Trans-Saharan Trade Expedition - Simulation

Students embarked on the journey of a lifetime today pretending to renact the travelers along the trans-Saharan trade network.  Students were split up--half becoming African traders and half becoming Arab traders.  Students chose a new name (African or Arab) and wore name tags to distinguish themselves.  Then, they randomly picked 10 trade items from a paper bag--the Arabs receiving items such as spices, incense, boiled candies, and Arabic and the Africans receiving items such as gold, salt, beads, and silver.  Students continued onto a message board on Edmodo introducing themselves, their trade items, and their feelings about their travels.  Then, students proceeded to "travel and trade" with one another. Students used language and gestures to communicate with each other trading items, bargaining, and walking away with new goods! After gathering their bounty of goods, students reflected  in writing on the journey, including the trade items students received and how they might use their items once at home.  They finally voted on the most popular trade items and used Google Translate to write in Arabic something they learned or learned to speak during their trade expedition.  Enjoy the fun-filled day in photos below!

Mini Mecca Models

Students modeled exemplary teamwork as they worked in teams of eight to construct a mini model of the city of Mecca--the origins of the religion of Islam--with the mosque as its focal point.  Each team of eight or nine was responsible for a different aspect of Islam including the mosque (Kabah, minaret, muezzin), trade (bazaar), spread of Islam (Muhammad, caliphs, conquest), and geography (Bedouin campsites).  Students began the activity with in-depth research and note-taking using Edmodo, where Miss Lukins had posted a variety of pictures, photos, web site links, a flythrough 3D video of the Kabah, a video of Muslims praying, and even MP3 music of a muezzin singing the call to prayer!  Then, students sketched a "blueprint" of their piece of the model in preparation for building.  Finally, students used their creativity to construct their piece of Mecca using art supplies, paper, paper plates/cups, and more!  Students worked together to make their pieces come together to recreate their version of this important city to Muslims.  Students then shared their creations at a class "Mecca Museum" in which students became "curators" and taught each other, while taking notes on "Unpacking Cultures" (systems, honor and beliefs, geography, and tools & technology).  Below you will see pictures of the process and finished products and reflections! Enjoy!