Honoring Muslim Traditions

Honoring Muslim Traditions lesson plan

How much do we know about Islamic traditions? Use your understanding to express what you have learned in a beautiful display that communicates your growing awareness.

  • 1.

    Islam has unique traditions and practices. Many are universal, and others are specific to an area or group. Start your exploration by listing the things you already know about Muslims and questions you have. As a class prepare a dramatic presentation of your understandings of Islam. This is one way to demonstrate what you have learned.

  • 2.

    Cover your art area with newspaper. With Crayola® Premier™ Tempera and Brushes, paint a base color on a large piece of paper. Air-dry the paint.

  • 3.

    Cut small black paper squares all in the same size with Crayola Scissors. Make enough for each child in the class to design one or more. Create traditional Islamic geometric and floral patterns on the squares with Crayola Watercolors. Air-dry the paint.

  • 4.

    Highlight your designs with gold Crayola Premier Tempera. Air-dry the paint.

  • 5.

    Cut cardboard into the same size squares. With Crayola School Glue, attach each decorated piece to a cardboard square. Arrange the squares in a formal pattern. Leave wide borders around each piece. Glue the squares to the base. Air-dry the glue.

  • 6.

    Share your thoughts and understandings about Islamic beliefs. Record your reflections (words and designs) on black paper with Crayola Gel Markers. Cut them into narrow strips. Glue them between the squares for a masterpiece of understanding.

Benefits

  • Students represent their new knowledge about the Islamic traditions and artistic expression.
  • Students interpret their understanding graphically and visually with words and images.
  • Students work together to create a unified artwork to represent their understandings of Islamic traditions.

Adaptations

  • Compare contemporary maps with ancient ones to locate the places that hold importance to Muslims. Find out more about why they are so sacred.
  • Assessment: Evaluate each child’s square and paper strip for authenticity and level of understanding about Islamic traditions.