Contributor :
Kate Ehrlich
Action Plan
I am interesting in creating at least two lesson plans related to my time in Turkey. First, I want to create a world history lesson related to the reforms of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk and the impact of his reforms on Turkish society. Second, I would like to create a lesson related to sufism/Rumi for my World Religions class. I am sure there will be other topics/lesson ideas that come to my while I’m in Turkey and certainly photographs/materials that I can incorporate into my instruction.
Pre-Departure Preparation
I have been reading some non-fiection texts related to Turkey, including Istanbul: City of Majesty at the Crossroads of the World by Thomas F. Madden, Empress of the East by Leslie Peirce, and Ataturk: The Biography of the Founder of Modern Turkey by Andrew Mango. I am also reading some fiction by Eli Shafak and Orhan Pamuk and the poetry of Rumi.
In addition, I am trying to gather some quality primary/secondary sources that I could use in conjuction with the materials I acquire in Turkey to create complete lesson plans.
Preparation During Travel
During the trip, there are many spots on the itinerary that relate to these lesson topics. I also am arriving two days early, so I can better explore some of the mosques and other historic sites in Istanbul. These experiences will all connect to the lessons I plan to develop.