Contributor :
Diana Tavender
Action Plan
In New York State, our 6th grade social studies curriculum covers the geography and history of the Eastern Hemisphere, including the development of cultures, civilizations, and empires, as well as interactions between societies and cultures. Turkey is a country that has played an important role in this history due to its position at the intersection of cultural influences. I hope to learn more about Turkey’s history and culture so I can bring this knowledge to my 6th graders in a more engaging and authentic way. I am also interested in learning more about the different religious practices in Turkey because world religions is another component of 6th grade social studies.
I have always found that my students are more engaged in lessons when I have visited a place and bring back first-hand knowledge and personal stories to share with them. I plan to take many pictures and notes when we visit the historical sites. I will then create a presentation of my pictures and a collection of stories and experiences. I also plan to purchase items from the markets we visit that will be shared during our lessons.
Pre-Departure Preparation
I am reading about the culture and history of Turkey. I have also been learning basic words and phrases in Turkish.
Preparation During Travel
I plan on visiting St. John’s Basilica and Isa Bey Mosque during our visit to Selçuk so I can gain knowledge about the religious influences in Turkey. I will take many pictures during our visits the historical sites of Troy and Gallipoli. Additionally, I will be taking the optional Day 1 tour of Istanbul to visit some of the lesser-visited districts, the ancient Constantinople city walls, the Greek and Jewish districts, the Ottoman palaces, and the Tekfur Palace. The stories I hear and the pictures I take will be shared with my students in a presentation during our lessons.