History and legacy: Empires, borders and religion
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how religion and historical empires have shaped the Middle East.
Key learning points
- Judaism, Christianity and Islam began in the region.
- Empires shaped borders in the Middle East.
- Colonial rule created modern political borders.
Keywords
Judaism - the religion observed by many Jewish people, characterised by belief in one God and a religious life based on the Torah and the Talmud
Christianity - the religion followed by Christians, based on the person and teachings of Jesus Christ
Islam - the religion followed by Muslims, centred on the belief in one God, Allah, and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad
Empire - a group of countries or regions ruled by one leader or country
Colonialism - when one country takes control of all, or parts, of another country
Common misconception
Christianity is the oldest religion that originated in the Middle East.
Judaism is almost 2000 years older than Christianity.
Teacher tip
This lesson requires sensitivity when taught as it touches on themes which are very controversial. There are possibilities for a more in-depth analysis of modern-day conflict and the implications on borders, however, the way this is taught will be influenced by each school's context.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the keywords to their meanings:
A supply of underground water
Watering crops using controlled systems
Shortage of something needed
Removing salt from seawater
Q2.Which of these rivers flows through the Middle East?
Q3.Which country in the Middle East relies heavily on desalination to meet its water needs?
Q4.Which of these challenges makes water access difficult in the Middle East?
Q5.How can irrigation help in dry areas?
Q6.Which of these countries has faced serious water shortages in recent years?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Match the keywords to their meanings:
A religion based on belief in one God and the Torah
A religion centred on Jesus Christ and his teachings
A religion based on Allah and the Prophet Muhammad
A group of lands ruled by one power
Taking control of another country’s land and people
Q2.Where did all three religions – Judaism, Christianity, and Islam – begin?
Q3.Which of the following is an effect of colonialism in the Middle East?
Q4.Some people think Christianity is the oldest religion from the Middle East.
Which statement is most accurate?
To help you plan your 9 geography lesson on: History and legacy: Empires, borders and religion, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 geography lesson on: History and legacy: Empires, borders and religion, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 geography lessons from the The Middle East: How have natural resources shaped the Middle East? unit, dive into the full secondary geography curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.