Oct. 11 and 12

Before starting our unit on the rise of Islam I wanted to introduce the concept of culture. Consequently students are beginning a week-long project that is called "The Island." (see directions below)We'll work on it in class all week and the final product will be due next Tuesday (Oct. 19).

The Island: A Study of Culture

This week each of you will complete a diary project that is based on the elements of culture that we will study in class. Remember, for our purposes, culture is defined as the customs, the way of life, the art and the beliefs of a large group or society. A way to remember each aspect (or part) of culture is to remember the acronym C.L.A.B.

The Scenario. You’ve been stranded on an island. On this island (the one you’ve created) there is EVIDENCE that a large group or society lived there long ago. They have long since vanished, but have left artifacts or evidence, of their culture on the island. The project you complete will explain the things you find on the island that provide clues about the culture of those people.
Your project will consist of 12 things.

1. A title page that includes an illustration and a name for the past people.
2. A page that describes the customs of the past people
3. A page that includes illustrations about the customs of the past people
4. A page that describes the way of life of the past people
5. A page that includes illustrations about the way of life of the past people
6. A page that describes the art of the past people
7. A page that includes illustrations of the art of the past people
8. A page that describes the beliefs of the past people
9. A page that includes illustrations about the beliefs of the past people
10. A map of the physical features of the island (at least ten)
11. A map that shows the evidence of the past group of people
12. A summary page that describes your conclusion about the culture of the lost people


You will complete each section on handouts that I provide for you and then glue them into your diary with the exception of the maps, which may be drawn in the book itself. However, you may also draw the maps on loose paper and then glue them into your diary if you prefer.

You will need to imagine, and then explain, TWO examples for each category. Consider the weather, vegetation zones, physical features and other elements of the island that would dictate how a group of people would have lived there. For example, if the island is warm it would be logical that the people there would dress for warm weather and not wear warm furs all the time. You may want to consider the cultures of Africa, or island peoples as you begin to create the culture that existed on the island long ago.

BE CREATIVE! Remember, however, that you will have to draw and explain in writing the examples you find (the evidence) on the island. Don’t create elements that will be impossible to draw, or difficult to explain in writing. You will have class time to complete this assignment, but some work might need to be done