ALD Islam & Arab-Germans

Lesson: Kopfbedeckungen / Head Coverings

Theme: Building appreciation for diverse people and introduction to the "Kopftuchdebatte" in Germany

Standards: 1.1; 1.2; 1.3; 2.1; 3.2; 4.4; 5.1 and 5.2: possible with follow-up interviews, email exchanges, etc.

Level: High school, 3rd - 4th year

Purpose: Gaining insight into the cultural, political and religious implications of the Kopftuch.

Communicative Functions: Describe functions of various headdresses; describe functions and implications of the Kopftuch; present personal opinions regarding the Kopftuchdebatte.

Cultural Aspects: How people view and feel about the Kopftuch.

Modalities: Speaking, Reading, Writing.

Timeframe: Three class periods at 45 - 60 minutes

1. Einführung: “Wir sprechen über Kopfbedeckungen – Hüte, Mützen, Schals, Tücher, Helme, Kappen”

   Use a picture or wear some headdress to illustrate the topic.

   Students brainstorm: “What kind of headdresses do people wear and why do they wear them ? Think about several countries and cultures.”

   A. Individual brainstorming.
   B. Students share and create a class web.

2. Bilder mit verschiedenen Kopfbedeckungen (Arbeitsmittel 1)

   Students describe pictures with help of new vocabulary. (Arbeitsmittel 2)

   Identify also function and social, religious aspects: “Wer trägt diese Kopfbedeckung ? Wo ? Wann und warum ?

3. Das Kopftuch in Deutschland – ein viel diskutiertes, ein umstrittenes Thema.

   Zwei Interviews mit jungen Türkinnen (Arbeitsmittel 3),
   Vokabelhilfen (Arbeitsmittel 4).

   Divide the class in two groups to read the two interviews in small Groups: today the groups need to accomplish a first, quick read of their interview, tomorrow they will share the information with the class.

4. Kopfbedeckungen malen (Arbeitsmittel 5)
   Speaking exercise, review of new vocabulary

   Pair work: students read description to their partners who draw a quick sketch of the described item.

5. Hausaufgaben: “Beschreib eine Situation, in der dir deine Kleidung oder Kopfbedeckung peinlich waren. Beginnt mit “Als ich….”

   Students write short essays using past tense and “als”.

   Assessment: evaluate communicative proficiency, word order, past tense forms (Arbeitsmittel 6).

1. Vokabelwiederholung vom Vortag

   Students work fill in worksheet (Arbeitsmittel 7 and Answer Key).

2. Weiterarbeit an Interviews

   A. In groups again, students read the interviews and prepare to share brief statements that either Serap or Beratiye would make about wearing the Kopftuch. Examples: "Das Kopftuch gefällt mir" or "Mein Vater will, dass ich das Kopftuch trage." or "Alle Frauen in meiner Familie tragen das Kopftuch".

   B. Groups share statements about their interview. Two students act as scribes. Compile statements on board or overhead.

3. Vorlesen der Hausaufgaben

   Ask for volunteers to share their essays.

4. Vokabelaktivitäten

   Review and practice core vocabulary with one of these activities (Arbeitsmittel 8).

5. Hausaufgaben

   Hand out descriptions for tomorrow's role play. Students need to read the text and prepare statements for their respective characters (Arbeitsmittel 9).

1. Assessment: Vocabulary

   (Arbeitsmittel 10 and Answer Key)

2. Rollenspiel "Einladung zur Schulkonferenz mit dem Tagespunkt: Eine Lehrerin mit Kopftuch an unserer Schule" (Arbeitsmittel 9)

   Briefly review character descriptions (homework), devide students in groups and begin discussion. One or two students take the role of "Direktor" (und stellvertrender Direktor).

   Ephasise that each group must reach a decision.

   Allow at least 20 - 25 minutes for discussion. Then groups share their decision.

3. Follow-up discussion (English or German):

   "Which religious symbols do people wear ? Where and why do people where them ? Should religious symbols we allowed in schools and the workplace"

4. Assessment: Hausaufgabe
   Schriftliche Zusammenfassung: a) "Was sagen Serap und Beratiye?"
   und b) "Deine Meinung zum Thema Kopftuch".

   (Arbeitsmittel 11)

   (Rubrics for evaluation and Arbeitsmittel 10)

• GERM/WAGS 226 To Veil or not to Veil: Germany and Islam
  This course is taught at Middlebury College and is designed for undergraduate students of German and Women's Studies. It adopts a comparative and interdisciplinary perspective on gender construction in Germany as it relates to Islam. Readings are in English.
• GERM/WAGS 426 To Veil or not to Veil: Germany and Islam
  This course is taught at Middlebury College and is designed for undergraduate students of German and Women's Studies. It examines the many aspects of Germany's relationship to Islam. Readings are in German.

Useful Links:

These links will connect you to several different sites that will give you and your students a variety of information regarding Muslims and their culture, history, religion, family life, and issues surrounding their roles as German citizens.

http://www.wshoffmann.de/artikel/islam.html
This website contains definitions and explanations regarding familiar words and terms in the Islamic culture.

http://www.isoplan.de/aid/2001-4/islam.htm - not currently available
This website contains graphics and descriptions of the five pillars of Islam according to Mohammed.

http://www.fes-online-akademie.de/download/pdf/ISLAMCHARTA.PDF - not currently available
This website provides information describing 20 separate beliefs pertaining to the Islamic culture.

http://www.dii-edu.de/eng/Germany.pdf
This website links you to an article dated from the early 1960s. It relates the struggle of the Muslim population to integrate into the German population at large after being "recruited" to join the German work force.

http://www.wshoffmann.de/page/glossar.html
This website contains a glossary from A-Z of common Islamic terms with concise definitions. (In German)

http://www.understanding-islam.com
This website is an introduction to the religion of Islam, Muslim history and civilization, the rights of women in Islam, converts to Islam, Islam in the West today, plus family life. (In English)

http://www.islamicity.com
This website is a news/information site designed by Muslims for Muslims, on current issues about Muslims. This is an interesting site for students to develop themes/topics for papers as well as for teachers to create ideas for classroom discussions. (In English or Arabic)

http://www.berlin.de/imperia/md/content/sengsv/intmig/doku/zahlen_daten_... - not currently available
This website gives the reader access to a book containing statistical information regarding numbers, dates, and facts of the integration and migration of Muslims in Berlin.

A list of Arab-German writers, artists and musicians prepared by Mohamed Esa (McDaniel College) - Includes brief biographies, images, and additional links to Arab-German sites.