Pre-visit Programme

Pre- visit programme...

We recommend that some preparation work be done before we arrive.
 
looking at geographical location of the Middle East, climate etc,

Nomadic people, who they are, where they live.

Islamic art, why they use abstract geometric patterns.

Islam the religion, basic aspects.

The importance of storytelling... Key stage 2, 3, 4 -could be told about the Berber tradition of finding the story in one’s heart as a person’s goal in life and when that story has been found the person will have ultimate happiness and prosperity. Also Stories in the Middle East are like the veins running through the culture they sustain it, give it life and they keep all the differing parts working in harmony. Stories are also very important for education and keeping traditions alive; Scheherazade told stories so that she could heal her husband’s broken heart and teach him to live a better life.

I recommend that you use book for this preparation such as:
“Children just like me” by Barnabas and Anabel Kindersley,
“A Child's Introduction to the World: Geography, Cultures, and People - From the Grand Canyon to the Great Wall of China” by Heather Alexander and Meredith Hamilton.