ING

Presentations Catalog: Grades 7-12

ING provides valuable educational resources to K-12 teachers, administrators and staff. Our interactive presentations for middle and high school students are aligned with the California State Board of Education History-Social Science content standards, and are intended to supplement your curriculum. ING teaches about world religions, including Islam, in the context of religious pluralism and in accordance with the First Amendment Center guidelines.

The following catalog provides a comprehensive listing of presentations available for order for Grades 7 - 12. In addition, you can scroll down to see a variety of different tools and resources that are available to help your students develop a better understanding of Islam and other major world religions and traditions.

As a non-profit organization, ING provides these services at no charge to schools.

Interactive onsite presentations about Muslims and their faith

In light of ongoing conflicts worldwide and the threat of terrorism that have both served to increase stereotypes and misperceptions about Muslims, it is important for students to meet American Muslims and dialogue with them face to face. ING offers teachers the opportunity to invite American Muslim speakers to visit your classrooms. Upon your request, they will deliver presentations that are specially designed for middle and high school students to supplement the study of Islamic civilization and Muslim culture in the context of social studies and history. There is no charge for these presentations. 

Interfaith panels representing the five major world religions

Interfaith speaker panels are ideal for enhancing student learning in high schools where the subjects of world history, comparative religions, culture and/or diversity are part of the curriculum. Consider hosting a panel in an assembly for the entire student body or combining several classes of students. Certified speakers currently represent Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Judaism.

The Interfaith Speakers Bureau offers two types of panels. Choose a panel with up to five interfaith speakers who provide an introduction to each of their religions and address a topic of your choice; or, request the Muslim and Jewish panel for an overview of these two religions and their commonalities and shared interests as Americans.

To learn more about the this program, please visit Interfaith Speakers Bureau. To invite an interfaith panel to your classroom, complete the online request form or call ING at 408.296.7312, and ask for Henry Millstein.

Recommended Educational Resources for Teaching World History, World Religions and Global Studies

CURRICULUM AND CONTENT

Access Islam
Lesson plans, timelines and vocabulary lists for teaching students in grades 4-8 about Islamic holidays, traditions and cultures.

Teaching About Religion: Do's and Don'ts

Questions and Answers Regarding Teaching About Religion in Public Schools

Source: A Teacher’s Guide to Religion in the Public Schools, First Amendment Center

Is it constitutional to teach about religion?

ING and the First Amendment Center

For more information, please refer to "Finding Common Ground: A Guide to Religious Liberty in Public Schools, 2007 Revision" by Charles C. Haynes and Oliver Thomas. This publication can be downloaded from the First Amendment Center website.

Calendar of Important Islamic Dates

2012-2013 CALENDAR OF IMPORTANT ISLAMIC DATES

Recognizing these important dates not only brings awareness of the diversity within the student population, but also instills pride in Muslim students who celebrate them. Muslim students may be embarrassed or shy to acknowledge these practices or holidays, which are not yet a part of the dominant American culture. We hope this information will be useful.

Ramadan Information Sheet

Joining more than 1.5 billion Muslims around the world
AMERICAN MUSLIMS WILL OBSERVE THE MONTH-LONG FAST OF RAMADAN
BEGINNING AUGUST 1st, 2011

Introduction
Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic calendar, which is based on a 12 month lunar year of approximately 354 days. Because the lunar year is 11 days shorter than the solar year, each lunar month moves 11 days earlier each year. It takes 33 solar years for the lunar months to complete a full cycle and return to the same season. This year, the month long fast of Ramadan is set to begin on Monday, August 1st, 2011. The month traditionally begins and ends based on the sighting of the first crescent of the new moon. Starting on August 10th, Muslims throughout the United States and the rest of the world will begin to search the sky for the new crescent, or in some cases, they will follow a pre-determined date based on astronomical calculation.

Hajj Information Sheet

Joining more than 1.5 billion Muslims around the world
AMERICAN MUSLIMS WILL CELEBRATE EID AL-ADHA
(FESTIVAL OF THE SACRIFICE) ON NOVEMBER 6, 2011*

Introduction
American Muslims join millions of Muslims from around the world to prepare for a journey of a lifetime and take part in the Hajj, the Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca. The basic acts of Hajj last for five days during the 12th month of the lunar Islamic calendar called Dhul-Hijjah.

Islamic New Year Information Sheet

November 26th, 2011 will mark a new year in the Islamic calendar, which commences the year 1432 A.H. The Islamic calendar dates back to the migration of the Prophet Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina in the year 622 C.E. (Common Era), which is known as the Hijra. The Hijra marks a turning point in the history of Islam; the importance of this event is reflected in the fact that it marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar, rather than the birth of the Prophet Muhammad or the first Qur’anic revelation in 610 C.E.