Igniting the tinderbox

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Virginia Carroll Howard (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
Advisor
Jeff Jones

Abstract: "Igniting the Tinderbox" is intended as a nonfiction book and teacher's guide for middle school students to supplement the texts in the social studies curriculum. The book is a snapshot of Afghanistan between 1989 and 1996 as seen through the eyes of a middle school-aged Afghan boy, his mother, sister and a friend. As the characters live and remember historical events, students learn how world politics and the Afghan culture have impacted Afghanistan then and now. In seeing the world through their eyes, the students also learn about the music, art, traditions and other aspects of the culture that is Afghanistan. The teacher's guide provides background for each chapter, as well as suggested resources for further study, discussion questions and activities. All these help the students get into the characters' minds and understand Afghanistan better, as well as relate the Afghan culture and events to their own lives. Online resources include videos, which use Adobe flash, with the exception of one using Apple Quick Time (.mov). Linked photographs are jpegs and easily viewed online. When the students conclude the unit, I want them to have learned about another culture by understanding not just the "what" but the "why." They can extrapolate from the materials a better understanding of how decisions made today will affect generations to come and how one's worldview is influenced by the past, traditions and culture.

Additional Information

Publication
Thesis
Language: English
Date: 2011
Keywords
Afghanistan, Ahmad Shah Massoud, Mujahideen, Taliban
Subjects
Afghanistan $x Social conditions $y 20th century
Families $z Afghanistan
Afghanistan $x Social life and customs $y 20th century

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