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6th grade · Social Studies · Unit 9 of 15

The Islamic World

Scholars, cities and empires

What your child practices

The early Islamic world and its cities, scholars and discoveries (such as algebra and optics), the exchange of knowledge through trade and translation, and the Ottoman Empire.

New York State Learning Standards learning standard: 6.6c; 6.7a · the spread of Islam, the caliphates, Baghdad and al-Andalus, and how Muslim scholars and traders spread ideas

How we explain it

Children can open this short lesson before they practice.

  1. Baghdad became the Abbasid capital in 762 and a center of learning and trade.
  2. The House of Wisdom translated books from many cultures. Fatima al-Fihri founded al-Qarawiyyin in Fez (859).
  3. Ideas spread through the Islamic world: Hindu-Arabic numerals (0 to 9) and paper-making.

Example: What are the numerals 0 to 9 often called? They began in India. Scholars in the Islamic world spread them. Answer: Hindu-Arabic numerals

The Islamic World in New York

In the New York State Learning Standards, this is unit 9 of 15 in 6th grade Social Studies, after Medieval Europe and before Trade Routes & Beliefs.

Gradelings describes a child's practice on this unit as Beginning, Approaching, Meeting or Exceeding (Four practice steps). That reflects practice, not a report-card mark: the teacher decides the mark.

Source: New York State Education Department (NYSED)

Sample questions

A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.

  1. Question 1

    How did paper-making reach Europe from Asia?

    • It was invented in Europe first.
    • It was never used in Europe.
    • Sailors carried it from the Americas.
    • It spread along trade routes through the Islamic world, and paper mills later appeared in Muslim Spain.

  2. Question 2

    During which month do many Muslims fast from dawn until sunset?

    • Ramadan
    • Vaisakhi
    • Diwali
    • Passover

  3. Question 3

    The numerals 0 to 9 used today are often called…

    • Mayan glyphs
    • Roman numerals
    • Egyptian symbols
    • Hindu-Arabic numerals

  4. Question 4

    Who was Ibn Battuta?

    • A Mongol general
    • A scholar from Morocco who traveled across Africa and Asia in the 1300s
    • A Spanish king
    • An Ottoman sultan

  5. Question 5

    Ibn Sina (Avicenna) wrote a medical text that was used for centuries. What was it called?

    • The Prince
    • The Book of Optics
    • The Republic
    • The Canon of Medicine

  6. Question 6

    How did the Hajj help ideas spread?

    • It ended trade.
    • It kept people apart.
    • Pilgrims were forbidden to speak.
    • Pilgrims from many lands met, shared news and carried ideas home.

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