Kite+Runner+Wikispace+Groups

** Mrs. Overly will give a general overview of Afghanistan’s government instability over time. The time line should include which religious was in charge and how they lost their position. Timeline should include any foreign or domestic wars, identify the leaders who are greatly revered and point out any signs of corruption. **
 * Timeline of Instability **

** Class Separation ** Group Members: Alex K., Sydney, Melissa, Aaron In the novel, there is a clear distinction between the two classes of people in Afghanistan (The Hazaras and the Pashtuns) Each of you should choose one group for the presentation. Help the class understand the religious roots of these differences and how violence has defined the relationship between the two for hundreds of years. Identify where the different classes have made progress and been pushed back. Make sure that you also include one of the most famous atrocities that took place in Mazāri Sharīf.

** Muslim Faith ** Group Members: Morgan, Taylor, Mike, Sierra There is very little education about the beginnings of the Muslim faith in American public schools today. Teach the class about the very interesting beginnings of Islamic faith which dates back to a very familiar Christian story in the Bible. Identify the five pillars of Islamic practice, the most important holidays of the year, and how this faith has split into major divisions over the course of history.

** Russians in Afghanistan ** Group Members: Joe, Kevin, Amanda W.,David E., What were the Russians doing in Afghanistan? How did communism find a doorway into this very God fearing country? What did the Russians have to gain and why was the United States so interested in keeping Russia out? Who did America side with in order to make this secret mission possible?

** Muslims Misconceptions ** Group Members: Joanna, Christian, Brandi, Angela C. No religion has encountered as much scrutiny in the first decade of the 21st century like the followers of Islam. Search the internet and you will easily find examples of violence against Muslims all across America. Provide very recent examples. What organizations are involved in changing the opinion of America towards violence and what organizations fuel the hatred?

** The Shah-nameh / Rostam and Sohrab ** Group Members: Kevin O, Clayton, Valinda, Jasmine The Shah-nameh is the celebrated work of the epic poet ** [|**Ferdowsī**], in which the Persian national epic found its final and enduring form. Written for Sultan Ma **** ḥ **** mūd of Ghazna and completed in 1010, the Shāh-nāmeh is a poem of nearly 60,000 verses, mainly based on the [|**Khvatay-nāmak**], a history of the kings of Persia in Pahlavi (Middle Persian) from mythical times down to the 7th century. For nearly 1,000 years, it has remained one of the most popular works in the Persian-speaking world and the inspiration for beautiful paintings and graphic art. The story of Rostam and Sohrab is one of the most popular stories and is well known by most children living in the Middle East. This group will introduce this epic story book and give a general overview of the content and conflict of these stories. What makes an epic hero in this part of the world? What is valuable to these characters? Why are these stories so attractive to young children? **

** Taliban in Control ** Group Members: Aaron B., TONE, Jalen, Jesse Describe the Taliban’s rise to power in Afghanistan. Be sure to include their initial warm arrival to Kabul and help the reader understand how systematically, this group followed the seven steps to take over that we reviewed in TFA. Be sure to include pictures of the soccer stadium, burquas, Taliban beards, and any other detail mentioned in //The Kite Runner.//

** Women in Afghanistan ** Group Members: Travis, Shilpa, Mike T., Angela M. There are characters in this novel who are much overlooked, but play an important role in maintaining the historical accuracy of the civil rights movements in Afghanistan. Trace the progress and oppression of women in Afghanistan over the last thirty-forty years and help us understand why the author includes Sonobaur in this story.

** Taliban Today ** Group Members: Cindy, Jeff, Chris B., Steve, Tyrone This group will update the class on the current status and progress of the Taliban forces in Afghanistan. Are they still considered a threat to US forces? Have there been recent headlines regarding this group and where are the Taliban located these days? THIS is a great topic.