When was the Islamic Civilisation at its most glorious? - Teacher's Notes

The period often referred to as the Golden Age of Islamic Civilisation is highlighted in an educational unit that begins with a timeline illustrating the era when Islamic culture was at its zenith. This timeline is used not only to demonstrate the power and influence of the Islamic world during this time but also to juxtapose it with the contemporary state of Britain. The aim is to provide pupils with a comparative perspective, encouraging them to investigate what life in Britain was like during its 'dark ages', a term used to describe the relative lack of cultural and economic progress in Europe compared to the flourishing Islamic civilisation.

To enrich their understanding, pupils are directed to watch an educational video from BBC Teach that focuses on Baghdad in 900AD, a city that was a central hub of knowledge and innovation during the Islamic Golden Age. After viewing the video, students are tasked with collating facts about the Islamic civilisation, which they have learned from the video and other resources. These facts are then organised into bullet points on a provided worksheet, enabling students to clearly outline their findings and reflections on the advancements and achievements of the Islamic Golden Age. This exercise is designed to deepen their appreciation of the period's historical significance and its contributions to various fields of knowledge.