Islamic Empire Trade Routes Activity

Discover the rich history and vibrant culture of the Islamic Empire with our engaging Trade Routes Activity! Perfect for students, this hands-on activity delves into the fascinating trade routes that extended from Mecca to Cordoba. Immerse your learners in the bustling markets, diverse cultures, and historic journeys that shaped the medieval world. Ideal for classrooms and homeschooling alike, this activity is designed to spark curiosity and promote a deeper understanding of historical trade networks.

The Islamic Empire is arguably one of the most prominent and influential times of history in the Middle East. As we study the Islamic culture and the rise of the empire, we notice that geography has a huge role in many different aspects.

This product gives students the opportunity to practice map and math skills as they try to figure out the best trade route to take from Mecca to Cordoba, Spain. Their goal is to spend the least amount of money possible. The provided maps have all the city locations and trade routes drawn for them, they just have to choose the way they want to take.

They will add up the miles they traveled and divide to figure out how much it would cost to travel on their route. They also have additional costs for traveling across rivers, seas or mountains.

Finally, they will total up their cost and will compare with the other groups to see who had the best route. They will also answer several analysis questions that discuss the activity and what they learned.

I typically use this activity in our Islamic Empire unit in my World History class, but it can also be used in a math class as a cross-curricular activity with problem solving and basic math. I have used this activity in both middle and high school. My students really enjoy the problem-solving aspect to this activity!

Students learn geography, math, planning, problem-solving, history and collaboration.

To do this activity, students will need:

• Pencil (for each student)

• Copy of “Islamic Trade Routes” packet for each student (INCLUDED)

• Optional: Calculator 

This product includes:

1. Teacher Directions-including prep info and materials needed

2. Teacher procedure

3. Student Packet-short reading, distances between cities table, walk through to determine cost, student blank map, analysis questions 

4. Student Packet Answers

5. Teacher Tips

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If you have any questions, feel free to email me at edventureswithmrsd@gmail.com.

Thank you!

Terms of Use: 

This item is a digital download from Edventures With Mrs. D. As such, it is for use in one classroom only. This item is also bound by copyright laws and redistributing, editing, selling or posting this item (or any part) on the Internet are all strictly prohibited without first gaining permission from the author. Violations are subject to the penalties of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. Please contact me if you wish to be granted special permissions.