GUEST BLOGGER M. O. YUKSEL
The holy month of Ramadan starts March 1st this year, and what better way learn about this special holiday then to engage in a fun STEM activity that dives into time zones and fasting hours across the globe. In my book, Ramadan Kareem, readers get a glimpse of Ramadan’s beautiful traditions and values, observed in unique ways in different countries around the world. Let’s extend that learning with this hands-on, time-zone hopping, globe-trotting STEM adventure!
As you read Ramadan Kareem aloud
- Point out key themes such as the importance of fasting during daylight hours and the global nature of Ramadan.
- Explain that since Ramadan is a floating holiday, its start date changes every year based on the lunar calendar (see back matter of the book for a more detailed explanation).
- Emphasize that Muslims all over the world observe fasting, but the number of hours they fast depend on where they live.
Materials needed
- A world map (physical or printable)
- String or yarn
- Scissors
- Sticky notes or small labels
- Markers
- A list of sunrise and sunset times for various cities during Ramadan (easily found online)
Introduce the concept of time zones
Show children a world map and explain that the Earth is divided into different time zones and that when the sun rises in one place, it may still be nighttime in another.
Mark key cities on the map
With the children, find the countries featured in Ramadan Kareem (see the fun interactive flag game in the back matter of the book for a list of countries).
Mark these cities on the map using sticky notes or small labels.
Add sunrise and sunset Times
For each city, write the sunrise and sunset times during Ramadan on a sticky note and attach it near the city. Explain that these times determine how long people fast each day.
Connect the cities with yarn
Use string or yarn to connect the cities on the map, creating a visual representation of the Earth’s time zones. For example, draw lines from one city to another to show how sunrise and sunset times differ globally.
Calculate fasting hours
Help the children calculate the number of hours between sunrise and sunset for each city. Write these numbers next to the sticky notes.
Discuss the results
Talk about how fasting hours vary. For instance, in cities closer to the equator, the length of the day stays pretty consistent, but in places far from the equator, the hours can be much longer or shorter depending on the season.
I hope you and your students enjoy this activity that blends geography, math, and cultural awareness, and encourages curiosity about how people in different parts of the world experience the same holiday in unique ways. Thank you for trying this activity and Ramadan Mubarak to all who celebrate!
Featured image credit: “Iftar Proclamation” by CityofStPete is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0.
M.O. Yuksel’s upcoming book, THE PRINCE OF STARS: Ulugh Beg’s Quest to Map the Stars and Seasons, releasing Sept 30th, is about a brilliant 15th-century astronomer who calculated the length of the year and why we have seasons. Yuksel is the award-winning author of several picture books, including IN MY MOSQUE, ONE WISH: Fatima al-Fihri and The World’s Oldest University, RAMADAN KAREEM, and SAMI’S SPECIAL GIFT: An Eid al-Adha Story. She lives in NJ, and loves visiting schools and presenting to kids of all ages. Visit her online at www.moyuksel.com
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