Overview


In 1937 Geraldine Rendel, wife of a British diplomat, traveled to the new Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. She kept a travelog that provides readers today with valuable insights into what the Kingdom was like at the time and how she made sense of a world that was very different from her own. The lesson activities focus on distinguishing between stereotypes and respectful approaches to a different culture; comparing past and present forms of transportation; and analyzing photographs as primary sources.

Pre-reading Warm Up


Focusing your mind and preparing to learn.


15-Minute Activity


In this activity, students find the evidence that supports the author’s thesis, distinguishing between stereotypes and respectful approaches to a different culture.
Common Core Standard Met
RH.9-10.1
Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources, attending to such features as the date and origin of the information.


30-Minute Activity


Students compare past and present by exploring how a trip like the Rendels’ might look today.
Common Core Standards Met
WHST.9-10.7

Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question) or solve a problem; narrow or broaden the inquiry when appropriate; synthesize multiple sources on the subject, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.

WHST.9-10.8
Gather relevant information from multiple authoritative print and digital sources, using advanced searches effectively; assess the usefulness of each source in answering the research question; integrate information into the text selectively to maintain the flow of ideas, avoiding plagiarism and following a standard format for citation.



Visual Analysis


Students examine photographs as primary sources, seeing what the images reveal about the time and place they were taken.
Common Core Standard Met
RH.9-10.9
Compare and contrast treatments of the same topic in several primary and secondary sources.