Activity: Martyrdom and Its Context Within the Stories of Martyrs of Cordoba

5 mins - Quick write: ask students to define the word "martyr". Who would they define as a martyr in history? Why would they choose that as their idea of martyr?

15 mins - Popcorn reading: students will read the Martyrs of Cordoba story and call upon people randomly. Students will monitor each other to make sure that they are actually understanding the story.

15 mins - Students will generate questions about the text, including questions related to the geography of Cordoba and its proximity to Africa. Students should also generate questions pertaining to religion/Christianity and connect martyrdom with religion.

15 mins - Students will create a T-chart that categorizes the different questions they create: geography, religion, politics, etc. Students will have the opportunity to debate the different categories.

20 mins - Students will answer the created questions, paying greater attention to the assumptions they had about geography and martyrdom.