Why would first graders need to know about anything in the middle east at that point of their lives. Knowledge of the judo-Christian history and influence should have already been conveyed to them in simple form in Sunday school. What the heck is wrong with teaching them about something closer to home and more important to them, like American history!? Sheesh.
There was no interest in teaching anything Jewish or Christian in public schools until it became cover for early teaching about “the Qur’an as the holy book of Islam, containing laws for daily living and many stories that appear in Jewish and Christian holy books.”
Most people assume that curriculum has been dumbed down. In the early grades, it's just the opposite. Topics are presented to students at a very young age, my opinion in many cases before they're developmentally or experientially ready for some of this. The idea is to start the topic when they're young and revisit it with more information when they're older.
It doesn't work. Once a student has been introduced to a topic, they think they know it. When it comes up again the attitude of most is "We already know it." In their minds, because they learned what was taught of it when they're younger, they think they know all of it. It's one reason they're so awful at percents and fractions and they think solving equations should be a group hands-on exercise.
As far as these history topics, I'm not surprised. The idea is to introduce kids to these topics when they're young so they are aware of the world. I was first intimidated when in a 5th grade class, I did not know who the first African emperor was.
Does it work? Yes, if the purpose is to identify and prod along the most capable students. Some students at a very young age have amazing knowledge in science, math, and other topics. The rest kind of get stopped by constant testing and evaluations, instead of just letting them develop in a sensible way.