Countries of Middle East Lesson Plans

Sixth graders read "Seven Daughters and Seven Sons" and examine aspects of Middle East culture and geography. They define vocabulary from the book and map locations described in the book.

Young scholars compare maps of the Middle East using National Geographic's Hot Spot: Iraq, and a map of their own region, looking for similar features. They fill in and label their own blank outline maps of the Middle East and the United States.

Students explore many of the countries in the Middle East, developing research-based posters and a spider web illustrating the relationships among the countries. They write letters to fictional peers in Middle Eastern countries.

Students examine basic facts about the Middle East by exploring maps of the region. They conduct Internet research on National Geographic's Hot Spot: Iraq website, draw and label a map, and compare and contrast the geographic features of the U.S. and the Middle East.

Students explore the cities of Cairo, Istanbul, Jerusalem, Mecca and Tehran.  In this Middle East lesson plan, students complete a map, research one of the five the cities and prepare a presentation that includes details about the city.  Students also create a musical instrument that these five cities are known for.

Students investigate the countries of the Middle East. In small groups, they conduct Internet research, conduct a debate, draw and label a map, and present their information to the class in the form of a presentation.

Students research countries in the Middle East. They explore the differences and hardships in each area. Using a specified website, and in groups, students examine the economy, government, military, people and geography of given Middle Eastern countries. They prepare a presentation for the class.

Students investigate the lifestyle of Gandhi by creating a Venn Diagram.  In this biographical activity, students compare the philosophies of Martin Luther King Jr. and Gandhi while discussing their teaching methods.  Students utilize the web to research Pakistan and Afghanistan before creating a Venn Diagram based on Gandhi and MLK.

Fourth graders study the geography, people, history, governments, and economies of the Middle East. They develop a basic vocabulary of Arabic terms and work with various materials in creating an aesthetically pleasing, easy-to-understand board game for their own use (and for use by their peers).

Students investigate the cease-fire between Israel and Lebanon in August of 2006. The geographic region known as the Middle East is examined and maps created with information on border and territory disputes.