Bringing to light our own tendencies to stereotype is a key step toward becoming open-minded and informed members of a world community. Use this rich resource to discuss the harmful effects of stereotyping, as well as to consider the...

In this lesson plan, students consider their prior knowledge about Palestinian leader Yasir Arafat and consider the immediate events surrounding his death. They then create timelines and write papers examining his political career.

Examine how the 'safe passage' for Palestinians between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank affects those living in Israel and reflects both conflict and cooperation between the Israelis and Palestinians. The class compares the perspective...

Africa and the Middle East are the focus of this Social Studies PowerPoint. After viewing many slides that are packed with historical facts, viewers answer questions such as, "How was the struggle for independence in Algeria different...

Oman is considered a traditional Arabian country, but it links the Persian Gulf nation to the rest of the world. An insightful video resource shows how Oman has maintained its traditional cultural roots, all while maintaining...

Lebanon has 18 people groups, each with its own history. The geography of the country mirrors this diversity, as one can ski in the morning and be on the beach by the afternoon. A video resource profiles the nation's complex history and...

Kuwait is the third largest oil producer in the world, but it is a global leader in water processing. The surprising characteristic is a result of the nation's desalination efforts, which started in the 1950s. A video resource showcases...

While Jordan is home to a rich history, it lacks the oil of its neighbors. Instead, tourism is its oil and a major source of income. The Middle Eastern nation, however, has had to take on many refugees, thanks to brewing crisis points in...

Israel is probably best know for its role in international conflict. The land has been central to all three Abrahamic faith traditions for centuries, but it's also home to a growing tech sector and an increasingly secularized population....

For most young learners, Iraq is synonymous with war. But its history includes the first written language, the cradle of civilization, the birth of three major religions, and a vibrant culture. A video resource showcases the lesser-known...

It's the world's second largest producer of oil, the largest producer of caviar, and home to numerous ancient and sacred landmarks. Iran—once the hotbed of Islamic conservatism—is also undergoing a cultural shift with a younger...

Difficult to pronounce and lesser known than some of its counterparts, Bahrain has the fastest growing economy in the Arab world. A video profile unravels the complex cultural, religious, and geographical characteristics of the rising...

The Silk Road connected the European, Middle Eastern, and Asian worlds. It also helped create the modern trade world. An analysis activity makes the importance of this Chinese innovation clear by asking participants to evaluate trades...

What should a president do when enemies take Americans hostage in a foreign revolution? Learners take a look at the dilemma through the eyes of Jimmy Carter during the Iran hostage crisis. Primary sources, analysis worksheets, and...

Scholars read and follow directions to locate and color landforms, bodies of water, cities, and countries on three maps—a map of the Nile River, a Nile and Mesopotamia regional map, and a map with today's current countries in the Middle...

The Middle East is known for its unique culture and often divisive cultural boundaries. A video summary, part of the an intriguing playlist about the world's greatest ideas, discusses how Arab civilization and culture has developed over...

The Middle East following World War I was created by European powers with their own interests at heart. The result was a region of the world that would consider itself second-class in their own nations. Through investigation of maps,...

The 1979 Iranian Revolution changed the identity of Iran, and in many ways, the Middle East as a whole. High schoolers learn more about the Persian region, history, and government in a brief but explanatory video from Crash Course World...

The pupils in your class have never known a time without constant conflict between the countries in the Middle East. An informative video from Crash Course World History covers the history of the Israeli/Palestine situation, the battle...

The stated goal of this resource is to provide learners with basic facts about and build empathy for Iraqi refugees. To do so elementary classes develop a plan for how to welcome refugees to their classroom. Middle schoolers read...

What types of countries embrace or deny freedom? Through a PowerPoint presentation, discussion, and analysis of political cartoons and news articles, your young historians will learn about the Arab Spring uprisings in Tunisia.

The distinction between Shiite and Sunni Muslims is an often misunderstood concept, yet very important for its implications in global affairs and for a more comprehensive understanding of the religion of Islam.

How do major religions, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, differ in how they view the role of individual freedoms within society, the definition of morality, and the importance of politically satisfying the greater good? Here...

Who was Golda Mier and what was her life like? Your pupils can find out through an article from a 1969 issue of TIME. The biography is about a page long, and provides information about her past and present. After completing the reading,...