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Comparing Modern and Ancient Ideas of Ethnicity and Identity
Explore ethnicity and identity with a research and writing assignment. Class members conduct online research, looking in particular at images and carefully noting down their sources on notecards. They read about identity and compose...
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History of Tiles: Early Tile Designs - The Middle East
Students create a presentation on Middle Eastern art. In this art history lesson, students will research Middle Eastern art, specifically focusing on the Alhambra Palace and Moorish-inspired tile design. They will use information...
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Fascinating Figures: The Middle East from the 20th Century to Present
Students examine the leaders of the Middle East. For this Middle East lesson, students read biographies regarding featured twentieth century leaders of Egypt, Israel, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Libya, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, and Yemen. Students...
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Finding The Middle Ground
Learners examine the recent truce between the Israeli and Palestinian governments. They explore the turbulent history of these groups and the recent developments from the viewpoints of Middle Eastern nations in preparation for a mock...
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Unmasking the Middle East
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.
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Iran Hostage Crisis: Reading Primary Documents
Following brief instruction about the Iran Hostage Crisis during Jimmy Carter's presidency, small groups read three-page sections from the diary of hostage Robert C. Ode. They write editorials from the perspective of either U.S. citizens...
University of Chicago
Using Artifacts for Clues About Identity
Learn about the ancient Near East through a close examination of ancient artifacts. Lead your class into analysis by first observing an artifact as a class. Pupils can then work in pairs to analyze the other artifacts and compile a list...
University of Chicago
Addressing Stereotypes
How is a stereotype defined, and what are some mechanisms we can use to combat negative stereotyping? Your young historians will discuss how and why stereotyping occurs, as well as consider the roots of modern conceptions of the Middle...
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Great Cities of 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. ...
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End of Mandates and the Middle East
Ninth graders investigate the original mandates of the League of Nations regarding the Middle East. They listen to a lecture/PowerPoint presentation on the end of the mandate system, and complete a fill-in-the-blank worksheet that...
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Discovering the Middle East (Past & Present)
Students, after being assigned a specific Middle Eastern Country, research various aspects/statistics as well as historical information on their country. They combine their acquired information in an oral presentation and written report....
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History Lesson Plan: The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
Students explore the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In this Middle Eastern history instructional activity, students discover the ancient and contemporary history of Palestine in a lecture format. Students research primary and secondary...
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Trouble for the United States in the Middle East: The Reagan-Bush Years
Learners examine U.S. foreign affairs with the Middle East during the Reagan and Bush presidencies. In this Middle East lesson, students watch video segments, examine maps, and listen to music regarding the relationship between the U.S....
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Ancient River Civilizations
Students investigate the growth of the Ancient River Civilizations. In this world history instructional activity, students compare and contrast ancient and modern maps of the area of river civilizations.
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Syria's Role in the Middle East
Pupils hypothesize why Syria and the U.S. should find common ground in their relationship as it pertains to the future of the Middle East.
University of Chicago
Exercise in Conflict Resolution
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...
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A Crossroads in Israel
Students explore Middle Eastern relations. In this current events lesson, students research the listed Web sites that include information about the history of the conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians. Students determine how...
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A Kingship Rested in Peace
Students investigate, by decades, important events in Middle Eastern history, King Hussein of Jordan's influence on these events and how it affected U.S. foreign policy and produce a timeline representing the five decades in King Hussein...
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What Is the History of the Consumption of Rice?
Sixth graders research the history of rice consumption. In this rice consumption lesson, 6th graders read a study guide and answer comprehension questions about two rice dishes and rice cultivation.
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Project-Based Learning: Israel
Students explore the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In this Middle Eastern history lesson, students participate in 4 weekly activities that require them to research the conflict and presents their findings to their classmates.
University of Chicago
What IS the Difference Between Sunni and Shi'ite Muslims?
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.
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Exploring Islamic Lands
Young scholars examine the lives of Islamic teens. In this global studies lesson, students explore selected Internet sites to discover the attributes of Islam, the cultural traditions of Islam, and information regarding Middle Eastern...
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The Sands of Arabia
Sixth graders apply geographic information to the study of World History. In this Geography lesson, 6th graders create a political/physical map of the Middle East, develop questions and answers about the culture of the Middle East, and...
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OPEC and the Energy Crisis
Learners color the Middle East Nations of OPEC on outline maps. They discuss and watch a video about the United States reliance on oil producing nations of the Middle East. They participate in a discussion of the problems of the gas...