A Cultural Look at the Conflicts in the Mid-East
Grades 7-9 Social Studies
Author: Christine Archer-Davison, Parker, CO

The Middle East is a place of many conflicts. Since Israel became an independent nation in 1948, it has been the focus of many news articles. Israel has significance for three of the world’s largest religions -- Islam, Christianity and Judaism. It is important for students to examine how history, culture and geography influence a person’s perception toward a particular place.

Begin the unit with a background study of Middle Eastern physical and political geography. Students should also be familiarized with culture, current events and history of the regions. This particular lesson is just a piece of a Middle Eastern Unit. It is used to help students further comprehend the ongoing conflict in Israel, Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

• Students know how to use maps, globes and other geographic tools to locate and derive information about people, places and environments.
• Students know how personal knowledge and experience influence an individual’s perception.
• Students know the physical and human characteristics of places, and can use this knowledge to define and study regions for the purpose of interpreting patterns of change.
• Students know how culture and experience influence people’s perceptions.

Other Materials Required:

• British and the Jews Of Europe 1939-1945 by Wasserstein
• Israel by Mary Jane Cahill
• The Palestine Conflict by Neal Bernards
• Israel by Library of Nations

Students will work together in small groups of 4-5. Students will share the responsibility of researching, synthesizing and presenting their information. Groups will work in the classroom at computer stations and in the library.

Students will create presentations about the historical, geographical and cultural implications that have influenced the views of various groups of people found in the Middle East. Assuming the role of a Palestinian, Jew or Brit, students are to explore how their assigned group felt about Israel during the time when the Israeli state was formed. Presentations will be based on research in print and electronic media. Presentations will be delivered to the whole class and followed up with discussion. (See activity cards)

 

Activity #1 - Palestinians     Activity #2 - Current Events      Activity #3 - The Jews     Activity #4 - The British

Students are assessed on their ability to:

1. Address the inquiry questions in a suitable manner

2. Understand the points of view of various types of people

3. Synthesize information into diary format

4. Provide both physical and cultural reasons for the conflict that occurred in the Middle East

5. Evaluate and process geographical data

6. Present their work

7. Use technology

8. Write clearly

Click here to download the Adobe Acrobat version of this unit.