Learning and Teaching About Israel and the Middle East

Teaching and discussing Israel and the Middle East can sometimes be polarizing and emotionally charged. We recommend curricular resources based on primary sources, which enable teachers and students alike to unpack these complex topics in constructive ways. 

 

Ancient Israel

This lesson explores Israelite society in the context of ancient Mesopotamian and Egyptian civilizations. Learners will develop an understanding of ancient Israelites’ role in the ancient world and their lasting contributions to the Western World, and the development of Judaism as we know it today. This resource is common-core aligned and based on primary sources. 

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The Arab-Israel Conflict  

This five-lesson curriculum explores the history and background of the Arab-Israeli conflict and peace process. With an emphasis on primary sources, ICS’s resources are teacher-friendly and formatted to be easily implemented in the classroom.  This resource is common-core aligned and based on primary sources. 

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The Environment  

This lesson examines some of the major environmental challenges in the Middle East and ways that Israelis, Jordanians, and Palestinians, are cooperating to meet these challenges. This resource is common-core aligned and based on primary sources. 

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Religion and Politics in the Middle East

This lesson focuses on the complex and diverse religious landscape of Egypt, Israel, Lebanon, and Iran and considers the variety of ways that religion and politics are intertwined in each country. This resource is common-core aligned and based on primary sources. 

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