Professional Commentary
The lesson features a mock peace summit on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict with students assuming the role of world leaders. Students research the most dearly held conditions for peace and identify where the leader would be willing to compromise or trade-off issues. A primer on the Middle East provides background information on Zionism, British Mandate in Palestine, 20th century wars in the region, the PLO, and previous peace attempts. Several other newspaper and PBS resources are listed to suppport instruction and guide student research. As a culminating group project, the lesson guides students to follow a detailed process to conduct a peace summit, addressing issues on borders and settlements, security, refugees, and Jerusalem. At the end of the lesson, students write a reaction paper about the process and predict the outcome of the peace summit. If any members on the committee refuse an agreement, students note possible consequences. The lesson will require 5 days to complete. (author/jm/vm)
Ohio Social Studies Academic Content Standards (2010)
Course: Modern World History
Historical Thinking and Skills
3.
Historians develop theses and use evidence to support or refute positions.
4.
Historians analyze cause, effect, sequence, and correlation in historical events, including multiple causation and long- and short-term causal relations.
The Cold War (1945-1991)
20.
Religious diversity, the end of colonial rule, and rising nationalism have led to regional conflicts in the Middle East.
Globalization (1991-Present)
25.
Political and cultural groups have struggled to achieve self-governance and self-determination.
Course: Contemporary World Issues
Civic Participation and Skills
7.
Individuals can participate through non-governmental organizations to help address humanitarian needs.
National Security and International Diplomacy
17.
Economic, political and social differences between global entities can lead to conflict unless mitigated through diplomacy or cooperative efforts.
Social Studies Standards (2001)
People in Societies
Grade Level Indicators (Grade 9)
1.
Analyze examples of how people in different cultures view events from different perspectives including:
- Creation of the state of Israel;
- Partition of India and Pakistan;
- Reunification of Germany;
- End of apartheid in South Africa.