Students watch a video containing primary-source footage on the Iran hostage crisis. Then, they examine major turning points in U.S. Middle East policy, including the hostage crisis, the 1973 oil embargo, the 1978 Camp David peace accords, and the 1982 suicide attacks on U.S. Marines in Lebanon. Finally, students analyze U.S. foreign oil dependency and its implications.
Students read an overview of the United States’ complex relationship with the Middle East and review the lesson objectives. They are introduced to the Iran hostage crisis through a brief description and by watching Iran Hostage Crisis. Students then write a newspaper-style headline related to one of the events of the crisis and share it in a class table.
Teacher MovesIntroduce the experience by highlighting the objectives and the importance of oil in shaping U.S.–Middle East relations. After students view the video and post headlines, lead a brief discussion of their headlines and ask students to describe the current relationship between the United States and Iran. Transition to the next scene by noting that U.S. involvement in the Middle East has included both crises and efforts at peace and economic cooperation.
Students examine a map of the Middle East, locate key countries, and post one observation about the region’s geography. They then read selected sections from Stagflation and the Oil Crisis, The Presidency of Jimmy Carter, and Ronald Reagan: Foreign Policy to learn how Middle East events such as the 1973 oil embargo, the Camp David accords, the Iran hostage crisis, and the Marine barracks attacks in Lebanon shaped U.S. foreign and domestic policy. To check understanding, they complete a graphic organizer by writing brief explanations of each event.
Teacher MovesHighlight key geographic features and country locations as students share map observations. After the readings, invite volunteers to share the main idea of each event (oil embargo, Camp David accords, Iran hostage crisis, Marines in Lebanon) before moving on, using their responses to reinforce accurate summaries and clarify misunderstandings.
Students read selected sections of Global Connections: the Middle East to deepen their understanding of how the United States has interacted with Egypt, Iran, Israel and the Palestinians, and the broader region through diplomacy, military action, and oil policy. Imagining themselves as the newly elected U.S. president, they post a response explaining which U.S. Middle East policies they would maintain or change, using evidence from the text to support their ideas.
Teacher MovesShare an interesting or exemplary student response with the class and use it to spark discussion. Use the provided questions to guide conversation about the extent of U.S. interference in the Middle East, U.S. positions in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, and possibilities for reducing hostility between the United States and Iran. Encourage interested students to pursue additional research on these issues.
Students read about the central role of oil in the U.S. and global economy and examine comparative oil production data using Country Comparison: Crude Oil: Production. They answer a multiple-choice question identifying which of the top oil-producing nations are in the Middle East. Next, they watch a selected segment of 300 Years of Fossil Fuels in 30 Seconds, focusing on the narrator’s point of view about fossil fuels. Students post a response explaining the narrator’s perspective and whether they agree, then review classmates’ posts and reply to at least two with questions or positive comments.
Teacher MovesPrompt students to connect oil production data to U.S. dependence on Middle Eastern oil. After the video and discussion posts, encourage students to talk about differing views on fossil fuels, petroleum dependency, and the future of energy use, drawing on any prior knowledge from science courses. As appropriate, direct students to Fossil Fuels: Oil in the student pack for additional background on petroleum dependency.
Students complete the exit quiz by answering all the questions.
Teacher MovesFacilitate the assessment and use student data to evaluate understanding, address misconceptions, and identify areas for growth.
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