Students are introduced to the physical geography of Israel, Palestinian Territories, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon. They identify significant geographical features, population density, primary people groups, and significant geographical challenges for three of the countries. Then they research and develop a video script for the same aspects of Lebanon.
Students are introduced to the focus countries of Israel, the Palestinian Territories, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon and review the lesson objective. They view images of the region, respond to a word cloud prompt listing countries they think are part of the Middle East, and then use a map-based drawing tool to label any countries or bodies of water they can identify. Afterward, they compare and revise their labeled map using a provided reference map.
Teacher MovesPresent the lesson overview and objective, highlighting that the experience will focus on Israel and its neighbors within the broader Middle East. Clarify that the Palestinian Territories are not always shown as a country on maps and briefly explain the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Review student word cloud responses and map work, then use the reference map to correct misconceptions. Invite students to share what they already know about this region, including any awareness of ongoing conflicts.
Students use the internet to research the total area (in square kilometers) of Israel, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip, and enter their findings into a graphic organizer. They calculate the total area of the region and then answer multiple-choice questions identifying which country is largest, which is smallest, and which U.S. state is closest in size to the combined area of the five countries and territories, using a list of U.S. state areas for comparison.
Teacher MovesGuide students in locating reliable geographic data and support them as needed with unit conversions and calculations. After students complete the organizer and questions, prompt them to compare the size of this subregion to the broader Middle East and to reflect on how small these countries are relative to their prominence in world news. Organize students into small groups for upcoming collaborative work and ensure each group has a designated reporter.
Working in small groups, students watch three videos—Israel’s Geographic Challenge, Syria’s Geographic Challenge, and Jordan’s Geographic Challenge—to learn about each country’s significant geographic features, population distribution, main people groups, and key geographic challenges. They record notes and then complete a graphic organizer summarizing the main geographic challenges for Israel, Syria, and Jordan. Next, each group selects one challenge and posts to a shared wall explaining how that challenge might affect a country in practice.
Teacher MovesSet expectations for focused viewing and note-taking, emphasizing the four aspects students should track for each country. Support groups as they synthesize information into the organizer, steering them toward conclusions about limited natural resources (especially water) and diverse populations as major challenges. During the wall activity, prompt students to elaborate on how resource scarcity can drive imports, cooperation, or conflict, and how diverse populations can contribute to political instability or civil unrest, using examples from Israel, Jordan, and Syria to deepen understanding.
In their small groups, students research Lebanon’s geography using online sources, including Lebanon Facts, to gather information on significant physical features, where most of the population lives, main people groups, and key geographic challenges. They create a script for a short explanatory video about Lebanon that mirrors the structure of the earlier country videos, then either post the script to a discussion wall or share a link to a presentation created with a digital tool (such as Prezi or an online slide presentation). Finally, students review other groups’ scripts on the wall and participate in a class discussion comparing what they learned about Lebanon with the geographic challenges of Israel, Syria, and Jordan.
Teacher MovesSupport groups in locating and evaluating geographic information about Lebanon and in organizing their findings into a clear, coherent video script that addresses all required elements. Encourage effective use of digital tools where applicable. After scripts are posted, facilitate a whole-class discussion that draws out similarities and differences among the four countries, emphasizing how climate, resource distribution, and conflict shape the region. Prompt students to connect Lebanon’s challenges to those previously identified for Israel, Syria, and Jordan.
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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