Truman Library Lesson Plan - Israel
Teacher: Kate SutterGrade level: 9th Course: Geo-Economics
Describe the classroom or homework activity to be performed (individual assignment, cooperative learning, cross curricular, technology based, using artifacts and/or primary sources, etc.)
Students will analyze how political boundaries change with major world events by examining primary documents in small groups.
Rationale (why are you doing this?)
To help students understand that maps are not static, that governments rise and fall, and that maps reflect these changes
To supplement knowledge of ethnic and religious conflict in the Middle East
Required time frame: One class period
From where in this conference did you get the idea for this activity or assignment: Truman's recognition of Israel in 1948, Michael Benson's lecture
Lesson objectives - the student will:
____compare and contrast regional maps______
____be introduced to 20th century events shaping the Middle East and how they fit into overall Middle Eastern conflict______
___ realize that maps change as countries are formed or abolished___
District, state, or national performance and knowledge standards/goals/skills met (be specific when referencing):
_State:
___SS 2: Continuity and Change in MO, the US, and the world______
___SS 7: Use of Social Science tool, including maps______
_Local:
___01 Define and explain basic concepts of geography
___02 Basic ideas involved in population geography and demographics
___06 Identify major physical locations and cultural characteristics of Earth's regions__
Secondary materials (book, article, video documentary, etc.) needed - cite title and other detailed information:
__Truman Library Map Analysis Page (specific Middle East questions added)______
__For humorous example of the President's other concerns in 1948: Excerpt from Margaret Truman Daniels Harry S. Truman "White House Falling Apart" found online at
__Misc online historical maps covering change in the Middle East______
Primary sources (document, photograph, artifact, diary or letter, audio or visual recording, etc.) needed - cite detailed information:
____Maps of pre and post WWII/1948 Middle East______
___The following documents can be found in the online documents at the Truman Presidential Library: <
_April 18 1945 Stettinius to Truman
_May 1 1945 and June 16 1945, Grew to Truman___
_Nov 13 1945 Presidential Statement
_June 21 1946 Joint Chiefs of Staff report to Committee
_July 21 1947 Harry S. Truman Diary Entry
_March 25 1948 Presidential Statement
_June 11 1948 Map of Palestine Military Situation
_Sept 1948 telegram correspondance between Truman, Marshall, Lovett
_April 6 1949 Map of Palestine Military Situation
_Audio: Truman discussion Arab/Jewish conflict of 1948 (MP2002-307)
Technology required: ___digital projector/overhead copies of maps__ __DVD/VCR if videos desired___
(over)
Fully describe the activity or assignment in detail. What will both you and the students do?
_____Students will be placed in pairs/small groups and given maps by the teacher. (Maps should show Middle East region as it evolved from the WWI era to post-1948. Try to have a unique map for each person in the group) ____
_____Students will be given a modified Truman Library Map Analysis form, with questions added to make it specific for this assignment. Particularly, they will be asked to list countries found on each given map and determine if those countries remain constant over time, as well as how a forced large influx of an ethnic group might change the dynamics of a region.
Teacher will provide follow-up questions for reaching conclusions and discussion to bring questions about why this change has occurred.
Students will then be given documents regarding the recognition of Israel to have them discover the reasons for the political changes reflected by the maps
Assessment: fully explain your assessment method in detail or create and attach your scoring guide:
Each group will turn in the following:
1.Map Analysis page
2. 1/2 page answer to each of the following questions:
•Should countries which win wars get to choose or change the borders of other countries?
•What should be done about the people who have lived there and find themselves, maybe, now living in a new country?
•Why do you think America cares so much about the Jewish people and Israel, and what do many Muslim people think about it?