Understand the factors which affect the lives of teenagers in Iran, Palestine, and Israel; identify the characteristics of a teenager's family life, schooling, and typical day, evaluate the relative importance of these factors, such as, social class, political stability, urban or rural setting, and gender.

So much of our media coverage of the Middle East focuses on war, the politics of religion, and battles over territory and undoubtedly colors our understanding of what daily life is like for people in this region. Teenagers, no matter where they live in the Middle East, are determined to live their teen years with hope and dignity, but they are often challenged by the charged political turmoil of the region. The importance of religion in the cultures of Iran, Israel, and Palestine is often a determining factor in the daily life of a teenager. The degree to which a family is secular or religious, the social status of a teen's family, and whether a teenager lives in a rural or urban setting seem to be the most significant factors.

2 class periods

• Student Activity Sheet
• 3-Column Table Graphic Organizer
• Writing Rubric

Students will have the opportunity to write a newspaper article (see Extension below)

What are the characteristics of the cultures of Iran, Palestine, and Israel that have the greatest impact on the lives of teens? How do these factors influence family life, the school experience, and a typical day?

Point of View Students will write a diary entry from the point of view of a teenager living in Iran, the Palestinian Territories, or Israel. Students will research the issues confronting teenagers posed by political instability, the influence of religion, as well as the circumstances of their family.

Have students research the topic using the provided links. Encourage them to use the suggested graphic organizer as they read the articles.

On the Ben Yehuda pedestrian mall in Jerusalem. Photo by Moshe Milner. Courtesy of the Government Press Office, State of Israel.

To start students thinking about the daily life of teenagers in the Middle East, have them examine the photograph.

Key questions students should answer are:

• What does this photograph suggest about this family's shopping trip?
• How might the childrens' behavior be affected by the presence of this weapon?

Distribute the Student Activity sheet. Tell students that they will research the daily life of a teenager in Iran, Israel, or Palestine. Have students consider the following topics:

• Gender roles
• Urban or rural setting
• Political stability
• Social class
• Degree of religious piety

Remind students to include sensory details, and elements of setting and character as they examine the roles and challenges of teenagers living in the Middle East. Suggest that they also include illustrations, parts of songs, or pieces of dialogue.

You may wish to have students share their diary entries with the class.

Use the Writing Rubric to assess the students' performance.

Have students reflect on their performance and use the list of expectations to judge how well they met the criteria.

Ask students: How might a parent of this teenager write a different diary entry?

Newspaper Article — Have students use World Cultures Today to conduct research and write a newspaper article about the lives of teenagers in another part of the world.