6-D-1+GASC+Lesson

__**Conflict: The Jordan River**__


 * __Objectives:__**

Students will be able to describe how the Jordan River has caused conflict for the countries of Israel, Syria, and Jordan.

Students will be able to offer solutions on how to solve the conflict over the Jordan River.


 * __Procedures:__** The essence of the lesson: three countries must share the Jordan River. What one does with it (damns, irrigation) affects the amount of water the other countries get.

1. I will have the students listen to the 70’s folk song //River of Jordan// by Pete Yarrow. **(concrete)** 2. After they listen to the song, I will pair them up and give each student pair a copy of the lyrics and have them try to interpret the song. **(global: interpreting) (abstract: reading words)**. Students will then share their interpretation of the song. 3. I will then introduce the lesson by giving the reasons behind the song and the interpretation of the song. **(concrete)** 4. As a class, we will discuss the conflict over the Jordan River by reading from the social studies textbook. **(abstract)** I will give them additional information, which will include specific conflicts over the river, the dates, and the result of the conflict. **(sequential)** I will follow that up by having them fill in the missing information in their note-packets, which is the usual pattern in my class **(sequential)** 5. Looking at the big picture, students will state the problem. (One River/Three countries) **(global)**. Students will be placed in one of three groups (Jordan, Israel, Syria) to come up with ways these countries can share the river without conflict. **(global)** 6. Groups will then hold a debate to argue/propose their solutions. **(Global: Synthesizing solutions) (Sequential: analyzing problems) (Abstract: discussing theories/solving equations)**


 * __ESL/LS:__** The song interpretation activity includes a lot of reading so I will be sure to pair ELL and LS students with strong readers. For the debate, I will place ESL and LS students in groups where they will feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and with students who are comfortable being the speaker/debater.