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Peer Review

How to Talk About the Israel-Hamas War: Resources for Educators

Reviewed:

Mar 25, 2024 by History
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Ratings

Overall Rating: 4.2 stars
Content Quality: 4.0 stars
Effectiveness: 4.2 stars
Ease of Use: 4.8 stars
Overview:

Soon after the surprise Hamas attack on Israel earlier this month, the San Diego County Office of Education released a memo with a list of resources that educators and parents can use to help young children and adolescents think and talk about this international crisis. The Associated Press reported that the violence had caused at least 2,800 deaths on both sides as of Oct. 13 and unleashed some of the greatest violence the region has seen in years. “California is home to students and staff with cultural ties to Israel and Palestine, and has seen a rise in antisemitic and Islamophobic incidents even before the outbreak of war,” according to the Oct. 7 memo. “As educators, we must make sure we provide a safe space for all members of our community to learn about current events and process their emotions.” Other school district leaders are taking similar steps to help their communities process the Hamas attack and the ensuing Israeli response.

 

Soon after the surprise Hamas attack on Israel earlier this month, the San Diego County Office of Education released a memo with a list of resources [THE CURRENT (2/22/2024) LINK TO THE RESOURCES IS https://www.sdcoe.net/about-sdcoe/news/post/~board/news/post/resources-for-educators-families-to-discuss-the-events-in-israel-and-gaza-with-students ] that educators and parents can use to help young children and adolescents think and talk about this international crisis. The Associated Press reported that the violence had caused at least 2,800 deaths on both sides as of Oct. 13 and unleashed some of the greatest violence the region has seen in years. “California is home to students and staff with cultural ties to Israel and Palestine, and has seen a rise in antisemitic and Islamophobic incidents even before the outbreak of war,” according to the Oct. 7 memo. “As educators, we must make sure we provide a safe space for all members of our community to learn about current events and process their emotions.” Other school district leaders are taking similar steps to help their communities process the Hamas attack and the ensuing Israeli response.

Date Added to MERLOT: January 20, 2024 Date Modified in MERLOT: Feb 19, 2024

Type of Material:

Reference Material, multiple websites

Recommended Uses:

 In class, homework, individual, team, lecture

Technical Requirements:

Browser

Identify Major Learning Goals:

  • Provide links for educators and parents ot help young children and adolescents think and talk about this international crisis.
  • Videos and short articles along with lesson plans.
  • Historical issues of Israel and Hamas.
  •  Critical thinking
Target Student Population:

Grade School, Middle School, High School, College General Ed, College Lower Division, Lifelong / self-directed learners

SPECIFICALLY: young children and adolescents

Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:

Basic 20th century world history, especially Middle East.

Content Quality

Rating:
Strengths:

  • A good mix of materials from historical to contemporary information
  • Links to sites for talking to students, for emotional supportConcerns:
  • Materials are divided into categories.
  • Current and historical information provided.
Concerns:

  • The link to the San Diego School Board resources page is broken. It should be https://www.sdcoe.net/about-sdcoe/news/post/~board/news/post/resources-for-educators-families-to-discuss-the-events-in-israel-and-gaza-with-studentsSome links are restricted to subscribers.
  • Materials do not unfold historically, topically, or sequentially.
  • Some links are restricted to subscribers.

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating:
Strengths:

  • A good mix of materials from historical to contemporary information
  • Links to sites for talking to students, for emotional support
  • Effective now.  Will become dated
Concerns:

  • Materials are divided into categories.
  • Materials do not unfold historically, topically, or sequentially.

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:
Strengths:

  • Simple to use.
  • Most links open into new tab.
  • Accessed materials and sites using FireFox.
Concerns:

  • Simple to use, requires little instruction for use
  • somewhat restricted to users
Other Issues and Comments:

  • The resource site is keeping the materials current. Users may have to search for the spefic page on the site.
  • Resources and information may become stale over time.
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