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FEATURED LESSON PLAN

Conflict in Pakistan's Tribal Areas: Causes and Solutions

Lesson Objectives:

Students will:

• Learn about the Taliban
• Identify Pakistan and bordering countries on a blank map
• Locate the tribal regions in Pakistan
• Compare the changes that have occurred between 2004 to 2006 in Pakistan

Materials Needed:

• Internet access
• Blank map
• Student worksheet

Time Needed:

• 5-10 minutes to open the lesson and discuss the Taliban
• 5-10 minutes to complete map activity
• 30 minutes for readings and discussion
• 10 minutes for closing discussion

Procedure:

Step 1: Opening the Lesson

• Begin the lesson by asking students what they know about the Taliban. What is the connection between the Taliban, Osama bin Laden and Al Qaeda? Explain that many people think that Pakistan is harboring terrorists.
  
  Teachers can find background information on the Taliban at the following Web sites:
  http://www.teachervision.fen.com/islam/political-doctrines/6984.html
  http://school.discovery.com/lessonplans/programs/afghanistan/
  
  Write on the board "Waziristan has been broken into thousands of pieces and each piece will raise the banner of Islam." Ask the students if they can explain this statement. Explain that Waziristan is a region in Pakistan that is thought to be harboring terrorists. This quote is from a popular song from the tribal area that students will read about and discuss at the end of the lesson.
  (Source: "Radical Changes for Pakistan's Tribal Elders," http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/3985477.stm)

Step 2: Map Activity

• Give students the student worksheet and a map of Asia found at: http://z.about.com/d/geography/1/0/T/H/asia.jpg
• Ask students to locate Pakistan and its neighbors on their maps. (Instructions are provided in the student worksheet.)
• After reading the first article "Radical Changes for Pakistan's Tribal Elders," students should locate the tribal areas on their maps.

Step 3: "Conflict in Pakistan's Tribal Areas: Causes and Solutions"

• Divide students into pairs.
• Assign the readings.
• After students have completed their worksheets, conduct a large group discussion analyzing the statement: "Waziristan has been broken into thousands of pieces and each piece will raise the banner of Islam."

Step 4: Homework

• Have students write a letter from the viewpoint of a student in Waziristan that expresses an opinion about the war on terror.
• Remind students to study their maps. Give them a map quiz.

Methods Of Assessment:

• Participation in group discussion and research worksheets
• Completion of homework
• Map quiz