Engage in Classroom Dialogue on the 'Attacks on Iran'! Bringing Current Events to the Classroom: New 'Global Express' Teaching Material Released

The Development Education Association and Resource Center (DEAR) has released the 25th issue of "Global Express" (published March 25, 2026), a media literacy teaching resource for addressing current events in the classroom. It is available for free download.

This issue focuses on the "attacks on Iran" that began on February 28, 2026. It introduces three activities that discuss the complex background of the conflict and war, helping students organize what they know and don't know while critically examining their opinions. The material encourages students to think about questions such as: "How do you feel? What are you interested in?", "Why did Israel and the U.S. attack?", "What is my opinion?", and "What is necessary to prevent war?" based on news and information.

◆ Overview of Teaching Materials

• Activity 1: Sharing "Feelings" and "Interests"

  Students identify their own "feelings" and "interests" regarding news and information they have heard or seen, and share/discuss them with others.

• Activity 2: My Opinion

  "Are the attacks unavoidable?", "Is there no legitimacy?", "Is military armament necessary?", "What is the responsibility of citizens regarding war?" After reading several news reports, students examine their own opinions while considering the "discourse" on war from multiple perspectives, and discuss them with others.

• Activity 3: What is Necessary to Prevent War

  Students brainstorm ideas on what is needed to prevent war and consider what they themselves can do.

◆ Features of the Material

• Designed for junior high school students and above, ready for immediate use in classrooms and workshops.
• Designed to foster the ability to think and engage in dialogue through "questions without a single correct answer."
• Allows for the sharing of feelings of anxiety and personal interests.
• Helps students understand the complex background of conflicts in the Middle East and develop perspectives for viewing the news.
• Enables the examination and analysis of the backgrounds behind various opinions.
• Encourages students to imagine and think about what can be done to prevent war.

The teaching materials can be viewed and downloaded for free from the DEAR website.