March Blog: Events in the Middle East
Curriculum 2028
This is now up and running on our site and we are adding new examples each week to Papers 2 and 3!
We have already published:
- Help pages for teachers on all three papers
- A student text book with content/ATL/assessment help pages for all three papers
We hope that these will have given you some reassurance regarding the new content and changes in focus and assessment.
2028 Curriculum: Teacher Guidance
Welcome to the new section of our website for the DP History curriculum, first assessment 2028!The pages below aim to highlight for teachers the key changes for each aspect of the course
New Curriculum: Student Text book
Please note that as from the start of February 2026 we will be uploading content on a weekly basis and adding more examples to all the Papers!
Over the next few months we will:
- Complete the final Focused Study for Paper 1 - Climate and innovation
- Add the final Thematic Study for Paper 2 on Innovation and Transformation with examples on Britain and Japan
- Continue adding examples to all Thematic Studies
- Continue adding ‘studies’ to all four Paper 3 Regional Study options
Conflict in the Middle East
The momentous events that have unfolded in the Middle East over the past week will no doubt be a focus for discussion among students. As ever, history is key to understanding the present - in this case the history of the relationships between the US and Iran and between Israel and Iran.
There are several good videos covering this, for example this one by the BBC.
(This will be also revision for students studying Post war developments in the Middle East for Paper 3, African and Middle East region.)
The events discussed in the video are covered also on two good timelines:
U.S. Relations With Iran | Council on Foreign Relations (www.cfr.org)
1953 2026 Onetime allies, the United States and Iran have seen tensions escalate repeatedly in the four decades since the Islamic Revolution.
History of US-Iran relations: From the 1953 regime change to Trump strikes (Al Jazeera)
Iran remains the US's adversary in the Middle East since the 1979 Islamic revolution led by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.
Maps are also key to an understanding of what is going on, so this video is useful for explaining the current situation:
International Women's Day
8th March is International Women's Day.
This is a great opportunity for organising an assembly/setting up displays on significant women in history. (Please see a previous blog on International Women's Day for links to important women who have often been overlooked in history).
The story behind International Women's Day and the history of its development over the years is also worth discussing with students.
The theme for 2026 is ‘Give to Gain’.
Give To Gain emphasizes the power of reciprocity and support. When people, organizations, and communities give generously, opportunities and support for women increase. Giving is not a subtraction, it's intentional multiplication. When women thrive, we all rise.
Whether through donations, knowledge, resources, infrastructure, visibility, advocacy, education, training, mentoring, or time, contributing to women's advancement helps create a more supportive and interconnected world.
Curriculum 2028
This is now up and running on our site and we are adding new examples each week to Papers 2 and 3!
We have already published:
- Help pages for teachers on all three papers
- A student text book with content/ATL/assessment help pages for all three papers
We hope that these will have given you some reassurance regarding the new content and changes in focus and assessment.
Thank you to everyone who has already been in touch with questions about the new curriculum. We are also interested in your suggestions for the examples you want covered. As ever, we will respond to all questions and aim to cover your content requests.
We will be offering Think-Ins after Easter to help you prepare for the first teaching of this curriculum in August 2026 - more details to follow!
May 2026 Examinations
For current students taking their IB exams this May, please remind them that we have a revision section to give them ideas on revision strategies. We also have activities to help them test their knowledge with multiple choice quizzes, revision notes and flashcards.
Exam revision
At the end of your two year IB Diploma, you will have to demonstrate your skills in 3 written examinations if you are a Higher Level student or 2 written examinations if you are a SL student. So a well...
5. Revision activities
On this page we have linked to specific revision activities for some of the most popular topics.