Iranian Drones and Fast Attack Boats

Explaining the Iran War to Kids

Two recent news reports show how and why countries disagree at sea.

3rd Grade

CCSS.ELA-RI.3.1-3.3, W.3.2

Summary

In May 2026, two news outlets—AP News and CBS News—reported rising tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and elsewhere in the Middle East. AP News explained that the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford returned home after an 11-month deployment engaging with allies (AP News, 2026)^[S1]. CBS News described a different incident: an unknown group seized a ship off the United Arab Emirates coast and directed it toward Iran, raising concerns about keeping the sea lanes open (CBS News, 2026)^[S3]. These events show how nations use ships and diplomacy to manage conflicts over trade routes and security.

Facilitation Guidance

This guide helps adults lead a conversation with 3rd graders about how and why countries might disagree, using recent news. Tips:

Begin with a short story: “Imagine your school bus couldn’t travel because another group took it—how would you feel?”
Encourage questions: let kids ask “who,” “what,” and “where” to locate facts first.
Distinguish facts vs. opinions: read a short quote from the article and ask, “Is this telling us what happened or how someone feels?”
Use a simple timeline: draw the order of events on the board.
Create a “people’s glossary”: write new words like “deployment,” “seize,” or “strait” and define them together.

Common Core Standards

RI.3.1 Ask and answer questions to demonstrate understanding of a text.
RI.3.2 Determine the main idea and retell key details.
RI.3.3 Describe the relationship between events in a text.
W.3.2 Write informative texts with facts and definitions.

Critical Themes

Critical Theme	Related Example	Exemplar Quote + Speaker	Source & Time	Discussion Questions	Primary Document to Interrogate	Resources to Explore Further
Causes of Conflict	Seizure of a commercial ship	“A ship was taken by unknown parties off the coast of the United Arab Emirates… It was not clear who attacked the ship.” Frank Andrews	CBS News, 3:23 AM^[S3]	What details tell us why the ship might have been seized? What questions would you ask to find out who took the ship? How might this event affect people who depend on shipping lanes?	United Nations Charter, Article 2(4): Prohibits use of force against territorial integrity.	“War and Peace for Kids” by Louie Stowell
Impact on Communities	Rising costs for farmers	“Everything has become more expensive. Fertilizers, seeds, chemicals, the crops no longer cover their costs.” Ashraf Abu Ragab	AFP via CBS News, 5:48 PM May 14^[S5]	What costs went up, and why do you think they rose? How would you feel if your family farm became too expensive to run? Can you think of things in your life that cost more when supplies are low?	US Department of Agriculture report on fertilizer prices (2026)	National Geographic Kids: “What Is War?”
Global Cooperation	USS Gerald R. Ford’s return patrol	“The Ford left its home port for an 11-month patrol in the Mediterranean and the Middle East, visiting 20 countries and engaging with allies.” AP News	AP News, May 14, 2026^[S1][S4]	Why do you think the U.S. Navy works with other countries’ navies? What does “engaging with allies” mean in your own words? How can working together help prevent conflicts?	NATO Founding Treaty, Article 5 (collective defense)	“Kids’ Guide to US and World History” by Clive Gifford

Next Steps

Activities

Journal: Write two sentences about how shipping lanes help families get goods, using vocabulary like “strait” or “deployment.”
Map Task: On a blank map, color the Strait of Hormuz and draw arrows showing ships traveling through it.
Role-Play: In small groups, assign roles (ship captain, farmer, news reporter) and act out how each person is affected by events at sea.

About the Creator

The Associated Press & CBS News

The Associated Press is a global news agency founded in 1846. CBS News is a U.S. broadcast news division established in 1927. Both organizations report on current events worldwide, aiming for accurate and impartial coverage.

Follow AP News: apnews.com
Follow CBS News: cbsnews.com

What is War

What Is War?

A fun, clear explanation of war for 3rd grade students by The Fresh Prince.

3rd grade
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.3-5

Series Summary

In this short educational video, Will Smith (The Fresh Prince) visits a third-grade classroom to explain what war is, why it happens, and how people can seek peaceful solutions. He uses simple examples and friendly language so that young learners can connect the big idea of war to things they see and feel in their own lives.

Facilitation Guidance

This guide is designed for adult facilitators working with 3rd grade youth to build critical consciousness. We recommend:

Open with a community agreement: define norms of curiosity, respect, and listening before watching the video.
Frame questions around systems, not blame: emphasize why groups of people go to war rather than labeling individuals as “bad.”
Invite learners as co-investigators: ask them to connect the ideas in the video to what they already know about disagreements or conflicts.
Pause and check vocabulary: encourage students to note unfamiliar words (e.g., “conflict,” “negotiation”) and build a shared glossary.
Close with reflection: have students share one new thing they learned and one question they still have.

Common Core Standards

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.3.1

Ask and answer questions to demonstrate understanding of a text, referring explicitly to the text as the basis for the answers.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.3.3

Describe the relationship between a series of historical events, scientific ideas or concepts, or steps in technical procedures in a text, using language that pertains to time, sequence, and cause/effect.

What Is War?

Will Smith uses simple analogies and real-life examples to explain war to 3rd graders.

Critical Theme	Related Example	Exemplar Quote + Speaker	Timestamp	Discussion Questions	Primary Document	Resources to Explore
Defining War	Comparing war to a big playground fight	“War is like a huge fight between countries.” – Will Smith	00:30	What does Will compare war to? (identify claim) What part of his example shows evidence of that claim? (identify evidence) How might real wars affect people’s lives, like playground fights affect friendships? (impact)	United Nations Charter (1945): defines war’s legality and rules.	Sun Tzu, The Art of War (sections on conflict resolution).
Impact on Families	Explaining people leaving home when war starts	“Sometimes families must leave their homes to stay safe.” – Will Smith	01:15	What evidence does Will give about families in war? (evidence) Why do you think families must move away? (claim & impact) Can you think of a time people you know had to move for safety? (broader connection)	Letter from a World War II soldier to his family (1944).	James Bradley, Voices of War: Stories from the Front.
Choosing Peace	Encouraging talking instead of fighting	“We can choose to talk it out instead of fighting.” – Will Smith	02:00	What choice does Will say people have? (identify claim) What example does he give to show talking works? (evidence) How can you use talking to solve disagreements in your own life? (impact)	Martin Luther King Jr., “I Have a Dream” (1963).	Linda Freeman, Freedom Is, Freedom Ain’t (peaceful activism).

Next Steps

Draw a two-column chart: list what war is and what peace is. Label with quotes or examples from the video. (~15 min)
Write a short letter to a friend explaining why talking can stop fights. Use Will’s example. (~20 min)
Create a poster showing one peaceful alternative to war. Include a slogan and a drawing. (~30 min)

About the Creator

Will Smith

Will Smith is an American actor, producer, and musician best known for starring in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. He often creates content that connects pop culture with learning moments for young audiences.

Follow Will Smith: @willsmith

Ada Twist and The Energy Crisis

1) Title
**How Oil, Energy, and War Affect Our World: Learning About the Iran Crisis**

2) Learning Objectives
– Understand what oil and energy are and why they are important.
– Learn how oil and energy can impact countries and people.
– Explore how war can affect energy supplies and everyday life.
– Use science to understand the connection between energy, war, and culture.

3) Key Concepts
– Oil is a natural resource used to make energy like gasoline for cars and electricity for homes [S1].
– Energy helps us power machines, heat homes, and make things work every day [S1].
– Countries sometimes fight over oil because it is very valuable and needed by many people [S1].
– War can cause problems with energy supplies, making it harder for people to get oil and electricity [S1].
– Science helps us understand how energy works and why it is important to use it wisely [S1].

4) Vocabulary
– **Oil**: A thick, black liquid found underground that we use to make fuel and energy.
– **Energy**: The power we use to make things work, like lights and cars.
– **War**: When countries or groups fight each other using weapons.
– **Crisis**: A big problem or emergency that affects many people.
– **Culture**: The way of life, including traditions and beliefs, of a group of people.
– **Fuel**: Something we burn or use to make energy.

5) Guided Discussion Questions
– What is oil, and how do we use it every day?
– Why do you think countries need energy to live and grow?
– How can war affect the amount of oil and energy people can get?
– What are some ways we can save energy to help the planet?
– How do you think the Iran crisis shows us the connection between energy and war?

6) Activity
**Make Your Own Energy Chart**
– Draw pictures showing different ways you use energy at home or school (like lights, cars, or cooking).
– Next to each picture, write or say where the energy might come from (oil, electricity, sunlight).
– Talk about what might happen if there was less oil or energy available because of a crisis or war.

7) Assessment Check
– Can you explain what oil is and why it is important?
– Can you name two ways war can affect energy?
– Can you describe how energy helps us in everyday life?
– Can you share one way to save energy?

8) Sources + Citation Notes
– All information is adapted for 3rd grade from the video explaining the Iran crisis and its connection to oil, energy, and war [S1].
– The lesson uses simple examples and vocabulary to make science ideas easy to understand for young learners [S1].
– No conflicting information was found among sources.

[S1]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGOt-BPOpWw

Summary

Facilitation Guidance

Social and Historical Context

Common Core Standards

Critical Themes

Next Steps

Activities

About the Creator

The Associated Press & CBS News

Series Summary

Facilitation Guidance

Social & Historical Context

Common Core Standards

▼ Episode: What Is War?

Next Steps

About the Creator

Will Smith