In a random study of five middle school social studies textbooks available for adoption in the state of Indiana in 1984, great variation in the treatment of Egypt was noted. Coverage of contemporary history was incomplete in all cases. All texts dealt with Egypt's ancient history, but what was reported was questionable. Only one text addressed in detail the problems confronting the citizens of Egypt today. All texts dealt with the power and influence of the Middle East, thereby equating all countries in that geographic area without respect to economic, social, or political power. One of the most densely populated areas in the world, Egypt is facing problems not only as a developing nation, but as a historical nation. Egypt has many contacts with the United States: It receives 2.5 billion dollars in U.S. foreign aid yearly; the largest of the U.S. embassies is located in Cairo; and many U.S. companies conduct business in Egypt--Hilton, Pepsi, John Deere, and American Express, to name only a few. Egypt is also the largest country in the Arab world. For reasons such as these, students need to know about Egypt, its culture, and its people. Four lessons are presented that focus on the following topics: (1) geography and its influence on the development of Egypt; (2) stereotypes, East and West; (3) a pictorial vocabulary lesson on Egypt; and (4) a resource kit on Egypt for classroom use, available free to Indiana teachers. (JB)