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Writing History: From Students to Scholars
An Online NewsHour article about scholarly ethics launches this study of plagiarism. Since historians are supposed to bring original ideas and perspectives to their publications, they must give credit to the ideas of others. After a...
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Genetic Engineering
Learners identify relationships between scientific concepts and their historical roots. They discuss and debate issues of ethics in science, specifically on the concept of genetic engineering and describe the processes of cloning and...
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Take Your Students Behind the Veil
Students consider race relations in Britain. In this current events lesson, students visit selected websites to understand religious dress, Muslim practices, and the crisis regarding multiculturalism in Britain.
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Really Shocking
Students examine statistics about kidney transplants. In this current events lesson plan, students discuss the premise of the reality television show, "Big Donor Show." Students also discover the functions of the kidneys as well as the...
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Jurassic Park: The Science and Ethics of Genetic Engineering
Explore genetic engineering through an engaging "Jurassic Park" unit, which is an extensive use of a cross-curricular teaching event. Planned for AP Biology, English, and Calculus students, learners and teachers are involved for 4-6...
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Commercial Surrogacy: Questions & Considerations of Parties with Vested Interests
Teenagers explore the topic of surrogate motherhood. They examine the technology involved, types of surrogacy, interested groups, and current laws. Each collaborative group is assigned an interest group. They work together to develop...
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Shasta Dam: How High is Too High?
Research water use in California, environmental protection laws, and the proposition to raise Shasta Dam by 200 feet. Researchers use their findings to build an argument which will be presented at a mock decision panel. Groups then...
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North Korea and the United States
Students analyze U.S. policy toward North Korea. In this foreign policy lesson, students conduct research on the relationship between the United States and North Korea. Students prepare for a classroom debate to determine whether the...
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You Be the Judge
Students research and evaluate a case considered by the U.S. Supreme Court regarding the jurisdiction of the Clean Water Act. They watch a Bill Moyers video, conduct a debate, and write about the decision they would make if they were a...
Constitutional Rights Foundation
If Men Were Angels: Teaching the Constitution With the Federalist Papers
Much like the methods of group work, the writers of the Federalist Papers worked together to advocate for their viewpoints against the anti-federalists. The resource enables learners to break into small groups and conduct research before...
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Defense Mechanisms
Students examine the Cold War roots of the recent debate over the construction of United States and Russian missile defense shields. They begin by reading and discussing the article, Putin Says Russia Would Counter U.S. Shield.
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Activism of Terrorism
Young scholars research animal rights issues and controversies and determine whether they believe extreme tactics are justified. They practice debate and rhetoric skills by successfully arguing both sides of the issue.
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POLITICS AND RELIGION: Targeting Faith When It Counts
Students research current articles about the influence of religion on the presidential election of 2004.
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Contemporary Mexican and Puerto Rican Immigration
Students in an ESL classroom compare and contrast Puetro Rican and Mexican cultures. In groups, they research the reasons why people leave one country for another and how to obtain a visa. As a class, they brainstorm a list of the...
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Global Women and Poverty
High schoolers examine poverty and women in Senegal through a video. They work together to gather research about economic prosperity in different countries. They share their information with the class.
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Journalists Under Fire
High schoolers research current events in relation to the United States military. In this current event lesson, students find out what is going on in the war and use what they find to explain and debate their stance on current events.
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Patriotism Reflected in Art and Literature (Part B)
Tenth graders compare and contrast the patriotism of Imperial Japan to its presence in the United States today. In this patriotism lesson, 10th graders write essays and participate in a classroom debate that requires them to consider the...
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Life, Camera, Action
Students investigate the history, politics and culture of Somalia. They analyze media coverage and portrayal of the country. They focus on the role of media in reporting on Somalia and the current debate over the film Black Hawk Down.
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Media Literacy Discussion Guide
Young scholars examine and analyze visual media and its messages critically. They determine whether specific media messages inform, entertain, or persuade and what factors influence the media. Using primary sources, they participate in...
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You Are There: Television News Reports on Apartheid
Learners, in groups, research apartheid and its effects on South Africa. They present their information to the class.
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Québec Sovereignty – Oui ou Non?
Students examine the Quebec question. In this Quebec lesson, students research issues related to Quebec's sovereignty. Student then participate in a videotaped debate on the issue.
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On the Edge and Under the Gun
Students brainstorm ideas related to gun control and share with the class. in this gun control lesson, students research teacher approved websites related to gun control. Students write a paper in groups on a self selected topic related...
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The Khmer Rouge
Students examine life in Cambodia and Vietnam from 1975-1979, Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge. They discuss how an otherwise peaceful society could allow such events to take place and write a short paper and complete a culminating project.
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Canada's Press: Making a Historical Newspaper
Young scholars examine several colonial-era editorial cartoons. They evaluate the effectiveness of the techniques the cartoonists used to display their messages and share one editorial cartoon with the class emphasising what message has...