Young scholars reflect on violence and non-violence.  In this World History lesson, students read an article by Gandhi then write an essay as to whether they agree or disagree with his thoughts.  Young scholars then share all...

Students examine voting rights in the South during the 1950s and 1960s. In this civil rights lesson, students examine legal rights and the opportunity to cast votes. Students research primary documents regarding the topic and share their...

Students examine voter discrimination. In this Civil Rights lesson, students watch segments of "Eyes on the Prize" and discuss the organization of the march from Selma to Montgomery. Students conduct interviews to learn...

Students explore a student protest in South Africa. They observe a film about life in South Africa. Students consider how the image of South Africa is shaped by the media. Students roleplay interviewing African children.

Students examine the concept of religious freedom by evaluating Hong Kong's security laws. In pairs students investigate the levels of religous freedom allowed in various countries around the world and present this information to the class.

Eleventh graders explore arguments surrounding Abraham Lincoln's opposition to the Mexican War. They compare the arguments surrounding Lincoln's opposition to war with those surrounding war protestors during the Persian Gulf War in 1991.

Students study the Declaration of Independence and the process our founding fathers went through to get it written and signed. They analyze other similar historical documents and draft and present their own declarations.

As part of a study of civil disobedience, class members read excerpts from the writings of activists who were willing to break the law to protest unjust laws.

At what point does data switch from being an outlier to part of the average? Scholars view conflicting news articles about protesters. They must decide which, if any, side is using the correct sample to draw their conclusions. It's a...

Students investigate the events of the Boston Tea Party. They read and analyze first-hand accounts, answer discussion questions, develop a chart of facts, and create a newspaper article, letter, or factual report.

Students examine how citizens can influence legislation. They watch a video, develop a list of how citizens can influence legislation, answer video discussion questions, conduct Internet research, and write a recommendation for change to...

Young scholars conduct research on a German anti-Nazi group named "Die Weisse Rose", the White Rose, that eventually lost their lives for their resistance to Nazi rule. They view films, access the Internet, prepare responsive narratives...

The Nashua River serves as the focal point of an investigation of the treatment of and care for natural resources. A reading of A River Rand Wild: An Environmental History by Lynne Cherry, launches the study and class members consider...

Can school children change the world? With a social or environmental issue in mind, 5th graders use what they know about advertising media to make t-shirts that have something to say. They research the issue they'd like to focus on,...

Students examine the use of music as a medium for social protest. They watch the video, "VH1 Storytellers: Pearl Jam," describe the historical significance of words/phrases in three versions of one song, and answer discussion questions.

Students examine the nationwide immigrants' rights demonstrations. They research and discuss proposed legislation leading up to the demonstrations.

Students examine reasons why many Americans opposed the Vietnam War. In this world history lesson, students view a Powerpoint of anti-war images and a timeline of events that led to the war. Students examine speeches made by John Kerry...

Students examine the controversy and varying points of view leading up to the 19th century Mexican War. They research examples of anti-war movements throughout history and write editorials about their findings.

Students read an essay by H.D. Thoreau as analysis of his philosophy on government. In this Thoreau analysis lesson, students work in groups to paraphrase two of Thoreau's criteria for his beliefs about government. Students write a...

Fifth graders explore the concept of Satyagraha. In this nonviolent resistance lesson, 5th graders listen to a lecture about Gandhi's teachings and determine how the soul force contributes to a sense of self empowerment.

High schoolers investigate incidences of civil disobedience. In this civil disobedience lesson, students watch a video and read a newspaper article on civil disobedience. Then, in groups, they search a current newspaper for examples of...

Students examine the meaning and use of civil disobedience. They decide whether civil disobedience is a viable form of protest in contemporary times after studying the acts of Rosa Parks.

Students read Gandhi and Dr. King's messages about nonviolence and discuss their visions about loving one's enemies. In this nonviolence activity, students read Gandhi's "Ahimsa, or the Way of Nonviolence" and Dr. Martin Luther King's...

Eighth graders explore the concept of Sarvodaya. In this nonviolent resistance lesson, 8th graders listen to a lecture about Gandhi's teachings and determine how poverty is a form of violence.