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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Structured Academic Controversy (SAC) in the History Classroom

For Teachers 8th - 12th
SAC is a specific approach to discussing history and controversial issues. Rather than adhering to an either/or debate-style paradigm, it fosters speaking and constructivist listening to enable learners to build consensus through...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Understanding Stereotypes

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Pupils confront age-related stereotypes, explore how stereotyping impacts their lives, and discuss how they can make changes to reduce over-generalizations, unfair assumptions, and critical judgments about people groups. They use a...
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Lesson Plan
5
5
The New York Times

Collateral Damage? Researching a Connection Between Video Games and Violence

For Teachers 7th - 12th Standards
Hook your class into an exploration of and discussion about violence in video games with a cute animal clip and a video game trailer. After a quick discussion about how media can affect mood, class members read a related article and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Debate: Should the U.S. Annex the Philippines?

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Building an argument with supporting evidence is a vital skill. Learners engage in a debate over the annexation of the Philippines after the Spanish-American War. They take on the perspective of an individual from that time period,...
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Unit Plan
Curated OER

Immigration: Stories, Struggles and Debates

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Considering including Tatyana Kleyn's Immigration: The Ultimate Teen Guide as part of your course? Check out this curriculum guide designed for use with her book. The activities help learners understand the complexity of the immigration...
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Lesson Plan
Media Smarts

Cyberbullying and the Law

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Dealing with the very topical subject of cyberbullying, this lesson plan will surely create some engaged discussion in your classroom. Young learners discuss the laws concerning cyberbullying in Canada, and then respond to a series of...
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Activity
US Environmental Protection Agency

A Mock Town Meeting on a Proposed Tank Farm

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Intended as a follow up to the Protecting Your Drinking Water activity, young environmentalists use their assessment of the a hypothetical town's water supply to debate the installation of underground chemical storage tanks. With the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Debates

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the history and purposes of debate, and analyze the different debate formats. They rate the candidates' presentations in the debates, and apply debate strategies to their own debates.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

To Kill a Mockingbird Debate

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders debate issues in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird. In this debate lesson, 8th graders break into three groups and given a view to research and debate. Students must find text to support their ideas and others' ideas.
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Activity
Administrative Office of the US Courts

Texas v. Johnson

For Teachers 10th - 12th Standards
Which right does the Constitution weigh more heavily: the sanctity of the American flag as a symbol of national unity, or the right to burn the flag in protest? The 1989 Supreme Court case of Texas v. Johnson explores a state's right to...
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Handout
ProCon

Electoral College

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
The Electoral College's role in elections is sometimes confusing and controversial. Pupils use a debate topics website to research the pros and cons of the practice to debate whether the United States should still use the Electoral...
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Handout
ProCon

Is Homework Beneficial?

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
Does homework improve student achievement, or does it increase stress? Scholars use the included debate topics website to prepare for a class discussion or debate about whether homework is advantageous. After reading a brief background...
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Handout
ProCon

Israeli - Palestinian Conflict

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
Many people think the best solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a two-state solution. After reviewing the available resources, scholars determine whether they agree with that approach. They analyze graphs and charts about...
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Lesson Plan
1
1
Channel Islands Film

Eminent Domain

For Teachers 4th - 8th Standards
After viewing the documentary The Last Roundup, a documentary about the transitioning of Santa Rosa from a privately own island to a National Park, class members debate the takings clause of the Fifth Amendment that permits the...
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Handout
ProCon

National Anthem Protests

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick refused to stand for the National Anthem in 2016 as a form of protest. Were his actions appropriate? Using the provided website, pupils attempt to decide for themselves by reading the main...
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Lesson Plan
American Institute of Physics

Historical Detective: Edward Alexander Bouchet and the Washington-Du Bois Debate over African-American Education

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Young scientists meet Edward Alexander Bouchet who, in 1876, was the first African American to receive a PhD in Physics. This two-part lesson first looks at the debate between Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois about the type of...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Debating in the House of Commons

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars order the stages of a debate in the House of Commons. They review the rules of debates using a printable worksheet. They form groups of proposers and opposers to host a debate.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Global Warming: The Greenhouse Effect Debate

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners gather information about the Greenhouse Effect and participate in a debate about the merits of this theory on both sides. They explore the Greenhouse Effect, and its possible long-term effects, from a variety of resources.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Growing Voters and Election 2004: Classroom Debate

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students research the issues and platforms of candidates and separate propaganda from process in order to choose a candidate to support. Students examine political parties and their contributions to shaping the foundation of the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Climate Chaos Week

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Pupils research the pros and cons of wind farm technology as an alternative source of energy. The class is divided into two groups that should formulate a debate on each side of the argument. Groups use a debate guide to help develop...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Conversation Lesson: Internet Craze

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learning to support your opinions, debate, build arguments, and effectively respect another's point of view are vital skills. Learners work through a series of topics to practice discussion engagement and verbal communication.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Take a Stand!

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Here is a four-corner debate-style activity specifically geared to election year issues. Learners group themselves according to whether they strongly agree, agree, disagree, or strongly disagree with statements that relate to elections...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Telemarketers Rights and Yours

For Teachers 11th - Higher Ed
Learners research the controversy of whether or not the National Do Not Call Registry is constitutional, and then hold a class debate. Students research the National Do Not Call Registry, the FTC, the FCC, and the most current status of...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Laughing Matters

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Is laughter really the best medicine? Middle and high schoolers discuss the truth behind this adage by reading and discussing a New York Times article about Dr. Patch Adams. They participate in a round-table debate in response to...

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