Lesson Plan
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The Amistad Case: A Mock Trial

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students hold a mock trial. For this Amistad case lesson, students prepare for and participate in a mock trial regarding the Amistad case and determine the fate of the Africans recovered on the ship.
Lesson Plan
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Were Lewis and Clark respectful to the Native Americans they encountered on their journey?

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders debate whether or not Lewis and Clark were respectful of Native Americans they encountered on their journey.  In this American History lesson, 6th graders review primary documents and diary entries from the Lewis and...
Lesson Plan
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Albert Parsons

For Teachers 8th - 9th
Students determine whether a hanging victim is guilty or not guilty. In this introductory law lesson plan, students use numerous documents to present their case proving Albert Parsons as either guilty or not guilty.
Lesson Plan
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Argument

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students write and discuss opposing points of view. In this argument lesson, students learn to understand what an argument is and they get to argue one side of a disagreement. An alternative written assignment is provided. A worksheet is...
Worksheet
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Making a Formal Argument - "The Most Important Word"

For Students 10th - 11th
In this formal argument worksheet, students learn debate skills by writing a formal argument to the given prompt. Students must be able to state their position, provide points that support their decision, and support each point with...
Worksheet
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How To Argue Without Cheating

For Students 9th - Higher Ed
In this debate worksheet, students read and learn about the fine points of debate and persuasion. The vocabulary presented and the ideas are quite advanced; premise, conclusion, syllogism, ad homineum, and other difficult terms.
Lesson Plan
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Who Are Travellers?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students visit specified websites to research zoning information in Essex. They participate in a role play to present a zoning request to a city council. Groups of students prepare their side of the case and create their proposal to be...
Lesson Plan
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The Great Kapok Tree Debate

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students participate in a read aloud of the story, "The Great Kapok Tree" in which a logger decides not to cut down a tree. In small groups, they discuss and write about their opinion on the logger's decision. Each group then presents...
Lesson Plan
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Suspect Sources at the Republican Debate

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers explore and analyze statements made during a televised presidential debate. In groups, they research and test the validity of the statements made by the presidential contenders. Students examine sources and draw...
Lesson Plan
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How Does School Work?

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students identify and interpret what their school is like and how it works. They watch animations and slideshows on the government website. Students also develop thinking skills by examining the way voting and democracy works through...
Lesson Plan
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National Debate Over Treaty Ratification

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students review the main points of the Versailles Treaty. In groups, they analyze a variety of political cartoons about Wilson and the treaty itself and share their findings with the class after completing a worksheet. To end the...
Lesson Plan
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The Holocaust's Legacy

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate contemporary hate groups and then participate in a debate on tolerating their existence of the Holocaust. They work in groups to conduct research. Students use print and Web resources to identify one or more...
Lesson Plan
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Debating Teenage Rights

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students deal with 'real world' questions in settings that resemble Congress or the courtroom. They identify a problem, find causes, research possible solutions, determine the best solution, and plan a means of implementing the best...
Lesson Plan
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Building a Better Argument

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students identify the major components of arguments. They deconstruct several arguments in order to relate the differences between premises and conclusions. Students review several documents and identify the way arguments can be...
Lesson Plan
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Taming the Mighty Dragon

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Pupils incorporate the five themes of geography to study the Yangtze river region. They analyze the possible effects of the three rivers gorge damn project on this area and role play a float the entire length of this dangerous river...
Lesson Plan
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Growing Voters and Election 2004: Classroom Debate

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers 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...
Lesson Plan
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Who Sunk the Titanic

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students discuss possible reasons for the Titanic sinking. They are split into small groups to research a historical figure involved in the sinking of the Titanic. They formulate a way to prove their characters guilt or innocence....
Lesson Plan
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The Great Kapok Tree

For Teachers K - 7th
Students read The Great Kapok Tree by Lynne Cherry. After reading the story, they center on the controversy of destroying the rain forest or conserving it. Students have to make an informed decision about rain forest destruction.
Lesson Plan
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Debates

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers conduct research using multiple sources to support a position in a debate. They put information from multiple sources into correct debate format. Students participate in a debate arguing one position in a focused manner.
Lesson Plan
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Be It Resolved: A lesson In Debating

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Learners examine debating procedures. In teams, students research the effects of European-Aboriginal interaction. Learners collect, analyze and interpret information to support their side of the debate.
Lesson Plan
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Model UN Simulation on Population Control Policies

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students participate in a Model UN Simulation Activity in which they take the role of country delegates and NGO representatives in an attempt to develop and debate resolutions that seek to provide remedies to the problems of...
Lesson Plan
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The Great Planetary Debate

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students' are given a research sheet to complete in small groups. They are to select a planet or moon to research using the Internet. With this research and their completed form, each group defends their planet or moon in a debate...
Lesson Plan
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Animal testing debate

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students debate the issues surrounding animal testing. The debate is based around a suggestion or motion. The motion is: This house believes that animal testing should continue. Students are divided into proposers (for the motion)...
Lesson Plan
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Debating in the House of Commons

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students 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.