Curated OER
The Death Penalty
Middle schoolers examine the controversy surrounding the death penalty in the United States. In this current events lesson, students research the history of the death penalty as well perspectives on the topic. Middle schoolers interview...
Curated OER
Doing the Honours
Students investigate the actions of British political parties. In this current events lesson plan, students research the listed Web sites that include information about political party fundraising and peerage. Students also report on...
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Money in Elections:What is it Doing to America?
Students investigate the role of money in American elections. In this current events lesson, students read and discuss articles that address money and political campaigns. Students may conduct further research on the topics presented in...
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NYC Muslim Community Center: Why there? Why not?
Students examine religious diversity issues. In this current events lesson, students read the provided articles "Sacred Ground or Bridging a Cultural Divide?" "Multiple Views of the Proposed Muslim Center," and "Protests, a Bonfire, and...
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Controversy over the NYC Muslim Community Center & the 9/11 Experience
Students investigate the controversial planned mosque at Ground Zero. In this current events lesson, students watch 3 public service announcement clips sponsored by the Council on American Islamic Relations and discuss their effectiveness.
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Breaking News: Chinese Writer to Have Shakespeare's Face
Learners explore current events by completing a list of worksheet activities. In this William Shakespeare lesson, students identify a resident of China who wishes to undergo plastic surgery to give himself the face of William...
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Identifying and Dispelling Stereotypes
Students address stereotypes. In this cultural diversity lesson plan, students define stereotypes, share examples of prejudice, research current event issues in given nations, and create posters that feature unbiased news stories.
Curated OER
Breaking News: Nissan to Make Future New York Taxis
Learners explore current events by completing worksheet activities. In this transportation lesson, students read a news article discussing Nissan's new contract to create New York Taxis due to their improved fuel economy. Learners answer...
Curated OER
Artists Teach Us to See the World through Visual Symbols
Tenth graders analyze a biographical piece of art by Raymond Saunders. They identify shapes, symbols, and lines that are used, and how the piece relates to the artist's life and modern society. They design and create an original piece of...
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A Good Man is Hard to Find
Students, in groups, read and analyze the short story, A Good Man is Hard to Find, by Flannery O'Connor. They present their findings tot he rest of the class and then connect the various themes discussed to outside material, events...
Media Smarts
Bias in News Sources
As young consumers of media, it is important for high schoolers to explore concepts of bias and prejudice, and how they may be present in media. After discussing ideological messages that media can contain, individuals complete a warm-up...
Curated OER
What Do They Do? A Current Events Action
Students research and identify philanthropic organizations involved in current events. In this current events instructional activity, students search newspaper articles for philanthropic organizations, such as the Red Cross, and how they...
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East Asia: Current Events
Ninth graders read and evaluate current events of East Asia. They select an article, read and summarize the article and identify the key people, places, dates, and events in the article. As they summarize, they write a personal...
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Current Issues/Lesson Plan 1: What Matters To You
Students examine the process of the Canadian parliamentary system. They identify current events, read newspaper articles, and write letters to the Editor and Editorial section.
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The U.S. Role in the World
Students examine the presence of the United States in the world. For this global issues lesson, students read "The U.S. Role in a Changing World," and debate the role of the U.S. at the current juncture in history.
Curated OER
This Is My Life
Students create a time line of their lives from the perspective of 50 years in the future.
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How are People Portrayed by Different Media?
Your 9th - 12th graders can hone their analysis and critical thinking skills by studying the way a subject is portrayed across media types. They examine how various print, visual, and online sources have portrayed key players in the 9/11...
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Teacher Notes
Gathering information, distinguishing between arguments, preparing an oral presentation; these skills are fostered as 10th graders explore aspects of global trade and politics. They use the Internet to gather information about NATO, The...
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Confucianism in a Changing Society
A great lesson promotes thoughtful discussion, global perspectives, and links between economics and culture. Learners view four clips showing how Confucian teachings have shaped Chinese culture and how filial piety plays a role in...
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Compare and Contrast Timelines of the World
Seventh graders create a classroom timeline of important world events. This lesson is meant to be used during the entire school year. As the school year goes along, events are added to the timeline as chosen by the class. The events are...
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History of the Current
Students, in groups, collect information from the Internet about historical events surrounding the effects of the Gulf Stream current on ship travel. They compile a chart and answer assessment questions.
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Undercover-ed
Have your class engage in critical-thinking activities using this resource. Learners discuss a variety of topics they think get too much, or too little, attention from the press. They analyze why these topics are over or underrated....
Curated OER
Darfur: Violence and the Media
Learners read an article on Darfur prior to class, discuss the conflict in Darfur, visit a series of websites, and complete a worksheet evaluating the reporting and sources used. They view films on genocide to decide if the Darfur...
Pulitzer Center
The Crisis in the Ivory Coast
Through reading a variety of news articles and other informational texts, learners discover the political turmoil and intense ethnic and religious tensions that envelop the Ivory Coast today. Class members research the historical...