Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: A Parody of Broken Promises
Parodies of political figures are the lifeblood of the editorial cartoons in a free press. North Korea's nuclear threat provides young political scientists an opportunity to hone their critical thinking skills as they analyze a...
Curated OER
Iran Hostage Crisis: Reading Primary Documents
Following brief instruction about the Iran Hostage Crisis during Jimmy Carter's presidency, small groups read three-page sections from the diary of hostage Robert C. Ode. They write editorials from the perspective of either U.S. citizens...
Curated OER
American Imperialism
Critical analysis skills can be built in a variety of ways. Using editorial cartoons (both domestic and foreign) learners will consider how American Imperialism was perceived during the late 19th century. Critical thinking questions,...
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: Why is Freedom of Speech a Burning Issue?
In this current events activity, students analyze a political cartoon about the freedom of speech and respond to three short answer questions
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: The Economic Paradox
It's a classic conundrum of economics: voters want jobs, but don't want to spend the money required for businesses to hire. This political cartoon analysis worksheet has students analyzing this enigma and responding to 3 talking points...
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: College as Concept
In this current events worksheet, students analyze a political cartoon about the college application process and respond to 3 talking point questions.
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Cartoons for the Classroom: Timely vs. Timeless
In this historical events worksheet, students analyze a political cartoon about bank failure and respond to 2 talking point questions.
Curated OER
Immigration
This 3-day immigration study draws on historical trends and current events. A worksheet accompanies initial research on one group's U.S. immigration history, giving opportunity for collaborative learning through sharing findings. Groups...
Curated OER
Fact vs. Opinion (Part II)
How can you tell the difference between fact and opinion? Using newspapers, learners determine which articles contain statements of fact, and which articles reflect the writer's opinion. The lesson plan includes a discussion format and a...
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: Tuscon Shootings
Approach the 2nd Amendment and gun laws through this political cartoon analysis handout, which outlines the tragedy of the 2011 shootings in Tuscon, Arizona in the context of gun control. Background information gives scholars access to 2...
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: Comparing Democracies
Could a president just ignore election results? In this analysis handout, scholars consider this question as they read background information on the 2008 elections in Zimbabwe. Two political cartoons poke fun at President Robert Mugabe,...
National Center for Families Learning
The Summer Fun Summer Learning Music Unit
Take note. Soul music. Gospel music. Country music. Summer comes alive with the sounds of music as program participants learn about various genres of music, create instruments, and write and perform songs about the facts and traditions...
National Center for Families Learning
The Summer Fun Summer Learning Dance Unit
Summer slide. Alas, not a term synonymous with a type of sliding board, summer slide refers to the fact that learning slips during summer break, especially in the areas of spelling and math facts. Enrich summer break with a...
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: Drawing the Line
In this current events worksheet, students read about the attributes of political and editorial cartoonists. Students then respond to 2 short answer questions.
Curated OER
Ethics and the World of Medicine
Students examine ethical issues in the field of medicine. In this ethics lesson, students explore primary and secondary sources regarding the discernment that medical professionals are presented with as they treat illnesses. Students...
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Religion and Peace
Students explore peacemaking efforts. In this religion and ethics lesson, students examine the religious, social, and political values that accompany peacemaking efforts on a global scale. Students create and implement their own...
Curated OER
Religion and Politics: The Battle Over the Judiciary
Students analyze the relationship between religion an politics. In this Supreme Court lesson, students examine the results of the 2004 presidential election and explore how the results impacted George W. Bush and his Supreme Court...
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Islam and Terrorism
Learners explore Muslim beliefs. In this Muslim extremist lesson, students research Internet and print sources regarding Muslim beliefs and examine how Muslim extremists have interpreted the tenets of the religion to advance their...
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Religion, Culture, and Diversity
Students study world religions. In this diversity lesson, students interview their grandparents and other older adults about their religious beliefs and traditions. Students research world religions and discuss the diversity of cultural...
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War and Religion
Middle schoolers analyze perspectives of war. In this war and religion lesson, students collaborate to research anti-war and pacifist positions on war as well as "just war" theory. Middle schoolers compose essays regarding perspectives...
Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary
Franklin’s Fair Hand American Journalism
Scholars know him for his role in the American Revolution, but Ben Franklin was also a journalist and printer. Learners investigate his standards for what was fit to print using primary sources—including writings where Franklin explains...
Online Publications
Become a Journalist
Explore the newspaper as a unique entity with a detailed and extended unit. The unit requires learners to consider the newspaper's role in democracy, think about ethics, practice writing and interviewing, and examine advertising and news...
Facing History and Ourselves
#IfTheyGunnedMeDown
As part of their continued investigation of the reporting of the shooting of Michael Brown class members analyze photos of Michael Brown and the social media response to these images. The class then develops a guide they...
Curated OER
Editorial Writing: What's On Your Mind
Students write an editorial column for a newspaper. For this journalism lesson plan, students discuss and analyze editorials in print and broadcast media. Students will compare the differences in these two formats of editorial...