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 believe news...
Facing History and Ourselves
The Importance of a Free Press
"Congress shall make no law . . . abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press;. . ." Why is this guarantee of free speech and a free press the First Amendment to the US Constitution? Why are these rights so essential to a democracy?...
Facing History and Ourselves
The Power of Images
One picture but a thousand stories. As a part of a case study of how the death of Michael Brown was reported by professional news sources and on social media class members examine the reactions of various groups to a photograph taken by...
Facing History and Ourselves
Citizen Watchdogs and the News
To conclude their case study of media coverage of the shooting of Michael Brown by a Ferguson, Missouri, police officer, class members consider the role of citizen watchdogs in a democratic society, develop strategies for combating...
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Reporting on the 1920s
Use this roaring 1920s history lesson to have young writers research primary and secondary sources. They use their research to examine the events or famous public figures of the time period. Next, they imagine they're in the 1920s and...
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Personal and Global Conflict
Pupils review vocabulary of conflict. In this citizenship lesson, students practice conflict resolution skills by participating in a role play involving national representatives working with a UN Mediator. Pupils reflect on the...
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Project-Based Learning: Diversity
Ethnic and cultural diversity are explored in a service learning lesson, great for upper graders. They participate in four weekly activities that require them to research ethnic and cultural diversity.
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Comparing the Satellite and Broadcast Radio Landscapes
High schoolers research the development of satellite technology over the last 50 years students explain how the enactment of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 changed the rules for corporate ownership of multiple media outlets.
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Lessons to be Learned: The Importance of Attribution, Accuracy, and Honesty
Students investigate real world examples of media law issues. In this media law instructional activity, students read Janet Cooke’s feature and respond to the writing. Students read articles by Stephen Glass to highlight facts in need of...
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Constitution Week
Young scholars prepare one-minute broadcasts about events leading to the writing of the Constitution and current issues in the next election. Students read their broadcasts on the school P.A. system each morning during Constitution Week.
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President FDR and the New Deal
Learners explore the New Deal and President FDR. In this Great Depression lesson, students listen to an FDR Broadcast (Fireside Chat) and read sections in their textbooks. Then, in small groups learners design and create a broadcast to...
National First Ladies' Library
Digging up the Past: Sir Arthur Evans and the Palace at Knossos
Middle schoolers explore the excavations of the Palace of Knossos on the Island of Crete. They create a simulated news broadcasting on the work of Sir Arthur Evans and his colleges. In their news investigation, learners cover such topics...
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World War II
Sixth graders read Under the Blood Red Sun (UBRS), V is for Victory (V), and Number the Stars(NS). They examine WWII through the eyes of Japanese, Danish, and American students and complete at least two projects: a radio broadcast and a...
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Snow, Sweat and Tears
Learners, in pairs, explore the sports featured at the Winter Olympics and prepare related news broadcasts.
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Typecasting Roles
Young scholars read and discuss various news articles where an element of surprise was present about the criminal and the crime. They research a news story, present the information in the form of a newscast, and write an opinion piece.
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The Battle for Congress: Midterm Elections 2010
Students research midterm elections. In this United States Congress lesson, students use the Internet to explore the issues, candidates, platforms and stakes of the midterm elections of 2010. This extensive lesson makes use of...
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Immigration Debate
Students investigate the law recently passed in Arizona, "Support our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act." In this history activity, students watch a video on immigration then work in small groups to prepare a debate on the pros...
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Character Education Podcasts
Students study character traits. In this character education lesson, students create podcasts highlighting a particular character trait. Students broadcast one podcast per week.
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A Moment in Time
Fifth graders research a year in history. In this research lesson, 5th graders choose a year between 1801 and 1999 and write three research questions to answer about their year. Students must include three major events and investigate...
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Crash of Flight 111
Young scholars identify the locations on a map of the airplane crashes discussed in this lesson. After watching a video, they discuss the importance of an investigation after a plane crash. They use the same information as the...
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Revised Law Proposals
Fourth graders view School House Rock - I'm a Bill to observe the process of writing a law. In this bill writing lesson, 4th graders work in groups to create two laws for the colonists recognizing the importance of the language in them.
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Inside The Harlem Renaissance
Students explore the Harlem Renaissance to discover where, when, and why it took place and who was associated with the experience. They decide what are the most informative facts, interesting people, and events in this lesson.
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Water, Weather, and the World
Students in a special education classroom examine the role of weather and water in their lives. Each day, they add a symbol for the weather outside and identify the proper activities for the weather on that day. In groups, they...
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Simulating a Middle East Peace Summit
Tenth graders explore the issues in the Middle East. In this World History lesson, 10th graders research the problems between Palestine and Israel. Students write a speech on their point of view of the peace process.