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Bioethics: Debates in the Science Classroom
Students defend one side of a genetics ethics argument. They pull together a portfolio of human genetics and decision making skills. Students are allowed to prove what he/she has learned and express a personal opinion. They also are...
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Was the Iraq War a "Humanitarian Intervention?"
Learners debate the intent of the Iraq war. In this humanitarian intervention lesson, students each research a view point and defend it in a class room debate. Learners defend the views points of Terry...
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Problem-Based Research Lesson: Wal-Mart Debate
To prepare for class, students will read several articles (links included). Students discuss the articles, and ways to deal with the proliferation of big-box stores in rural areas. The class takes two minutes to generate a research...
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The Great Spider Debate
Students study about the survival and hunting strategies of several different kinds of spiders. They also be introduced to scientific classification of spiders and write a brief report about one of the spider families they observe.
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Representation: Majority rule
Students explore various forms of decision making including majority rule, executive, consensus and autocracy (as well as exploring the power of veto), when they debate a bill in a class parliament.
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Over the Borderline?
Students study President Bush's proposal for immigration policy in the US and examine various perspectives on immigration that are currently being debated. They read and discuss an online New York Times article.
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Get Smart
Students discuss the definition of intelligence and the possibility of measuring intelligence. They consider the elements of intelligence by reading and discussing the article "'Jeopardy' Millionaire is Smart, but Is He a Genius?They...
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The Bill of Rights
Students examine the intent Bill of Rights. In this American government instructional activity, students watch segments of the Discovery video "The Bill of Rights." Students discuss and debate the 4 Supreme Court cases...
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Lone Wolves
Students examine the reasons why some people do not support the protection of the wolf on the Endangered Species list. After reading an article, they discuss the controversy of delisting the wolves. As a class, they debate this issue...
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Defining Terrorism
Students explore the debate over legitimate and illegitimate uses of force and differentiate between terrorists and freedom fighters. They read articles, participate in class discussion and write an essay with their observations.
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Running Rings Around the Competition
students explore the debate behind Beijing's bid to host the 2008 Olympics from the perspectives of different groups involved. They then 'cast votes' as members of the International Olympic Committee as to which city should be chosen.
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Media Literacy Discussion Guide
Learners examine and analyze visual media and its messages critically. They determine whether specific media messages inform, entertain, or persuade and what factors influence the media. Using primary sources, they participate in peer...
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Conceptual Change: The History of Thanksgiving
Twelfth graders investigate how to analyze, question and debate the validity of the information given to them from teachers, text books, the media and their peers. The purpose of this lesson is to foster a true understanding about the...
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History of Miss America
Learners make a time-lines of of decades using images from Miss America. In this history instructional activity, students looks at the country's beauty pageant and how it changes the lives of women in America. Learners...
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Sand Dollars
Learners debate the issues of economic prosperity, cultural preservation and environmental preservation by examining the development of land in the Bahamas.
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Symposia: Scholarly Parties
Students hold a symposium during which students debate the benefits of democracy in ancient Greece and the United States. By doing this, students explain the role of symposia in ancient Greek culture and politics.
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More Harm Than Good?
Young scholars explore the controversial 'harm reduction' approach to drug use and debate the various sides to this approach.
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Gumshoeing the Web
Students discuss hackers and issues of computer privacy. They read the article "Sniffing Out Crime by Bits and Bytes," and debate the article through role-playing.
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Proper Perspective
Learners consider what makes a famous painting realistic, then examine a theoretical debate about how Renaissance masters created their true-to-life images. They create their own realistic drawings.
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Trade Wars: the Candidates Take a Stand
Students research topics related to trade, and develop a graphic organizer. They debate and discuss topics related to trade.
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Arguments Against Ratifying the Constitution
Young scholars define federalism, Federalist, and Anti-Federalist, debate issue of ratification in classroom convention, and take vote on whether to add bill of rights. Three lessons on one page.
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Radio Program #9: The Millfield Mine Disaster
Students interpret the experience of the Millfield Mine Disaster and its storytellers. They debate whether the non-union status of Mine #6 was a factor. Students interview community members who have worked in the mining industry.
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America 2000: Federal Round Table Discussion
Eighth graders examine the United States Constitution and identify the beliefs and values Americans follow today. In groups, they compare and contrast state's rights and federal rights and the issues affecting them. They debate the...