Anti-Defamation League
Student Dress Codes: What's Fair?
The controversy over school dress codes continues. The debate involves questions like, why is there a policy? Who sets the policy? Who enforces the policy? What is a fair policy? Tweens and teens have an opportunity to engage in the...
Curated OER
Individuality vs. Conformity
Spark an animated debate in your class! Young adults consider some of the fads or trends that are prevalent at their school, as well as their own level of participation in them. Just how much of a role does popular culture play in their...
National Woman's History Museum
The Equal Rights Amendment
The debate over the Equal Rights Amendment continues. To better understand the controversy, class members research the history of attempts to get the amendment ratified. In addition, pairs engage in a structured academic conversation...
Curated OER
Mock Standing Committee
Students participate in standing committees to explore controversial issues. They research the issue in order to develop a perspective on the topic.
Anti-Defamation League
‘Migrant Caravan’ and the People Seeking Asylum
The controversies surrounding migrants seeking asylum in the U.S. have recently been a hot topic. To understand some of the issues involved, young scholars investigate the Migrant Caravans of 2018. A 10-page packet, including photos, a...
Curated OER
Ban on Same-Sex Marriage: Does it Violate 'Due Process' and 'Equal Protection'?
Learners examine due process and equal protection. In this current events instructional activity, students read the provided article, "Due Process and Equal Protection for Gays and Lesbians." Learners respond to the provided discussion...
Curated OER
A Healthy Old Age?
Students explore the role of the National Health Service (NHS) in Britain. In this current events lesson, students visit websites and listen to lectures to learn about Britain's free health care. Students investigate problems the NHS...
Curated OER
Modern Marvels
Young scholars examine the man-made wonders of the world. In this current events lesson, students research selected websites to learn more about the most recent wonders of the world competition. Young scholars also research Stonehenge.
Curated OER
What's the Forecast for Africa?
Students explore the possibilities for Africa at the G8 Summit. In this current events lesson, students discuss the purpose of the G8 Summit and research the provided web links to learn more about the summit.
Curated OER
Current Topics in Biotechnology
Eleventh graders are introduced to the concept of biotechnology. Using the internet, they research the latest developments in this field and the tools used by biotechnologists. They share their information with the class and create a...
Curated OER
Who Are You Calling a Yob?
Students examine anti-social behavior issues. In this current events lesson, students discover the attributes of Asbos and discuss the controversial use of Asbos by British police agencies.
Curated OER
A Question of Sport
Students explore the controversy surrounding performance-enhancing drugs. In this current events lesson, students discuss the prevalence of drug use in the sports world and create poetry about sports. Older students may design a brochure...
Curated OER
The Pentagon Papers
Students examine national security issues. In this Vietnam activity, students research the background and controversy surrounding the Pentagon Papers. Students discuss press rights in light of maintaining national security.
Curated OER
Genetic Engineering
Learners identify relationships between scientific concepts and their historical roots. They discuss and debate issues of ethics in science, specifically on the concept of genetic engineering and describe the processes of cloning and...
Advocates for Human Rights
The Rights of Women in the United States
Six diverse activities make up a substantial unit on the women's rights movement in the United States, past and present. A few of the topics at hand: the fourteenth and nineteenth amendments, the Equal Pay Act, the Lily Ledbetter Act,...
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Conducting a Panel Discussion and Civil Conversation
The final lesson plan in an 11-session study of immigration asks class members to engage in either a panel discussion or a civil conversation of the controversial legal and policy issues they have investigated as part of the unit.
Curated OER
Valuing Different Views: Taking a Stand on Media Violence
Students recognize the value of multiple perspectives and differences of opinion. They build empathy and open-mindedness for other points of view. They study the complexity of social and cultural issues such as violence in media.
Curated OER
A Nation Of Immigrants
Students research the challenges of immigration from countries around the world. Students view the movie El Norte. They discuss current events related to immigration. They present information on well known Hispanic immigrants and their...
Curated OER
AP Environmental Science-Food Fight
The content in this lesson is of a controversial nature. Please review to make sure it is suitable for your class. A video, The Meatrix is shown to the class, and then they discuss the emotionally-charged language that it uses. They are...
Curated OER
It's Your Right: A Civil Rights Brochure
Learners examine the US Constitution, Bill of Rights, and Supreme Court cases in order to broaden their understanding of the US Judicial System. They research a variety of textual and Internet resources to create a tri-fold brochure,...
Curated OER
Medical Marijuana - Legitimate Use Or Legalized Abuse?
Students, in groups, discuss opinions about medical marijuana use. They form their own opinion about the U.S Supreme Court case involving this issue.
Curated OER
"Now and Then" Comparing Present Day with Medieval Times
Eighth graders compare a present-day social issue with a medieval issue. They use technology tools to conduct their research and demonstrate their new knowledge. Students present their findings to the class in the form of a PowerPoint.
Curated OER
Executive Decisions
Young scholars explore the role of judges in Britain. For this current events lesson, students visit selected websites to discover the responsibilities of judges and the justice reform in Britain.
Curated OER
Galileo's Dialogue
Explore how Galileo's controversial theory raised objections in his time. For this physical science activity, learners research about current controversial issues. They role play both sides of the issue, and decide which one has a...