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The New York Times

Great Debate: Developing Argumentation Skills

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
"Advertising has no impact on whether people buy something." "Looting is morally permissible during national disasters and emergencies." "Gay teenagers should be allowed to take dates to the prom." Considering a class debate? Check out...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Great Debate

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Groups of learners investigate the persuasive genre of writing as they research and present on an issue. They research the Internet (possible websites are included) for a topic and locate information to present to the opposing team. In...
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Unit Plan
National Library of Medicine

Your Environment, Your Health: The Great Debate—Bottled Water vs. Tap Water in Our School

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Should bottled water be sold in schools, or should they only provide tap water? The summative unit in the six-part series encourages scholars debating this topic. The lessons teach how to build an argument, how to gain background...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Recreating Marriage: The Same-Sex Union Debate

For Teachers 9th - 12th
A debate continues regarding same-sex marriage as a constitutional right. This lesson requires learners to define marriage then formulate an argument that reconstructs the national debate perspectives. Many standards are addressed but a...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bioethics: Debates in Human Genetics

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students, in groups, research and prepare a debate regarding various bioethical situations. After the debates, each student prepares a ortfolio outlining their own personal opinions.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Transportation Fuels Debate

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Young scholars study the different transportation fuels.  In this energy sources lesson students debate the merits of their fuel over others while working together in groups.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Structured Academic Controversy (SAC) in the History Classroom

For Teachers 8th - 12th
SAC is a specific approach to discussing history and controversial issues. Rather than adhering to an either/or debate-style paradigm, it fosters speaking and constructivist listening to enable learners to build consensus through...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Debate over the Ratification of the Constitution

For Teachers 12th
Twelfth graders discuss the creation of the United States, the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution. Through a class debate, role-playing Federalists and Anti-federalists, they identify the reasons for and against ratification...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

National Debate Over Treaty Ratification

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students review the main points of the Versailles Treaty. In groups, they analyze a variety of political cartoons about Wilson and the treaty itself and share their findings with the class after completing a worksheet. To end the...
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Lesson Plan
Missouri Department of Elementary

Finding the Positive

For Teachers 5th Standards
To instill the importance of a positive classroom community small groups create a collage out of magazine clippings that highlight three characteristics of self-awareness. Written examples accompany the finished product. Groups turn in...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

To Group of Not to Group - That is the Question!

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Upper elementary and middle schoolers use their observation skills to group different kinds of candy by similar characteristics. They debate whether or not we should classify objects. Finally, they learn that biologists have developed a...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

LAND USE DEBATE / TOWN MEETING

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders research, analyze, and orally defend an issue related to the use of geologic resources. They defend their position in written form by composing a letter to an appropriate source.
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Lesson Plan
Cornell University

Fibers, Dyes, and the Environment

For Students 6th - 12th Standards
Nanofibers can be made through electrospinning or force spinning in order to reduce the negative impact on the environment. Pupils study the role of fibers and dye on the environment through a series of five hands-on activities. Then,...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bioethics: Tool for Portfolio and Performance Assessment

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students, in cooperative studying groups, assume the affirmative or negative position of a particular issue (premise). They research the issue and participate in a debate. In addition, they write essays to complete a portfolio entry.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Who Started World War I?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers debate which power was responsible for the outbreak of World War I. In this cause and effects lesson, students research the causes of the outbreak of World War I on ProQuest in preparation for a (limited) reenactment of...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Peter and the Starcatchers: Anticipation Guide

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Pique your pupils' interest before reading Peter and the Starcatchers with an anticipation guide. Given a list of 10 statements, learners choose true or false based on what they think the book is about. They then discuss in small groups...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Human Trafficking & Modern Day Slavery - Debating the Fundamentals

For Teachers Higher Ed
Students research the trafficking and slavery issues in a country of their choice. In groups, they prepare arguments which support their point of view. They reverse their positions to make the debate more interesting.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Encouraging Answers

For Teachers 6th - 12th
What is the celebration of Columbus Day really about? Older learners use inquiry-based methods to find out who Columbus really was and what motivated his journeys. They take on the roles of town officials who must consider whether or not...
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Lesson Plan
PBS

Evaluating Conflicting Evidence: Sultana

For Teachers 6th - 10th Standards
What sunk the Sultana? Scholars become investigators to uncover the facts behind the 1865 sinking just after the end of the Civil War. Through group work, videos, and primary documents, they research and analyze why 1,800 men died....
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Stem Cell Research

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine embryonic cell research and the controversy that surrounds it.  In this stem cell instructional activity students use a debate model and present and defend their positions. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Debates in Human Genetics

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students examine case studies involving human genetics. They research the case and determine possible problems to the issue. Students write essays supporting their opinion. They debate the ethical issues.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What is cooperative negotiation?

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders differentiate between positions, interests, and values.  In this current events lesson, 10th graders analyze, in a response to literature, the failure of a fictional negotiation.  Students demonstrate the ability to use...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Medicare Reform

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers calculate how much of each paycheck is deducted into the Medicare system, explain the need for health insurance and Medicare, and work in small groups to develop their own plan to reform Medicare.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Cartoons for the Classroom: Now That's Debatable!

For Students 8th - 12th
In this current events instructional activity, students analyze political cartoons that feature caricatures of George Bush and John Kerry. Students respond to 3 talking point questions.