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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Debating Controversial Issues: Integrating Science and Current Events

For Teachers 9th - 12th
In order to give young scientists experience with critical thinking skills, introduce them to a current controversy and prepare them to debate. Choose a topic, such as genetically modified organisms, and assign groups to represent...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Debating the Issues: Ralph Bunche and Civil Rights

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Synthesizing information from a PBS documentary Ralph Bunche: An American Odyssey, its companion website, and several other resources (links to which are provided), high schoolers evaluate whether Bunche did all he could to advance the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Individuality vs. Conformity

For Teachers 9th - 12th
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...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Debates on Persuasive Language That Extend Outside of Class

For Teachers 9th - 12th
There is no better sight to see than a classroom full of eager young adults, hands raised high, eager to jump into a class discussion. Get your class identifying and discussing rhetorical strategies and then debating long into the night...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bank Loans Money to Start Businesses

For Teachers 4th - 6th
After locating Latin American countries on a world map, children read about how microbanks are loaning money to help start small businesses. Involving both current events and economics, the teacher introduces the article with a map...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

The Power of Television Debate

For Students 8th - 10th
After reading a seven-paragraph selection titled, "The Power of Television Debate," the class completes six comprehension tasks. They answer questions, use new vocabulary and adjectives in sentences, and engage in a debate with a peer. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Inner Circle/Outer Circle Debate Strategy

For Teachers 3rd - Higher Ed
Arranged in facing concentric circles, half the class discusses an issue. The other half of the class takes notes which are then used to fuel a class discussion and to prepare editorial opinions on the topic at hand. So much emphasis is...
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Lesson Plan
Media Smarts

Cyberbullying and the Law

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Dealing with the very topical subject of cyberbullying, this lesson plan will surely create some engaged discussion in your classroom. Young learners discuss the laws concerning cyberbullying in Canada, and then respond to a series of...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Cartoons for the Classroom: Dogging the Dems

For Students 9th - 12th
Political cartoons add an element of fun as your scholars study current events in Washington D.C. This analysis handout uses two cartoons to bring learners into discussion about the many issues democrats have concern over as November...
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Lesson Plan
5
5
PBS

An Attack on Syria- What Would You Do?

For Teachers 7th - 12th Standards
Has United States military intervention in the conflicts of other countries always been warranted? After reviewing a brief background on contemporary US conflicts and reading articles describing the civil war in Syria, your learners...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

New Gun Control Politics: A Whimper, Not a Bang

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Using an article from The New York Times, students answer discussion questions about gun control. They are divided into four groups to research different standpoints on gun control, including the Executive Office, Congress, Gun Control...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sing if you're glad to be recognised by the law

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Equal rights, state law, and Civil Partnerships is the topic of this class discussion. Upper graders hone their research skills to engage in an intelligent and well-supported discussion on the Civil Partnership Act of 2004. Provided are...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

School, Unplugged

For Students 8th - 9th
What would school be like if you couldn't teach lessons that require technology? Would it benefit the class? Would it hold them back? Have your learners read this article and answer the basic reading comprehension questions. Then have...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The U.S. Role in the World

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars examine the presence of the United States in the world. In this global issues lesson plan, students read "The U.S. Role in a Changing World," and debate the role of the U.S. at the current juncture in history.  
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Life Choices

For Teachers 6th - 10th
By examining two differing perspectives on the topic of abortion, upper graders will be able to build an opinion of their own. A teacher-led lecture outlines key points in the debate for or against abortion including, the role of...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Political Issues and Opinions

For Teachers 10th - 12th
The emergent adults in your US Government class can become informed, self-aware voters. This activity enables them to form an opinion about particular political issues then identify themselves on the political spectrum. Informed and...
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Lesson Plan
Facing History and Ourselves

Fishbowl Discussion

For Teachers 7th - 12th Standards
Filter young teenagers' opinions and perspectives with a classic fishbowl discussion. Given any topic relevant to your curriculum, a group of class members engage in discussion for their peers to observe.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

GLOBAL WARMING

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Students form definitions of the greenhouse effect based on prior knowledge, class discussion, viewing diagrams, and participate in group brainstorming sessions and class discussions related to the impact of the greenhouse effect and...
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Handout
ProCon

Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
Should physician-assisted suicide be legal? Using a debate topics website, pupils prepare to discuss the morality and legality of euthanasia. Scholars discover historical case studies involving assisted suicide, explore state-by-state...
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Lesson Plan
Heritage Foundation

Procedural Amendments: Amendments III, IV, and V

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
So many US Constitution clauses, so little time. The 17th installment in a 20-part series teaches pupils about the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Amendments. Learning through activities such as group work, connecting to current events, and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Playing Dirty

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students consider the effects of video games on students. For this current events lesson, students visit selected websites to study video game ratings, their effects on children, and the violence in the games.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Poisoned Chalice

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students explore espionage. In this current events lesson, students research various Web sites for information about the history of spy work, Anglo-Russian relations, and spy gadgets. 
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Lesson Plan
1
1
Constitutional Rights Foundation

Unauthorized Immigration and the US Economy

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
As part of a study of immigration and the U.S. economy, class members assume the role of newspaper editors to determine which submitted letters to print on their paper's editorial page to present a balanced view of the debate.
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Handout
ProCon

Death Penalty

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
Should the United States continue the practice of capital punishment? Scholars set out to answer the question in preparation for a class debate or discussion about the death penalty. They watch videos, analyze charts about death penalty...