Curated OER
Analyzing Public Policy Opinions
Students brainstorm a list of the major issues affecting Fairfax County, Virginia. Using the internet, they choose one topic to research in depth. To end the lesson, they analyze the effectiveness of an actual public policy proposal or...
National First Ladies' Library
States' Rights: 1798-1860
Students develop an annotated timeline specific to the concept of States' Rights. They research an example to the doctrine noting how the ideas change and beome more specific as time passes and discuss their findings through class...
Curated OER
Painters, the Salon, and Critics, 1848-1870
Students study the Beaux-Arts System. In this art history lesson, students explore French art between the years of 1848-1870. This lesson was written to accompany a field trip to the Musee d'Orsay.
Curated OER
ESL: Journalism Article Comprehension
In this ESL comprehension worksheet, students read a passage, then complete a variety of warm-up and pre/post reading activities. Homework suggestions are included.
Curated OER
Thanksgiving: Bird Evolution
Learners explore the evolution of birds. In this biology lesson, students research articles that discuss evidence about the ancestry of birds. They discuss their findings with the group and draw a journal magazine cover highlighting...
Curated OER
Sectarianism racism
Students investigate the concept of sectarianism and racism within the context of becoming a citizen. They develop the understanding that this is not acceptable social behavior through classroom discussion that involves many examples to...
Curated OER
Whales
Learners study the history of whales. For this whale lesson plan, students research two types of whales, color a tile, and write a one page paper. The tiles may be combined to make a group picture.
Sophia Learning
Sophia: Arguments in Action: Mini Debates
This PDF lesson plan provides learners the opportunity to practice the use of logic within a debate structure. Students are given controversial debatable topics, prepare for the debate, and hold mini-debates.
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Constitutional Rights Foundation: The Major Debates at the Constitutional Convention
Activity on the orgins of the U.S. Constitution and the debates surrounding it. Includes questions for discussion and small group learning activity in which students evaluate the fairness of state representation within the structure of...
Other
South Western Learning: Econ News: Policy Debate: Is Microsoft a Monopoly?
This essay provides a debate-style format on whether or not Microsoft is a monopoly. Previous anti-trust cases are cited, both for and against Microsoft's position. Could be used for a classroom debate or opinion essay.
Stanford University
Stanford University: Structured Propositions
This site provides some brief, general information about structuring propositions.
Stanford University
Sheg: Document Based History: Reading Like a Historian: New Deal Sac
[Free Registration/Login Required] A structured academic controversy opportunity to peruse and analyze documents to ignite a debate over the success or failure of the New Deal.
US Government Publishing Office
U.s. Government Publishing Office: Congressional Record
The Congressional Record is the official record of the proceedings and debates of the United States Congress. Successful navigation of the site take knowledge of the GPO's navigation code. An important hint for when looking up a specific...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Science and Religion
A lesson using the strategy of structured academic controversy where learners explore the roots of differing perspectives on evolution, In the process, they develop a deepened understanding of science and religion, and tolerance for...
University of North Carolina
University of North Carolina: Constitution 101 [Pdf]
Provides a good basic introduction to the Constitution. Explains the founding principles, checks and balances, the rationale for it, the accomplishments of the Constitutional Convention, the debate and ratification, the structure of the...
Henry J. Sage
Sage American History: Constitutional Government
Article outlining the events which ultimately led to the development and ratification of the U.S. Constitution. The author explains the components of the Constitution and how those pieces were debated and agreed upon.
US Government Publishing Office
U.s. Government Publishing Office: Congressional Reports
Congressional committee transcripts are compiled into the Congressional Reports section of the Government Printing office website. Most of the information included within the Congressional Reports include the gathering of expert...
Philosophy Pages
Philosophy Pages: Categorical Syllogisms
Provides a detailed look at syllogisms. Sections include the following: "The Structure of Syllogism," "Standard Form," "Form and Validity," and "Diagramming Syllogisms."
Curated OER
Science Kids: Science Images: Stonehenge, Wiltshire, England
Found in the English county of Wiltshire, Stonehenge is a world famous, prehistoric monument that has been the subject of debate for many years. The stones are believed to have been erected in this special part of England sometime around...
Stanford University
Sheg: Document Based History: Read Like a Historian: Civil War Reconstruction
[Free Registration/Login Required] In the Civil War and Reconstruction unit, students engage in contentious historiographic debates about the period: Was Lincoln a racist? Was Reconstruction a success or failure? Was John Brown a...
University of Missouri
Exploring Constitutional Conflicts: Separation of Powers
When do the actions of one branch of the federal government unconstitutionally intrude upon the powers of another branch? This article surveys the history of this question in historic Supreme Court cases.
British Library
British Library: Teaching Resources: A Midsummer Night's Dream: Dreams, Illusion and Doubling
In A Midsummer Night's Dream, Shakespeare explores and reflects upon Elizabethan debates around the nature of dreams. These activities revolve around how the structure, characters and themes in A Midsummer Night's Dream reflect this...
Other
Manner of Speaking: Analyses of Speeches
This is a collection of videos of speeches by well-known personalities and celebrities. Each one is accompanied by an analysis of the speech's structure, devices, and arguments. Some videos are excerpts from movies, some are from...
US Government Publishing Office
U.s. Government Publishing Office: Congressional Hearings
Massive directory of the transcripts of all Senate and House committee and subcommittee hearings from the 105th Congress to the 109th Congress. Hearings are typcially open to the public and done for the purpose of attaining information...