Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Free Market Labor vs. Slave Labor Debating the "Mud-Sill" Theory

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students read the speeches of Abraham Lincoln and James Hammond. They discuss the speeches and answer questions about free labor vs. slave labor.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Religion: Eastern Schism Debgate

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students, debate the Eastern Schism in church history. They divide into four groups as Christians debate iconoclasts and the open debates the patriarch. Students debate the use of icons in religion and who has supreme authority over...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Animal Plurals

For Students 2nd - 3rd
In this animal plural form worksheet, students complete a chart in which singular or plural forms of animal names are filled in. Some plurals will be irregular: mouse, head-lice.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Charge and Defeat

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students discuss traditional tools used by historians and archaeologists. They conduct a debate on the advantages and disadvantages of rewriting the past and discuss which side of the debate has the strongest case.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Wall to Peace: Deconstructing Divisions Among People and Cultures

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars analyze quotes and poetry related to relationships in society. In this civics lesson, students participate in small group debate game and focus on communication skills that reinforce civil discussion. Young scholars...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Christopher Columbus: Historical Perspective

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders study Columbus Day in relation to who discovered Canada. They complete a KWL about Canada and discuss Columbus Day as an American holiday. After viewing a video, they read articles of Christopher Columbus and work in groups...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Voting and US Resident Aliens

For Teachers 12th
Twelfth graders examine the process of voting.  In this American Government lesson, 12th graders evaluate the arguments for and against alien voting.  Students participate in a debate on voting rights.  
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Foundations of American Government

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine historical perspectives. In this Boston Massacre lesson, students watch "The Story Behind the Boston Massacre," and conduct further research on the event. Students debate the Patriot and British perspectives of the event.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Cherokee Removal

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders examine the issue of Cherokee removal from the perspectives of Andrew Jackson, members of Congress, and members of the Cherokee nation. They adopt the perspectives and engage in debate over the issue of Cherokee removal.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Running Rings Around the Competition

For Teachers 6th - 12th
pupils 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.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Byzantine Empire and the Rise of Russia

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders examine the Byzantine Empire and the rise of Russia. In this world history lesson, 8th graders complete a webquest that requires them to research the Hagia Sophia, Byzantine art, and Byzantine leadership.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Bill of Rights

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers examine the intent  Bill of Rights. In this American government lesson, students watch segments of the Discovery video "The Bill of Rights."  High schoolers discuss and debate the 4 Supreme Court cases featured...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Birds

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers study birds and examine the idea that they evolved from reptiles or dinosaurs.  In this birds lesson students divide into groups and research one side of the debate, then at the end have the high schoolers debate...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

To Compromise or Not to Compromise: The Missouri Question

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students evaluate the fairness of the Missouri Compromise. They read the Missouri Compromise and discuss how it reflected the North-South, anti-slavery and pro-slavery division in the country. They work in groups to debate the Missouri...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Which Parts of a Plant Do We Eat?

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Young scholars identify the different parts of a plant. In this biology lesson, students examine its internal parts by dissecting it. They report their findings in class.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Evolution vs. Intelligent Design

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders explore the arguments surrounding evolution versus intelligent design have affected relationships among people of different religious backgrounds.  In this ethics lesson, 9th graders determine whether relationships...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Québec Sovereignty – Oui ou Non?

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students examine the Quebec question. In this Quebec lesson plan, students research issues related to Quebec's sovereignty. Student then participate in a videotaped debate on the issue.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Using Modal Verbs to Problem Solve - Discussing a Difficult Situation

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students focus on the use of modal verbs of probability and advice in the past tense while discussing and solving a difficult problem.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Representation: Majority rule

For Teachers 7th - 12th
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.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Individual Rights - The Right To Equal Protection

For Teachers Higher Ed
Students examine the concepts of equal protection, discrimination, affirmative action, and racial profiling. They analyze the Equal Protection Clause, participate in a mock trial, and discuss the different parts of the trial.
Lesson Plan
National First Ladies' Library

The Education of Freedmen...and Women and Children

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Pupils examine political debate surrounding Freedmen's Bureau, use primary sources to explore trials and successes of effort to educate newly-freed slaves of all ages, research reasons for creation of Freedmen's Bureau, discuss President...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

No Friends but the Mountains: A Simulation on Kurdistan

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students read background information on the people of Kurdistan and explore the geographical, political and ethnic history of the region. They participate in a debate where they role-play various points of view in the conflict.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Author's Purpose

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students discuss and define what folk and fairy tales are. In this literature lesson, students construct their own working definitions for folk and fairy tales. Students choose to work as a class or in cooperative groups. Then students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Clearcutting: Sustainable Forestry?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore the conflicts between the economy and the environment by focusing on forest management in Maine. They read pamphlets on siliviculture and clear-cutting as well as those by environmental groups then conduct a debate on...