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Who To Believe?
Learners interpret meaning from opposing views on the same topic, and discuss that there is often so much "spin" and "hidden agendas" in the media.
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Exploring the History of Canyon De Chelly: The Navajos
Students are introduced to the novel Sing Down The Moon written by Scott O'Dell. Throughout the book, after each chapter is read, class discussions and journal writing is incorporated into the unit.
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Literature Review
Students review for a literature exam by answering knowledge question, interpretation questions and judgement questions about a novel or story they have just read.
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We Wish You a Merry Something, America
In this we wish you a merry something, America instructional activity, 8th graders read or listen to a paragraph explaining that the term merry Christmas is not politically correct in America. Students discuss 4 warm up...
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Killer Coal
Students explore some of the environmental health risks involved with both the mining and burning of coal. They read articles on coal in the Balkan Peninsula, view the photographs, and then discuss what feelings and thoughts they have...
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Human Rights Issues Around the World
Seventh graders begin the lesson by comparing and contrasting the Bill of Rights with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. For each document, they highlight the material that is the same for both and discuss the items that are...
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Oregon City: A Convergence of Endings
Students describe the activities that occurred in the Willamette Valley before the establishment of the Oregon Trail and agricultural settlement and explain the impact that American settlement had on the landscape and native groups who...
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Extracting Meaning From What We See
Young scholars recognize that all cultures have the same needs that they try to satisfy in ways that their predecessors found effective in their particular environments. Students discover how and why cultures change their customs.
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Political Cartoons: Thinking Broadly, Communicating Succinctly
Learners think broadly about the tsunami disaster and its aftermath through studying cartoons. Students critically think about the literary devices the authors/artists use, such as satire, metaphor and personification.
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Let's Clean the Beach!
Students volunteer their time to clean a local park. They estimate the amount of debris they collect and make observations. They write a poem and draw an illustration about their experience.
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In Defense of Elitism
High schoolers identify the key components of an argument essay. They differentiate between claims based on facts, opinions, beliefs,and prejudice. Students develop skills of critical thinking in this lesson.
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Prospero: Turkey or Tyrant?
Students study characterization and the difference between subjective and objective points of view by creating tableaux to depict three interpretations of the story of Prospero's overthrow, each with a very different point of view. They...
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Mandatory Sentencing
Students review mandatory sentencing and brainstorm opinions based on Measure 11. They work in groups, hear case study then determine significan facts, the correct charge and the sentencing for the case. They discuss actual outcomes of...
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Understanding Wilderness
Young scholars research and analyze an historical wilderness issue or event after discussing opinions on preservation of wilderness and key players and events in the history of wilderness preservation. After research is complete,...
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Controlling Nuclear Weapons: Debating the Non-proliferation Treaty
Students brainstorm about their prior knowledge of nuclear weapons and answer questions related to nuclear weapons based upon this brainstorming.
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Christmas Truce
Students research the Christmas truce during World War I. In this social studies lesson, students discuss World War I and the Christmas Truce. Students write a response about the truce.
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The Underground Railroad
Learners use vocabulary related to the Underground Railroad. They identify key facts related to the Underground Railroad, evaluate their personal responses to the Underground Railroad and make a judgment about the morality of the...
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How Far Does Light Go?
Students engage in research from the internet to search for facts concerning the scientific properties of light. The information is collected in order to gather evidence for a classroom debate. The debate includes a question and answer...
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To Vote or Not To Vote
Ninth graders discuss if it was worth some groups fighting for the right to vote. In groups, they participate in a debate in which they discuss whether the right to vote is a responsiblity by its members. They create their own piece of...
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Interviewing
Students practice their interviewing skills in this lesson. Using the internet, they plan for the interview process and could be used in their overall project. They must decide what information they want to get out of their interview and...
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Exploring Air Issues
Students collects survey data from their community on air pollution. In this environmental science lesson, students consider the opinion of the community on air pollution and create a plan to reduce it. Students plan on creating a...
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Fluoride in Durango's Water-Helpful or Harmful?
Third graders complete several activities in their quest to find out about the addition of fluoride to city water. First, they create a guide sheet to help organize notes. The next two steps involve taking notes through guided practice....
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Social Studies: Indian Land Claims
Students examine the Maine Indian Land Claims Case and determine the equity of the settlement. In groups, they evaluate and defend various topics related to the case and complete worksheets clarifying their positions. After presenting...
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Thinking inside the Box: Dangers of Tanning Beds
Students research their assigned position pro- or con- for the statement "The use of tanning beds by teens should be regulated" and write a short position paper. They participate in a debate concerning the statement. Students write a one...