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Organizing A Persuasive Speech
Have the class listen to a lecture on persuasive speeches. They practice outlining and detailing the components of a persuasive speech. The lecture outline also includes suggestions for researching a topic or thesis, organizing the...
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Can Scientists Discover a Limit to Discovery?
Is there anything left to discover? Evaluate opposing sides of the debate regarding whether or not there is a future for scientific discovery. Middle and high schoolers assess quotations from the articles included to evaluate claims and...
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Westward Movement: Expansion or Encroachment?
Sixth graders create a portfolio of pictures and research primary resources to investigate if westward expansion was justified. For this westward expansion lesson plan, 6th graders discuss the effect the expansion had on Native American...
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The Ultimate Punishment
Students discover information about the death penalty debate. They explore the history of the death penalty and how it has changed over time. They examine supporting and opposing viewpoints of the issue.
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Issues and Opposing Views: Cloning
Learners complete analysis activities to compare and contrast an opposing view point in writing and orally. In this opposing views lesson, students complete research about cloning. Learners make presentations for their view points on the...
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Friday Forum
Middle schoolers research a variety of controversial articles to gain knowledge. They form an opinion and defend their position with supporting data. They evaluate opposing arguments and present their viewpoint both verbally and in the...
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The Holocaust
Students comprehension widens on the subject of the Holocaust by focusing on two different, yet related, experiences of Jews in Europe during the Holocaust. Those being death camps and life in major ghettos. They trace both commonalities...
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Why Should I Do Philanthropy?
Students explore the concept of philanthropy. In this service learning lesson plan, students consider the benefits of philanthropy as well as noting opposing viewpoints.
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Unauthorized Immigration and the U.S. Economy
Students examine unauthorized immigration in the United States. In this current issues lesson plan, students examine 4 letters written to the editor regarding unauthorized immigration. Students act as editors and analyze the letters...
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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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Weekly Current Events
Young scholars examine current events every week. Using the internet, they complete searches about specific events. In groups, they gather information to share with the class and discuss any opposing viewpoints.
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American Civil War: Conflicting Newspaper Reports
Learners examine the happenings at the Battle of Antietam from all sides. In this American Civil War activity, students analyze newspapers accounts from different perspectives regarding the battle and then write their own accounts of the...
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The Human Geonome Project Structured Controversy
High schoolers debate government funding of the Human Genome Project. In this ethics lesson, students use the stuctured controversy framework to research the opposing viewpoints regarding project funding.
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Science as a Source of Social Controversy
High schoolers research the two opposing views and biographical information about Ptolemy and Copernicus in order to be familiar with the societal viewpoints that influenced the thinking of these two scientists. Students role-play...
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Religion and Globalization
High schoolers consider the influence of religious values in global perspectives. In this global issues lesson, students research noted articles and documents about globalization, discuss the implications of living in a global society,...
My Access
“Banning Books” Lesson Plan
To Kill a Mockingbird, Hunger Games, Brave New World. Welcome to Banned Books Week. As part of a study of censorship and book banning, class members investigate censorship, the purposes of censorship, and First Amendment rights,...
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Face the Nation! A Panel Discussion
Sixth graders simulate an election-year debate between opposing political parties. In this persuasive-speech lesson plan, 6th graders will work in teams to prepare for and participate in a debate between opposing parties. The lesson plan...
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In the Global Ballpark
Students examine reasons for and against American baseball teams playing in international exhibition games by debating pros and cons of the issue from the perspectives of designated personas.
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Should Fitness Be Mandatory?
Students examine a website for viewpoints on fitness as a legal issue. They form positions on communal responsibility vs. personal freedoms and present to the class their positions.
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The Civil War
Students, examine The Civil War, from a variety of perspectives and assignments. After taking notes, they can choose from creating a front page newspaper article describing the fall of Fort Sumter, discuss the pros and cons of fighting,...
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African-American Iowans: History, contributions & Accomplishments.
Young scholars explore lives of African-Americans in Iowa. Students will examine biographies and discuss perspectives of African-Americans. They will then create posters illustrating elements of those lives finally, putting on a five act...
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Persuasive Essay
Students compose persuasive essays. In this written communication lesson, students follow the provided steps to prewrite, draft, and present persuasive essays on topics of their choosing. Rubrics and graphic organizers are provided.
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Writing about the world's fisheries (Calibrated Peer Review)
Students summarize the findings of the Pew Ocean Commission report "America's Living Oceans," contrast it to an opposing viewpoint, and recommend a fisheries policy based on their understanding. It includes a scoresheet that was created...
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Philanthropy in Michigan? Civil War Lesson 3: Why Should I Do Philanthropy?
Learners investigate the personal benefits a person can attain from performing philanthropic acts. They think about opposing viewpoints regarding choices, decision-making and consequences. They interview a person regarding their...