Curated OER
Words from the Wise
Students explore how famous people, through newspaper Op-Ed articles, often inform the public about issues of national importance. They write Op-Eds in the voice of famous people on current news topics.
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Space-Age Experiments
Students evaluate the notion of aging by reviewing some of the studies that occurred on John Glenn's space shuttle mission.
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A Sore Sight for Eyes
Pupils consider 'visual blights', including technology-related ones, in their communities.
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Vaulting Into Olympic History
Learners explore history of the Olympics. They research and then create an 'Olympics Hall of Fame' for the classroom.
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Full Court Press
Young scholars investigate the Supreme Court's role and function in the federal government and examine how Chief Justice Rehnquist's illness might affect the future of the Court. They write letters to President Bush on the Supreme Court...
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Who or What is Un-American?
Students explore concepts about civil liberties, research the history of sedition-related legislation in the U.S. and create a position paper on the topic.
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Chicago On Stage
Young scholars view a film about the genres and disciplines of performing arts. They examine the theatre community in Chicago and the origins of theatre companies. They answer questions and discuss them to end the lesson.
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Making a Globe
Students examine the mercator projection or nautical chart and observe how global maps do not have the same distance as flat maps. They design handmade globes using the meridians and equator as guides to draw in the land. They paint and...
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The Oily "Grail"
Students discover the quest for a balance between oil exploration and a concern for the environment in Alaska. They synthesize their knowledge by debating the current length of the oil-drilling season.
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African-American Innovators
Students investigate the contributions of African Americans throughout history. They research and identify accomplishments of various African American Scientists/Innovators in recognition of Black History Month.
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Pay to Learn?
Students discuss the concept of schools paying students as an incentive for scoring higher on standardized tests. They debate the key issues of this question and write a letter to the local board of education expressing their position.
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Justice Served?
Young scholars familiarize themselves with high-ranking Bush administration officials who have recently resigned and with various elements of political cartoons. THey research the role of the attorney general and the issues that...
Curated OER
Deportation in Narration
Learners explore both sides of the United States immigration issue. Through research, they explore the increase in the deportations of undocumented immigrants over the last year, and the impact deportation has had on one immigrant...