Citizens Crime Commission of New York City
A Student’s Guide to Using Social Media Safely
While the kids in your class tap quickly on their electronic devices to stay in touch with their peers, they may not know the consequences of online social lives. Take them through a discussion about potential downfalls of a social media...
Anti-Defamation League
Teens, Tech, Connect: How Technology Impacts Teenagers' Friendships
To understand their time spent online, class members chart their use of technology during early morning hours, during school, after school, in the evenings, and on weekends. They then read several reports about how social media...
Curated OER
Social Issues
Students examine issues that affect Americans every day and create a documentary regarding a selected topic. In small groups they select an issue, conduct Internet research, and create an information sheet. Students write interview...
Curated OER
Marketing to Teens: Introduction
An introductory lesson plan shows learners how pervasive and influential advertising is in our culture; particularly, how teenagers are actively targeted by advertisers. As teenagers, your students already have all the information they...
Curated OER
Smoking Today = Smoking Tomorrow
Examine statistical data to recognize the relationship of statistics to real-world issues. Pupils navigate e-stat using the Internet and find data about social issues. They complete a worksheet with their data and create an anti-smoking...
Curated OER
Homophobia: What is It? What Can We Do About It?
A two-part lesson plan focuses on the sensitive issues of homophobia, discrimination, sexuality, and gender. Middle schoolers discuss individual and institutional discrimination, personal rights, homosexuality, and bullying.
Curated OER
Teen Immigrants: Five American Stories
Students watch the PBS program "In the Mix" about teen immigrants. They discover the number of immigrants in America and their problems moving to this country. They answer questions as the film plays.
Curated OER
How the Supreme Court Affects the Lives of Teens
High schoolers describe the structure and function of the United States Supreme Court. They examine and analyze decisions made by the Court. They participate in a debate about recent issues.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
What Parents Need to Know About Marijuana Use and Teens
The teenage years find adolescents yearning for independence—and often isolating their parents from their everyday lives. Educate parents on the warning signs of marijuana use, including its effects on the brain and the likelihood of...
Curated OER
Slavery in My World: Educating for Peace and Social Change
Young scholars research present-day slavery issues in a particular country and present their findings to the class. In this slavery in our world instructional activity, students discover the nature and extent of slavery in modern...
Media Smarts
Gender Messages in Alcohol Advertising
Make your students critical consumers of media, and foster an awareness of how culture is reflected and shaped by media. This resource covers how alcohol advertising presents and promotes gender stereotypes. After a discussion on...
Curated OER
Canadian Social Trends
Students use surveys to explore how to design graphs, tables, and diagrams. They discuss articles which can stimulate ideas for research topics, or surveys of their own.
Curated OER
Social Change
In this apartheid instructional activity, students read a 1-page selection about teenagers who have lived with apartheid and then respond to 6 short answer questions.
Giraffe Heroes Project
It’s Up to Us
The Giraffe Heroes Program is designed for teens willing to stick their necks out to make a difference, and to create community service projects that tackle real world problems. The resource guides teens to choose an issue, design a...
Curated OER
What's Legal with Music on the Web?
Student research legalities of downloading music from Internet, gather information on citizens who have been charged with downloading/copyright crimes, find out who is working to create new laws dealing with this technology, explore what...
BW Walch
Vending Machine Bans Increase in Schools Nationwide
Does a ban on vending machines infringe on student rights, or do school officials have an obligation to monitor foods sold on school grounds? Your class members will explore the educational, health, and financial issues related to...
Curated OER
Immigration: Stories, Struggles and Debates
Considering including Tatyana Kleyn's Immigration: The Ultimate Teen Guide as part of your course? Check out this curriculum guide designed for use with her book. The activities help learners understand the complexity of the immigration...
Administrative Office of the US Courts
Elonis v. U.S.
With the explosion of social media sites, with online threats and cyber bullying, issues of freedom of speech have taken on a whole new aspect. Elonis v. U.S. represents the first time the Supreme Court has considered whether or not...
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: Google vs. China
Censorship remains a hot topic among teens. Evoke heated discussion with this political cartoon analysis handout, which features 2 cartoons focused on China's internet censorship. Background information gives pupils a brief description...
Curated OER
Social Studies: Parent - Teen Relationships
Learners discuss the characteristics and responsibilities associated with parent - teen relationships. They compose lists of issues they have with their parents and explain how they feel about them. In groups, students write lists of...
Curated OER
Darfur: Teaching About the Issues Darfur: Teaching About the Issues
Students explore the conflict in Darfur. In this Darfur lesson, students listen to their instructor present a lecture regarding the background of the conflict in Darfur. Students read about the refugee camps and what life is like for the...
Curated OER
Choice of Media
Students view artwork that address issues of representational politics and political campaigns. They journal to describe political and social issues that are important to them. They create art work that represents an important issue in...
Social Skills Central
Photo Cartoons: How To Give A Compliment
Help learners develop the ability to offer appropriate, meaningful compliments to others—an essential social skill. Here you'll find a quick photo cartoon illustrating a right and wrong way to give a compliment, as well as a brief...
Scholastic
Drug Abuse in Social Settings: A Serious Task for Teens
Students discuss why drug abuse risk is higher in social settings. In this health science lesson, students interpret real life statistics on teen drug use. They describe refusal and prevention strategies.