Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

A Nation Divided

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
Can a presidential election cause a civil war? Learners research the events surrounding the presidential election of 1860 in a lesson that explores America's history. Using maps, videos, and primary sources, they uncover, brainstorm, and...
Lesson Plan
EngageNY

Analyzing the Power of Different Mediums: Little Rock Girl 1957

For Teachers 8th Standards
Scholars begin the instructional activity by watching a video of media history and discussing it in a Turn and Talk. They then look at the texts A Mighty Long Way and Little Rock Girl 1957 to make a connection to the role of the press in...
Lesson Plan
National Woman's History Museum

Rosie the Riveter: The Embodiment of the American Woman’s Economic and Social Awakening

For Teachers 11th - 12th Standards
Critical events force change. World War II forced a change in perceptions of and attitudes toward women. When thousands of men joined the military American factories were left shorthanded. Young historians investigate how media was used...
Lesson Plan
Anti-Defamation League

Bias, Bullying and Bad Behavior in the NFL

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
A 2014 case of locker room behavior in the National Football League offers high schoolers an opportunity to get involved in the conversation of bullying and abuse. Class members read about the case and analyze quotes that reveal...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Adapting to a New Culture

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders examine how American Indians adapted and interacted with other ethnic and cultural groups. They analyze what kinds of current issues Utah's American Indians are facing today.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Disneyland Celebrates 50th Birthday

For Students 5th - 10th
In this current events worksheet, students read an article about Disneyland celebrating its' 50th birthday and answer eight true or false questions, 10 synonym matching questions, and 10 phrase matching questions based on the article.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sudan -- Efforts to Avert Genocide in the Making

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine current events in Sudan and their efforts to prevent another genocide. They identify the roles of different humanitarian organizations in the area. They research the efforts to bring those accused of genocide to justice.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Separate But Equal Opinions

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers examine the ways in which editorials and Op-Ed pieces respond to current events. They write editorials in response to news items from the New York Times.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Media Shapes Perception

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students explain the impact that the media may have in shaping their intellectual and emotional responses to current events. They examine broadcast and Web-based news sites to find subtexts through the use of language, audio, and visual...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Decision to Americanize the War in Vietnam

For Teachers 10th - 11th
Young scholars research the major events of the Vietnam War and construct a timeline. They do the same with the presidency of Lyndon B. Johnson or the 1960's. They act as an advisor to President Johnson to recommend a course of action...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

US Policy Toward Egypt: A Dialogue

For Teachers 8th - 11th
Students examine U.S. foreign policy concerning the 2011 Egyptian uprising. In this current events lesson, students discuss the uprising in Egypt and examine news reports related to it. Students then discuss their feelings about the...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Cartoons for the Classroom: Tooning into a Media Frenzy

For Students 8th - 12th
In this current events worksheet, students analyze a political cartoon about Anna Nicole Smith's death and respond to 3 talking point questions.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Cartoons for the Classroom: The Right to Know vs. Government Secrecy

For Students 8th - 12th
In this current events worksheet, students analyze political cartoons about government secrecy and respond to 3 talking point questions.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Cartoons for the Classroom: Tooning into the Olympics

For Students 8th - 12th
In this current events worksheet, learners analyze political cartoons about the commercialism of the modern Olympics. Students then respond to 3 short answer questions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Scientists Discover Giant Frog Fossil

For Teachers 2nd - 8th
Students examine a world map and read a news article about the discovery of a giant frog fossil. In this earth science and current event lesson plan, the teacher introduces an article with a discussion about continental drift and a...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Cartoons for the Classroom: Stand by for Regime Change

For Students 8th - 12th
For this current events worksheet, students analyze a political cartoon about the lame-duck period for Presidents-elect and respond to 3 talking point questions.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Cartoons for the Classroom: Tooning into the Candidates: Barack Obama

For Students 8th - 12th
In this current events worksheet, students analyze a political cartoon about Barak Obama and respond to 3 talking point questions.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Cartoons for the Classroom: Explaining Social Security with a Metaphor

For Students 8th - 12th
In this current events worksheet, students analyze a political cartoon about Social Security. Students then respond to 4 short answer questions.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Cartoons for the Classroom: 2004 Presidential Election

For Students 8th - 12th
In this current events worksheet, students analyze a political cartoon about the 2004 election and respond to 5 short answer questions.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Cartoons for the Classroom: Drawing the Line

For Students 8th - 12th
In this current events learning exercise, students read about the attributes of political and editorial cartoonists. Students then respond to 2 short answer questions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Will Smog be a Problem at the Olympic Games?

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students locate China on a world map, then read a news article about pollution in Beijing. In this current events lesson, the teacher introduces the article with a discussion about smog and a vocabulary activity, then students read the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

U.S. Constitution - Checks and Balances

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students examine the separation of powers of the branches of the U.S. federal government. For this U.S. Constitution lesson, students listen to a SMART Board supported lecture on checks and balances of the Judicial, Legislative, and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Breaking News: Second Explosion at Japan Nuclear Plant (14th March, 2011)

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students explore current events by sharing information about the Japanese nuclear plant. In this nuclear energy activity, students discuss the pros and cons of nuclear energy plants and whether or not they can typically withstand natural...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Cartoons for the Classroom: Spinning off of Eyjafjallajökul

For Students 8th - 12th
In this current events worksheet, students analyze a political cartoon about the eruption of Eyjafjallajökul and respond to 3 talking point questions.