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Giving It the Old College Try

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars discuss opinions they have about entering college. Reading an article on advice from parents, they discuss what their own parents are telling them. They role-play different conflict resolution scenerios. They also write a...
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Consumer Confusion: Wants versus Needs and Gandhi's Wisdom

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders create graphs to illustrate consumer consumption throughout the world. In this consumer lesson plan, 4th graders also discuss wants and needs around the world, and consider Gandhi's opinion on material possessions as they...
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Dictator For a Day

For Teachers K - 5th
Students discuss dictatorship. In this Social Studies lesson, students review Julius Caeser's rule over Ancient Rome and they elect one student to be dictator for the day. They write about the pros and cons of having a dictator. 
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Teens on Trial

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students read about the public reaction to the conviction of Alex and Derek King, and explore the issue of child offenders being tried and sentenced as adults. They compose letters to Florida Governor Jeb Bush, outlining their opinion on...
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Judicial Void

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore the impact of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor on the Supreme Court. They research potential nominees to replace her, in light of her resignation, and write letters to President George W. Bush to share opinions of the...
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Legally Wed

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore the controversial topic of same-sex marriages in a fishbowl discussion. They write balanced news articles based on interviews exploring people's opinions on laws that define marriage.
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Democracy in Action

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars consider words that reflect their knowledge and opinions about democracy. They work in groups to research countries that have recently transitioned to democratic forms of government.
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A Tale of Two Wars

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners create Venn diagrams comparing and contrasting the Vietnam and Iraq wars. They write informed letters to their senators expressing their opinions and possible solutions to the war. They also create mock bumper stickers...
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A Different World?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students share their opinions in a brainstorming session on the factors that contribute to their quality of life. They read the article "Life Is Better; It Isn't Better. Which Is It?," from the NY Times and discuss the article as a...
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Here Comes The… Bill

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students share opinions about importance of milestone events they might host or attend. They then prepare estimated budgets for parties based on established budget totals, and compare their estimates against the real costs.
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Life in Pictures

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students share opinions about the typical images that represent life in New York City. They create their own scavenger hunts to find images that represent the intrinsic character of their respective communities.
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Historical Context: Discovering a Painting

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students analyze a work of art.  In this historical context lesson, students research the time period in which the art they observed was created.  Students consider differing opinions about a work of art. 
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QUALITY OR QUANTITY

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students share opinions about the criteria they consider important in an online search engine. Using Google and Yahoo, they investigate various subjects and compare their search results. To synthesize their findings, students prepare...
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Be Our Guest

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students share their own opinions about proper and poor etiquette in school. After reading an article, they discover matters of etiquette and conflict that occur during holiday rituals. They role-play the potential conflicts and...
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Talk About the Passion

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students think critically about artistic freedom and evaluate the aims and effectiveness of censorship and education. They begin an investigation of the ongoing controversy surrounding Mel Gibson's "The Passion of Christ" by reading "New...
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Unleash the Power of Poetry in Your Classroom

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students can gain an appreciation of poetry by being encouraged to express their opinions and ideas.
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The Dip Felt Around the World

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students share their opinions about a story about a sudden decline in China's stock markets. After reading an article, they identify the global impact of China's falling stock markets. They create a cause and effect map about the fall...
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The Lorax Explorations

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students read and debate the purpose of Dr. Seuss' The Lorax, analyze its story elements, and write their own The Lorax II.
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Check Mate

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars share opinions about the goals and strategies of the games they play. They investigate the World Chess Championship by reading and discussion the article "In Major League of Chess, Next Year Comes So Soon." Students...
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A Picture Changes 1000 Minds

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students choose a Times photograph and write a brief essay explaining what they think is happening in the photograph and how it makes them feel. They select and analyze photographs depicting events in the Balkans and create a news photo...
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Stamp of Approval

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students share opinions about what constitutes a worthy design for a postage stamp. They research a subject and design a postage stamp to submit to the United States Postal Service.
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Guild v. Google

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students share opinions about what constitutes fair use of copyright materials and participate in a mock trial arguing the case of The Authors Guild v. Google.
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Lura Pierce

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students express opinions on eavesdropping on citizens, read the article "GOP Senators sat Accord is Set on Wiretapping", and debate issues presented in the article. They create letters to send to Congress presenting their concerns.
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Comstockery vs. Eakins

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
Students research Eakins' teaching methods. They incorporate research to prepare and present a verbal argument. They understand and articulate a perspective and develop their own opinion.