Curated OER
Cycling Through Controversy
Students research different perspectives and debate environmental issues. They consider different viewpoints when proposing solutions.
Curated OER
Debating Women's Rights
Third graders, in groups, debate Women's Rights and compare women of the past to the women of the present.
Curated OER
How To Save a Life
Students examine their own beliefs about the morality of capital punishment through a "where you stand" activity. They explore economic arguments about the costs, benefits and morality of capital punishments by reading and discussing...
Curated OER
Let's Debate - Demonstrating Effective Communication Skills
Students explore and engage in the art of debate. When both sides have been presented each pair have a few minutes to prepare a rebuttal based upon what the opposing side has said. A rubric imbedded in this plan is used as an assessment...
Curated OER
Democracy and the Canadian Parliamentary Process
Twelfth graders organize in groups representing a dictatorship, a triumvirate, and a democracy, and defend their position on current topics facilitated by the teacher.
Curated OER
Going Through A Phase
Students are introduced to remote sensing equipment used to gather information about the moon. They learn basic facts about the moon such as size, landforms, temperature and gravitational influence on the earth's tides.
Curated OER
Opening a Restaurant
Students design a survey of the public as to what type of food should be served in restaurant that they are "planning" to open.
Curated OER
Why Do People Do What They Do?
Students, in groups, develop questions on topics listed on a worksheet. They compare the results with other groups.
Curated OER
Slow-moving Process
Students explain why the Framers designed a long and complicated legislative process, and evaluate how effectively the legislative branch of the government is serving the purposes for which it was created.
Curated OER
"The Five Orange Pips" Lesson
Seventh graders read sections of a Sherlock Holmes novel. They identify references to hate groups that are the criminals in the story. They discuss the symbols found in the story.
Curated OER
The Second Amendment and the Right to Bear Arms
Students examine procedures and processes of the Michigan Supreme Court. They explain the Second Amendment to others. They compare and contrast two cases dealing with the Second Amendment.
Curated OER
The "Big Four" of the Michigan Supreme Court
Students identify the justices on the Michigan Supreme Court known as the "Big Four". They relate to them by researching their lives. They participate in an activity in which they practice their investigation and presentation skills.
Curated OER
Going Camping
Middle schoolers explore the concept of budgeting. In this budgeting lesson, students pretend to have $120 to spend on camping gear for a camping trip. Middle schoolers decide which items are absolutely necessary. Students calculate the...
Curated OER
Political Spectrum
In this political spectrum instructional activity, students view a PowerPoint presentation and respond to 11 short answer questions about political terms. The presentation is not included.
Better Lesson
Better Lesson: W.2.1 Write Opinion Pieces...
Choose from a variety of lessons to help your students write an effective opinion piece.
Better Lesson
Better Lesson: W.3.1d: Provide a Concluding Statement or Section
Links to 11 lessons and activities that build student skills in standard W.3.1d: Provide a concluding statement or section.
Education.com
Education.com: W.3.1.d Worksheets: Provide a Concluding Statement or Section
[Free Registration/Login Required] A site with links to 12 worksheets that can be downloaded and printed for student use while building skills with standard W.3.1.B: Provide a concluding statement or section.
Other
Oakland Writes: Student Exemplars: Seventh Grade: Persuasive Essay [Pdf]
A persuasive essay written by a seventh-grader with notes calling attention to important writing concepts evident in the essay including a well-written title, opening sentence, opinion statement, supporting details, call to action, and...
Better Lesson
Better Lesson: Letter to the Lunch Ladies
This lesson really allows readers to express their opinion regarding an issue that affects them - the lunch menu! Students will be guided through the writing process and then will write a convincing opinion piece by stating their...
Sophia Learning
Sophia: Argument Papers
A series of six screencast lessons explaining the process of argumentative writing. The first [4 min. 22 sec.] focuses on overall structure and purpose. The second [6 mins, 18 secs] explains how to state a claim. The third [6 min. 3...
Beacon Learning Center
Beacon Learning Center: Trailblazing Conclusions
This tutorial focuses on conclusions for expository writing. It discusses the purpose of conclusions, what should be included, and ways to conclude.
Can Teach
Can Teach: Letter to the Editor
"Students will analyze and interpret letters to the editor, and use this information to write their own." Lesson plan indicated for 6th grade, could be adapted for Elementary School.
Education.com
Education.com: L.1.1.j Worksheets
[Free Registration/Login Required] In first grade, students are taught to independently write different types of sentences. These types include declarative (a statement of fact or opinion), interrogative (a question), imperative (a...