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Swift Response

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine how matters of national security affect the press' ability to practice free speech. They read and discuss an article regarding the Swift program, discuss opinions about patriotism and the press, and write a letter to the...
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Vanishing Verbs

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students analyze recent media trends, and develop critical thinking skills by summarizing main ideas, extracting details, formulating opinions, drawing inferences, and comparing and contrasting attitudes. They also practice paraphrasing...
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Maven Makeover?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students reflect on the role of prisons and discuss how they believe sentencing should be handed down. After reading an article, they discover the experiences Martha Stewart went through while in prison. In groups, they share their...
Worksheet
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Monument or Energy?

For Students 5th - 8th
For this national monument worksheet, students will read about the national monument in Utah and the pros and cons about it being a protected area. Students will complete 6 short answer questions based on what they read.
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REEL POLITICS: HOW HOLLYWOOD EXERCISES ITS FREEDOM OF SPEECH

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students list the five best films of the year, in their opinion; brainstorm a list of criteria for a "good" film. They compare their own lists with the nominees in this year's Academy Awards; consider patterns in Academy Award winners of...
Worksheet
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Cartoons for the Classroom: Taking a Stand

For Students 8th - 12th
In this current events worksheet, students analyze political cartoons that feature the use of persuasion and propaganda. Students respond to 2 short answer questions.
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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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Reality Check

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students evaluate different types of reality television programming in "focus groups" and then submit their opinions on this type of programming to a television network.
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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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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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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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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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White Collar Crime

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students discuss difference between crimes of deceit versus crimes of violence, define white-collar crime, and examine far reach of white collar crime laws. Students then analyze what differences exist between rationales for punishing...
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Carrot Sticks or French Fries?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners investigate the influence of fast food brand names on food choices and analyze the factors that contribute to branding preferences. They write an opinion essay on the corporate responsibility to influence food choices.
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America's Civil Rights Movement

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders explore, analyze and study the background to America's Civil Rights Movement through the court system, mass protest, public opinion, political cartoons and legislation. They research Rosa Parks, Brown vs. Board of...
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Separation of Powers

For Teachers 7th - 11th
Students examine the separation of powers in local and federal government. Using case studies, they review several instances of separation of powers. After reading the case studies, they write a brief opinion essays supporting their...
Worksheet
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Cartoons for the Classroom: Bushwhacked

For Students 8th - 12th
In this historical events worksheet, learners analyze political cartoons that feature caricatures of President George W. Bush. Students respond to 3 short answer questions.
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Painting Faces

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students study Robert Harris and his work. They examine his portraits and self-portraits and create their own self- portraits. They discuss the life of the artist and write a short biography.
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Brainstorming Time

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students brainstorm a list of possible topics for their essay. As a class, they review the characteristics of anecdotal writing and the form they take in newspapers or autobiographies. To end the lesson, they decide on their topic for...
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Facebook For Good!

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students use Facebook to create a positive campaign. In this campaign lesson plan, students choose a topic and create a group account on Facebook for their cause. They post a question and write an action plan to meet a goal. 
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Social, Political and Economic Effects of Industrialization

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders role-play a person living in the United States during the 1890s. Students research their role using focus questions about daily life, including standard of living.industrialization. They have the opportunity to ...
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"I Have a Dream" Presentation Speeches

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students write their own speech about their hopes and dreams and deliver it to the class.  In this "I Have a Dream" lesson plan, students create a speech using the Martin Luther King, Jr. speech as a model and for inspiration. ...
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Much Ado About Something (Lesson 3)

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students view a documentary on Shakespeare. They answer questions during the film. They discuss their observations and opinions about the documentary.
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Media Literacy Final Project

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students meet as a class to discuss a variety of media literacy topics before breaking into groups to conduct research on one aspect of the topic. In order to gather information, they watch episodes of the Simpson's television show and...