PBS
News Hour Extra: Obama Overturns Restrictions on Stem Cell Research
Utilize this segment highlighting President Barack Obama's reversal of the decisions the Bush Administration regarding stem cell research in the classroom. March 10, 2009.
PBS
Pbs Newshour: Supreme Court Rules Against Gun Ban
The Second Amendment and the right for United States citizens to bear arms is an issue often contested throughout the United States today. A recent ruling by the US Supreme Court is another example of such issues. June 30, 2010
PBS
Pbs News Hour: Arizona Passes New Immigration Law
A great deal of controversy surrounds Arizona's new immigration law that makes it mandatory for suspected illegal immigrants to carry proper documentation of their status, or they could be detained by the police. This article is...
British Library
British Library: Taking Liberties
A series of where-do-you-stand scenarios weighs the rights of citizens alongside issues of online censorship, freedom from want, the monarchy, voting restrictions for prisoners, and a host of contentious contemporary concerns among the...
Georgia Department of Education
Ga Virtual Learning: Contemporary Literature: Contemporary Issues
This lesson is an introduction to contemporary issues in today's literature and the use of propaganda and persuasion.
Texas Education Agency
Texas Gateway: Conservative Resurgence of the 1980s and 1990s
Given information about social issues throughout U.S. history, students will describe the causes and effects of significant societal issues.
Other
Isabel Allende
The Chilean author Isabel Allende's official website--includes biographical information as well as summaries and reviews of her work. The site also contains a list of awards, a photo gallery, and other resources.
NPR: National Public Radio
Npr: Bringing Mothers in Prison Closer to Their Children
Article reports on the Lullaby Project, an effort which is helping mothers in prison form bonds with their children by writing their own lullabies. Includes and audio version of the story and a playlist of lullabies created by project...
Utah Education Network
Uen: What Makes the Writer Write?
This lesson plan engages students in reading and research related to the Victorian Era. Students will analyze this time period's influence on the writings of Charles Dickens. Then students will analyze how today's authors incorporate...
Other
The Big Deal Book Online: Web Wednesday Archive
An archive of bi-weekly newsletters for teachers that focuses on 21st century critical thinking skills. Each newsletter reviews websites related to a particular issue, topic, or theme, with valuable teaching tools, lesson plans, and/or...
Other
International Debate Education Association: Debate: Society
A selection of debate topics focused on societal issues, often on an international scale. Each topic includes a clear statement of the argument, a list of points for and against, suggested support for each (point and counterpoint), and a...
New York Times
New York Times: Learning Network: 401 Prompts for Argumentative Writing [Pdf]
This is a list of 401 writing prompts for argumentative writing including topics about social media and cellphones, technology in the schools, gender issues, sports, TV, movies, video games, and much more. W.9-10.10 Write Routinely....
CNN
Cnn en Espanol: Week of 2 24 14: Arizona Aprueba Negar El Servicio a Los Gays
In Spanish. Article reports on a controversial law approved in Arizona that allows business to refuse service to gays and lesbians.
East of England Broadband Network
E2 Bn: History's Heroes: Great Campaigners
It is important that students be good citizens and play and understand the people who campaign various issues in their environment. This particular unit identifies some fine campaigners who used their religion to influence their lives....
Curated OER
Cbc News in Depth: The Decline of Smoking in Canada
An interesting overview of smoking trends in Canada as compiled by Statistics Canada 2005. (February 15, 2007)
ProCon.org
Pro Con: School Uniforms
Website for students dedicated to exploring controverisal issues looks at the pros and cons of wearing school uniforms. Content provides background, outline of both sides of the issue and video for analysis and debate.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Molly of Denali: The Making of Grandpa's Drum
Learn more about the real-life experiences of Alaska Natives who were sent away to far-away boarding schools, in this behind-the-scenes video [2:55] about the "Grandpa's Drum" story in the PBS Kids series Molly of Denali. Use this inside...
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Mit: Open Course Ware: Current Events and Social Issues
This course outline offers resources for studying controversial social issues of both the present and past.
US Census Bureau
U.s. Census Bureau: Income Inequality
This U.S. Census Bureau site is a brief look at U.S. Income Inequality and includes links to full reports and census data explaining this issue. It is a good site for the serious student.
Polk Brothers Foundation Center for Urban Education at DePaul University
De Paul University: Center for Urban Education: Letter to the Mayor [Pdf]
"Letter to the Mayor" is a one page, nonfiction letter written to the mayor by 2000 school children in Chicago. In the letters, the children addressed issues such as trash, gangs, computers, playgrounds, and safer streets. After reading...
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Marching to the Beat of a Different Drum
By using music and various writings, students will explore the advantages and disadvantages of conforming to society's expectations at this site.
Other
The Earth Times
The Earth Times newspaper covers the latest in environmental issues such as world population, conflict-resolution, governance, human-rights and trade.
Other
Enki Village: Social Issues in America: Top 10 Social Issues in America
An article addresses the ten primary concerns in the United States from obesity to illegal immigration when discussing social issues.
Other
Ifpri: Ecoregional Perspective on Malnutrition (Pdf) [Pdf]
This site provides an eco-regional perspective on the issue of malnutrition with charts on prevalance in different areas.