Curated OER
The Last Abortion Clinic: Key Constitutional Issues of the Abortion Debate
Students discuss the Constitution of the United States and its amendments, then apply this discussion by creating a "Who should Decide What?" list, based upon their ideas about whether controversial issues such as abortion and medical...
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Active Voice
Students identify the qualities that contribute to effective verbal and non-verbal communication. They use those qualities as criteria by which to judge an in-class political debate on education.
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Effective Speaking in a Debate
High schoolers examine and discuss the concept of stage fright. They demonstrate positive debate techniques, constructively critique other speakers, and implement debate techniques for a practice debate.
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WWI Through the Film, Foot Soldiers
If your historians are watching the History Channel documentary, Foot Soldiers during their WWI unit, this plan has some simple recall questions and one referential/debate question ("What was the worst part of the war?") to ask after...
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Voting
Students participate in a role play where they run for office and address the issues they want to fix. In this voting lesson plan, students then vote on which candidate they want to run their classroom.
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Stem Cell Research
Students examine embryonic cell research and the controversy that surrounds it. In this stem cell lesson students use a debate model and present and defend their positions.
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Lost on a Deserted Island
Third graders practice brainstorming with their classmates as they discuss a role-play situation. In this group discussion instructional activity, 3rd graders must present ideas of ways to survive on a deserted island by discussing...
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Gender Disparity on Display
Students explore an article and discuss what gender differences. For this exploring gender lesson students divide into groups and develop a social theory.
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What Came First, the Chicken or the Egg?
Students explore the concept of nutrition. In this nutrition lesson, students identify the benefit of eggs as a nutritional meal or snack. Students also discover how to prepare easy meals or snacks using eggs.
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The Amistad Case: A Mock Trial
Students hold a mock trial. In this Amistad case activity, students prepare for and participate in a mock trial regarding the Amistad case and determine the fate of the Africans recovered on the ship.
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Were Lewis and Clark respectful to the Native Americans they encountered on their journey?
Sixth graders debate whether or not Lewis and Clark were respectful of Native Americans they encountered on their journey. In this American History lesson, 6th graders review primary documents and diary entries from the Lewis and...
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Albert Parsons
Learners determine whether a hanging victim is guilty or not guilty. In this introductory law lesson, students use numerous documents to present their case proving Albert Parsons as either guilty or not guilty.
Education World
Human Nature- Good or Evil?
Students explore the philosophical nature of good vs. evil. In this literacy/philosophy lesson, students read and discuss media articles that illustrate human nature as inherently "good" or "evil." Students practice debating skills and...
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Argument
Students write and discuss opposing points of view. In this argument activity, students learn to understand what an argument is and they get to argue one side of a disagreement. An alternative written assignment is provided. A worksheet...
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Making a Formal Argument - "The Most Important Word"
In this formal argument instructional activity, students learn debate skills by writing a formal argument to the given prompt. Students must be able to state their position, provide points that support their decision, and support each...
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How To Argue Without Cheating
In this debate worksheet, students read and learn about the fine points of debate and persuasion. The vocabulary presented and the ideas are quite advanced; premise, conclusion, syllogism, ad homineum, and other difficult terms.
Curated OER
Who Are Travellers?
Learners visit specified websites to research zoning information in Essex. They participate in a role play to present a zoning request to a city council. Groups of students prepare their side of the case and create their proposal to be...
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The Great Kapok Tree Debate
Students participate in a read aloud of the story, "The Great Kapok Tree" in which a logger decides not to cut down a tree. In small groups, they discuss and write about their opinion on the logger's decision. Each group then presents...
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Suspect Sources at the Republican Debate
Students explore and analyze statements made during a televised presidential debate. In groups, they research and test the validity of the statements made by the presidential contenders. Students examine sources and draw conclusions on...
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How Does School Work?
Students identify and interpret what their school is like and how it works. They watch animations and slideshows on the government website. Students also develop thinking skills by examining the way voting and democracy works through...
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National Debate Over Treaty Ratification
High schoolers review the main points of the Versailles Treaty. In groups, they analyze a variety of political cartoons about Wilson and the treaty itself and share their findings with the class after completing a worksheet. To end the...
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The Holocaust's Legacy
Students investigate contemporary hate groups and then participate in a debate on tolerating their existence of the Holocaust. They work in groups to conduct research. Students use print and Web resources to identify one or more...
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Debating Teenage Rights
Students deal with 'real world' questions in settings that resemble Congress or the courtroom. They identify a problem, find causes, research possible solutions, determine the best solution, and plan a means of implementing the best...
Curated OER
Building a Better Argument
High schoolers identify the major components of arguments. They deconstruct several arguments in order to relate the differences between premises and conclusions. Students review several documents and identify the way arguments can be...