Curated OER
Arti-Factual Evidence
Practice responding to controversial information with the New York Times lesson provided here. Middle schoolers watch a video interview with the director of The Lost Tomb of Jesus. After reading a companion article, they identify the...
Curated OER
Black Power
Use this New York Times activity to research contemporary leaders in the African-American community. After reading the article "Blacks Weigh the Impact of the Post-Jackson Years," middle and high schoolers discuss the varying viewpoints...
Curated OER
Persuasive Writing - Anticipating Opposing Views
Persuasion, when used effectively, is a powerful and effective tool. In groups, young writers develop a persuasive letter about something that they would like their parents to allow them to do. Then, independently, they use proper...
Curated OER
Why A Bill of Rights?
Examine conflicting viewpoints in this lesson, in which middle schoolers write their own proposal for including a Bill of Rights in the Constitution. As a class, they discover how the Bill of Rights was not a planned document to be...
Curated OER
Debate the Daily Dilemma
Have your class practice their persuasion skills by participating in a class debate. They will discuss a dilemma and detail each point of view. Divided into both sides of the argument, they work in groups to create a well-rounded...
Curated OER
Organizing A Persuasive Speech
Have the class listen to a lecture on persuasive speeches. They practice outlining and detailing the components of a persuasive speech. The lecture outline also includes suggestions for researching a topic or thesis, organizing the...
Curated OER
Persuasive Essay
Students compose persuasive essays. In this written communication activity, students follow the provided steps to prewrite, draft, and present persuasive essays on topics of their choosing. Rubrics and graphic organizers are provided.
Other
Harvard University: Justice With Michael Sandel
Justice with Michael Sandel is a twelve-part university-level course about justice, equality, democracy, and citizenship that Harvard University has opened to the public. Using a video-lecture format, Justice gives viewers turns to...
Read Works
Read Works: Do Animals Have Feelings?
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text debating whether or not animals feel various emotions. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Read Works
Read Works: Are Public Curfews Fair?
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text debating public curfews for teens. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Read Works
Read Works: Book Battles
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text debating whether or not some books should be banned from school libraries. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Read Works
Read Works: News Debate Snowed Out!
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text debating whether schools should or should not have snow days. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Read Works
Read Works: Taking Out the Trash Talk
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text that argues whether trash talking should or should not be banned from professional sports. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Read Works
Read Works: Drilling for Alaska
[Free Registration/Login Required] Students read about drilling for oil in Alaska. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in comparing and contrasting.
Read Works
Read Works: Time to Think
[Free Registration/Login Required] Students read about the possibility of making the school day longer. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in comparing and contrasting.
Read Works
Read Works: The Weight Debate
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text debating whether or not schools should send reports home about students' body mass index (BMI). A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Read Works
Read Works: Battle Over the Pledge
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text debating whether or not the Pledge of Allegiance should be said in schools. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Read Works
Read Works: Looking Up to the Stars
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text debating whether stars have a duty to be role models or not. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Read Works
Read Works: News Debate: Atten Hut!
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text debating restrictions to military recruiting in high schools. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Read Works
Read Works: The Sweet Life
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text debating the health risks of artificial sweeteners. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Read Works
Read Works: News Debate: Sew Long?
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text debating whether home economics courses should or should not be taught in schools. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Writing Fix
Writing Fix: Compare and Contrast Lesson: Opposing Points of View in History
After reading/listening to the picture book I am the Dog I am the Cat by Donald Hall in which two characters have opposing viewpoints, learners are asked to look deeply at opposing viewpoints of real people just before the Revolutionary...
Lumen Learning
Lumen: Writing Skills: Formula for Refutation and Rebuttal
This lesson focuses on the formula for refuting and rebutting counterarguments including accurately representing opposing viewpoints, using a respectful, non-incendiary tone, using reliable information, using qualifying words to aid...
Read Works
Read Works: News Debate: Religion on Display
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text debating whether or not schools should be allowed to display the 10 Commandments. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.