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Don't Type To Strangers
Students create Web advertisements to protect young people from online predators. For homework, they write letters pitching their ads and analyzing their effect. They discuss their own use of the Internet and how to protect young people.
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Alien Invasions
Students create an educational pamphlet on the origins, spread and impact of invasive plant species in their community.
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Keeping an Appointment
Students studey about Bernard B. Kerik's decision to withdraw his nomination as homeland security secretary by President Bush. They hold a mock vetting process for other potential nominees for this position.
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Intimidation of a Nation
Students discuss their understanding of "intimidation." In groups, they analyze and discuss recent terrorist threats to the scheduled democratic elections in Iraq, and then reflect on whether they believe the elections should continue as...
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Poets of Christmas Past
Students consider the meanings of Christmas by reading an op-ed. As a class, they then create a sequel to the poem "A Visit from Saint Nicholas," in which "Mamma" tells a story about the history of Christmas.
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Trials and Tribulations
Students explore their beliefs about objectivity and the United States justice system. They examine the facets of a criminal case by researching various aspects of the judicial system and apply what they have learned to the Michael...
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Deadly Diseases
Students consider the social, political, environmental, economic, medical and other considerations for why particular countries experience outbreaks of certain infectious diseases.
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Controlling Substances
Students consider their own understanding of household safety, examine the latest remedy deemed poisonous by physicians, and research the hazards of household products. They create public service announcements regarding potential hazards.
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All the News That's Fit to Blog
Students critique three Web logs, each of which offers first-hand accounts, but reflect different points-of-view, on the war in Iraq; students write a response to one of the entries and analyze what they learned about the war from the...
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A Maya Masterpiece
Students analyze the symbols presented in a Maya artifact. They create collages that depict a theme related to contemporary life in their community, and write brief analyses explaining the symbolism of the images they chose.
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Talking About a Resolution
Learners explore Nobel Prize winning economist Thomas C. Schelling's strategic egonomics theory as it applies to making new year's resolutions. They make their own resolutions and develop plans to keep them using Schelling's strategies.
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The Shapes of Our World
Students utilize shapes and spatial relationships in a practical context by creating maps and writing a critical essay.
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Not Just a Corny Idea
Students explore ways in which ethanol can be created using alternate energy sources.
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Iranian Uranium?
Students explore how Iran's uranium enrichment-related activities has caused a rift between Russia, the United States, and Europe. They stage a mock summitt to discuss Iran's nuclear program.
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For the Birds
Students examine the different types of pandemic flu viruses and virus "scares" that have occurred over the past hundred years by creating a master chart that displays the origins, transmission, symptoms, and socio-historical impact of...
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Paper Plays
Students consider alternate uses of everyday items and create costumes and props from these items for skits to entertain Students.
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Executive Exchanges
Students explore the April, 2006, overhaul of the White House staff. They research the positions in transition and stage a press conference to introduce these changes to the public.
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Same News, Different Stories
Students compare the news angle, information sources and construction of different news reports about the death of Al Qaeda's leader in Iraq, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. They analyze how various media outlets report on a different news story.
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Hot Off the Web
Learners read an online article about blogging and its culture especially in the workplace. They create their own blogs based on current events.
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Food Wars
Students investigate the debate whether schools should regulate the amount or type of food and drink students consume. They write and present position papers after reading an online NY Times article.
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A Delicate Balance
Students reflect on racial balance in their own schools, debate merits of policies that seek to create and maintain school racial diversity, and write essays on whether their school should promote racial balance.
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Invisible Enemy
Students investigate parasites and the diseases they can cause and carry. They read and discuss an article, conduct research, and create a fictional studenT story about the parasite they researched.
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Swift Response
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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All Those In Favor
Students share opinions about measures recently passed in their school, vote on and argue for and against hypothetical school policies, and respond to a "president's" decision to pass or veto the measures.