Curated OER
Inner Circle/Outer Circle Debate Strategy
Arranged in facing concentric circles, half the class discusses an issue. The other half of the class takes notes which are then used to fuel a class discussion and to prepare editorial opinions on the topic at hand. So much emphasis is...
Center for History Education
Did Southern Free Men of Color Fight for the Ideals of the South?
Much of history is distasteful. Primary sources often reveal attitudes acceptable at the time that no longer are. But to understand controversial historical events, historians must examine primary sources that represent a wide variety of...
Curated OER
Modern Marvels
Students examine the man-made wonders of the world. In this current events instructional activity, students research selected websites to learn more about the most recent wonders of the world competition. Students also research Stonehenge.
Curated OER
What's the Forecast for Africa?
Students explore the possibilities for Africa at the G8 Summit. In this current events instructional activity, students discuss the purpose of the G8 Summit and research the provided web links to learn more about the summit.
Curated OER
A Healthy Old Age?
Young scholars explore the role of the National Health Service (NHS) in Britain. In this current events instructional activity, students visit websites and listen to lectures to learn about Britain's free health care. Young scholars...
Curated OER
Ban on Same-Sex Marriage: Does it Violate 'Due Process' and 'Equal Protection'?
Learners examine due process and equal protection. In this current events lesson, students read the provided article, "Due Process and Equal Protection for Gays and Lesbians." Learners respond to the provided discussion questions and...
C3 Teachers
Celebrity Social Responsibility: Does Celebrity Require Social Responsibility?
Is much required of those to whom much is given? That's the central question asked of middle schoolers in this lesson. Scholars consider the actions of Tommie Smith and John Carlos, Colin Kaepernick, Lady Gaga, and others who have taken...
Curated OER
Harry Potter and the Spellbound Children
Help your class explore the world of Harry Potter. Learners visit selected websites to learn the background about the book series, discover details about the marketing of the books, and investigate book banning.
Student Handouts
A New Presidency
Use this quick informational text to give your class an introduction to President Bill Clinton and Hillary Rodham Clinton, first lady at the time of the events in the text. Individuals or partners can read the brief text and respond to...
Curated OER
Who Are You Calling a Yob?
Students examine anti-social behavior issues. In this current events lesson plan, students discover the attributes of Asbos and discuss the controversial use of Asbos by British police agencies.
Curated OER
A Question of Sport
Students explore the controversy surrounding performance-enhancing drugs. For this current events lesson, students discuss the prevalence of drug use in the sports world and create poetry about sports. Older students may design a...
Curated OER
A Problem with Authority?
Students consider the prospect of inviting a controversial leader to speak in their community. They analyze the Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's controversial invitation to speak at Columbia University. Students create...
Curated OER
Teaching the Novel in Context
Students write a context paper. In this teaching the novel in context lesson, students view a primary sources to recreate the cultural and historical context of the novel. Students make the connection between the literary text and...
Curated OER
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
A viewing of Disney’s 1993 film of The Adventures of Huck Finn launches an examination of the events in and themes of Mark Twain’s story. Viewers respond to prompts on a film story worksheet, engage in full-class discussions, and select...
Curated OER
My View's Write!
After researching issues involving panthers, middle schoolers practice writing persuasive letters. They become familiar with a controversial issue related to panthers and write their position on the issue. This lesson would be a good...
PBS
Journalism in War Time: What Does the Public Need to Know?
A viewing of the documentary War Feels Like War, launches an exploration of the importance of accurate and comprehensive war reporting. Groups investigate various news agencies and assess the factors that influence their stories. A...
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: Drawing the Line on Lies
In this current events worksheet, students analyze a political cartoon about the health care controversy and respond to 3 talking point questions.
Curated OER
Au Revoir to All That
Students take a close look at the president of France, In this French history lesson, students visit selected websites to take in French culture, investigate the 2005 riots, and predict what President Sarkozy's leadership may resemble.
Curated OER
Role Play Debate
Suggested topics for a role play debate include school uniforms and culpability for drunk driving, but any issue of interest to your class will work. What are the hot issues in your community or on the news right now? Class members...
Curated OER
Genetics
Comprehend that many human characteristics-all physical traits and possibly many personality traits-are determined by our genetic makeup. These activities demonstate that all physical traits are genetically determined, some evidence...
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Conducting a Panel Discussion and Civil Conversation
The final lesson in an 11-session study of immigration asks class members to engage in either a panel discussion or a civil conversation of the controversial legal and policy issues they have investigated as part of the unit.
Curated OER
Collage and Photomontage
Tenth graders discuss collage and photomontage techniques and artists, and how the art form can convey cultural or current issues. They research a collage artist, then design a topical or personally symbolic collage. Present their...
Curated OER
An Early Threat of Secession: The Missouri Compromise of 1820 and the Nullification Crisis
High schoolers examine the controversies over slavery's expansion and how the federal tariffs further entrenched the dividing line between northern and southern interests.
Curated OER
Historical Agency in History Book Sets (HBS)
Study historical events by combining the study of historical fiction and non-fiction. Learners read about true past events in historical fiction novels and then research non-fiction accounts of the same events. What are some differences...