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Colonialism in India / The Sepoy Revolt of 1857
Pupils examine the factors dividing colonial India. They examine the motives of the colonizers. They research colonial India. They participate in a debate on major controversies surrounding the revolt in colonial India.
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Becoming familiar with National Public Radio
Students listen to a National Public Radio program. They summarize the program, and write a script from a controversial newspaper article that could be a part of the NPR program they listened to.
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Just What are you Eating?
Students identify and articulate pros and cons of genetically modified foods (GMF) including references to scale of controversy worldwide. Students then identify where they might find GMFs in their diets, read different opinion pieces on...
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Choosing Sides
Young scholars examine the alliances in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. In this drama lesson, students read the play and act out the conflict and controversy among Brutus, Caesar, Cassius, and Marc Antony.
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Skating on Thin Ice
Students read an article describing a controversial new theory for treating anorexia nervosa, research other eating disorders, simulate case studies and suggest possible treatment for these cases.
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More Harm Than Good?
Students explore the controversial 'harm reduction' approach to drug use and debate the various sides to this approach.
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The Bell Curve
Students explore the concept of the bell curve. In this bell curve instructional activity, students discuss the controversy associated with the bell curve. Students use an applet to explore a normal distribution. Students discuss...
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Magazine Cover Design Contest
Students design a magazine cover. They are told the size of the page 8.5" by 11." Students are told that the magazine does not have to be real, and it can be about any topic that they want. They make the magazine cover look realistic....
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Obama Hope Poster
Students consider constitutional rights. In this Bill of Rights lesson, students complete an activity guide regarding the property rights regarding the Obama "Hope" poster. Students respond to discussion questions pertaining to the topic.
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Immigration to the United States
Students discover the implications of immigration. In this immigration lesson, students read fiction based on immigration experiences as well as non-fiction on the topic. Students write and share book reviews of the literature they read.
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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.
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AIDS and Adolescence
Ninth graders examine the relationship between AIDS and teenagers. In groups, they discuss the various issues educators face in introducing the topic to teenagers in school. As a class, they brainstorm a list of the misconceptions they...
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Being an Insider/Outsider to Judaism
Students explore and analyze the history of Judaism with all its ups and downs throughout history as well as its traditions and cultures that have survived a lifetime of ridicule and controversy. They relate the feeling that the majority...
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G8: A Guide for Schools
Learners take a closer look at the G8 Summit of 2005. In this economics lesson, students listen to a lecture about the summit and explore the meaning of terminology related to the topic.
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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...
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Satire and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Does Mark Twain’s satire become sarcasm and does he cross the line of propriety in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn? As an introduction of satire, class members view an excerpt from The Daily Show and discuss Stewart's use of this...
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The Great Scientific Debate
Fourth graders examine scientific issues that affect the public by debating their classmates. They also write brief essays that show they have learned how to express their reasons for their pros and cons of a particular topic.
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Michigan Supreme Court
Learners read articles on a hot topic (controverial topic) and prepare for a discussion on the article. They engage in forming an opinion on an important public concern and defending their opinion/position with supporting data. They...
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Agriscience
Students research and write a paper on any agriscience related topic. In this series of agriscience instructional activity, students create a presentation to teach their peers about the animal industry. They explain the uses and...
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History repeats: 'Boat people' on the Afghan and the Tampa
Students investigate the Afghan incident of 1888, where a ship, the Afghan, with a load of Chinese passengers from Hong Kong was refused permission to land the passengers on Australian soil. This controversy is compared to the Tampa...
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Latex Helium Balloons: Any Alternatives?
Students discuss the latex balloon release controversy and review suggested alternatives to the latex balloon.
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Hey, You Stole My Rain!
Students review various scenarios in regards to the water cycle to determine what the best solution is to the problem. Students write their opinions on the controversies.
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Liberation of the Garden Gnomes
Students read a lighthearted story about the controversial Garden Gnome Liberation Front. They debate the public's right to own garden gnomes. Personal - to lighten up the classroom a bit with a somewhat
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Fallout
High schoolers view a short film about the results of dropping the atomic bomb at the end of World War II. They research controversies surrounding the use of the bomb and nuclear weapons. They write two editorials about the issue.