Curated OER
Coastal Threat: A Story in Unit Conversions
Students convert measurements from one unit to another. In this math instructional activity, students study the environmental consequences of oil spills. They replicate an oil spill event by modeling and scaling.
Curated OER
Forest Management
Young scholars analyze physical and biological changes in the Sequoia forest ecosystem, especially logging and fire management practices. They evaluate the controversy of how logging and fire management should be conducted in the Giant...
Curated OER
Cycling Through Controversy
Pupils research different perspectives and debate environmental issues. They consider different viewpoints when proposing solutions.
Curated OER
Scientific Problem Solving
In this problem solving worksheet, students will conduct an experiment to answer this question: "How does watching too much television affect us?" Students will form a hypothesis, collect data, analyze their data, and draw a conclusion....
Museum of Tolerance
Documents That Shape Society
The Bill of Rights is a foundational document of American democracy, much like the Nuremberg Laws were a foundational document of the Reichstag of Nazi Germany. But that's where their similarities end. Engage high schoolers in a...
ProCon
Obesity
Is obesity a disease or just a preventable risk factor for other diseases? Scholars attempt to form their own opinions by reading a background of the issue and watching videos that explore the main pro and con arguments using an included...
ProCon
Standardized Tests
Does the use of standardized testing improve American education? Scholars dive into the issue as they prepare to discuss the debate topic with their classmates. After reviewing the pros and cons, they watch videos to help them arrive at...
Curated OER
Malaria Introduction
Learners analyze three different strategies for controlling the spread of malaria. They examine the disease and how people catch it. Learners explore the life cycle of the malaria parasite.
Curated OER
Intelligent Design
students research the "intelligent design" decision the Ohio State Board of Education reached in October 2002, following a lengthy debate. After analyzing what each side proposed, part of the class is assigned the roles of members of the...
Curated OER
The Illusion of Race
This is mostly an exploration of race through an interactive website, class readings, and discussion. Individuals take an online quiz about race, they answer questions on a worksheet by visiting another website, and discover that race is...
Curated OER
Genetic Engineering: Friend or Foe?
Students brainstorm and discuss ways genes can be altered, transferred and cloned. They will complete a subject sampler, opinion paper and prepare to debate their opinion on genetic engineering.
Curated OER
The Ozone
Young scholars engage in lesson concerned with the concept of the ozone layer. They write a reflective journal using prior knowledge. Students read sources of information about the existence of a hole in the ozone layer. Finally they...
Curated OER
Kill the Indian, Save the Man!
Students investigate primary sources from Carlisle Indian School including letters and photographs. In this investigative lesson students answer questions about their research.
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Special Order 40
The city of Los Angeles' 1979 Special Order 40 states: "LAPD officers shall not initiate police action with the objective of discovering the alien status of a person." After reading a fact sheet that details the history of Special Order...
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Issues of Asylum in the U.S.
Who gets to come to the United States? Examine cases of individuals seeking asylum with an informative reading passage that includes examples, statistics, and representations of public opinion regarding asylum. Groups then go on to...
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Educating European Immigrant Children Before World War I
As if surviving a journey to America wasn't enough of a feat for early 20th century immigrants, they then needed to settle into American life. Learn about the ways New York public education attempted to meet the needs of its students,...
Curated OER
Latex Helium Balloons: Any Alternatives?
Students discuss the latex balloon release controversy and review suggested alternatives to the latex balloon.
Curated OER
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.
Curated OER
Understanding Tyrannosaurus Rex
Students explore the history of the Tyrannosaurus Rex according to the Bible. Students research the size of the Tyrannosaurus Rex. They discuss the T. Rex skeleton "Sue" and the controversy that surrounded it.
Curated OER
Exploring Evolution Lesson Plans
There are evolution lesson plans that can help teachers get past the controversy to increase student understanding of natural selection.
Curated OER
Case Studies in Journalistic Ethics - Number 3
Learners investigate ethical decision making when using photos in journalism. In this ethics in journalism lesson plan, students read about the ethical use of images in media, discuss recent controversial photos, and look at online case...
Curated OER
Twin Traits
Eighth graders explore the Nature vs. Nurture controversy and discover how variations in species is due to the interaction of genetic material. Students engage in a twin study experiment in this unit.
Curated OER
Designing the Wilderness - The Hetch-Hetchy Reservoir
Students study the controversy over building the Hetch Hetchy Dam and determine their points of view regarding the use of public lands.
Curated OER
Designer Agriculture
Students investigate the controversial issue of genetic engineering. They research the pros and cons of such technology and apply it to creating new plants or crops for the area of Alaska. Students think of new types of animals and draw...