School Improvement in Maryland
Affirmative Action
Do the government's affirmative action policies promote equity in the United States? The Fourteenth Amendment to the US Constitution and affirmative action policies come under scrutiny in an activity that asks class members to...
Kenan Fellows
The Little Stuff Can Make a Big Difference
Great things come in small packages! What better way to illustrate this point than a week-long look at nanotechnology? Earth science scholars explore water quality issues through lab activities, then research new innovations in nanotech...
Curated OER
Information Overload: Looking at News
How do events reported in mainstream newspapers, on television news, blog posts, and social network sites differ? Ask your class to investigate the way the same news item is presented in the many information sources available. Groups...
University of the Desert
Fact and Opinion within the Media
How can the media foster cultural misunderstandings? These activities encourage learners to distinguish between fact and opinion in the media
Curated OER
Whose History Is It Anyway? Patterns in History
Read and examine primary source material in order to analyze, synthesize, and debate information about the Great Depression. Critical analysts research various source materials related to the Great Depression. They work in teams to...
American Documentary
Comparative Religion Investigation: What Happens When We Die?
How do different religions offer explanations for what happens when we die? Invite your learners to consider the variance and complexity of religious beliefs, and to research and compare/contrast the concept of death and afterlife...
Curated OER
The Problem with Profiling
Students explore the issue of racial profiling and post their conclusions to a youth message board. They research the issue of racial profiling and post their thoughts to a message board.
Curated OER
Autism is a World
Explore Autism by watching the CNN presentation: Autism is a World. Upper graders view and discuss the documentary identify the symptoms and characteristics of autism, research treatment options, and create an informational brochure.
Curated OER
Kids These Days!
Learners create a scrapbook of college student life during the 1960's using digital archives and Internet research. They read and discuss the article "What's the Matter With College?" and then compare college experience of today with...
Curated OER
Astronauts Build Space Station Addition
Learners read a story called Astronauts Finish Building Space Station Addition and answer vocabulary and comprehension questions about it. In this space station lesson plan, students respond to literature by answering questions,...
Curated OER
Project-Based Learning: Community Service
Community service is the basis for a project based learning experience. Your class participates in four weekly activities that require them to research community issues and contribute their time and talent to assist those in need. This...
Curated OER
Easy Access: Creating Annotated Versions of News Articles
How can news coverage be made more accessible for teens? Model for your class how to use technology to annotate news stories containing unfamiliar references that hinder their interest in and understanding of a news story. Use the...
Wish for the Future
Wish for the Future
What would be your class's ideal world 30 years in the future? What about 100 years? Use a series of activities to discuss globalization, sustainability, scientific contributions to society, and the global community of which your...
Curated OER
Bring on the World: Football Around the World
Students explore the existence of football in the world. In this current events instructional activity, students examine how football is played using an interactive whiteboard. Students compare its existence in the United Kingdom and...
PBS
Financial Crisis Glossary
Secondary learners explore the background and vocabulary surrounding US and global economic crises. Originally, the lesson was written to address the 2008 economy, but the material and information is easily adaptable to today's economy....
Curated OER
Fighting Hunger
Students participate in a service-learning project to help combat hunger in their community. In this current events lesson, students discuss possible causes for hunger in the United States. Students read a short story, conduct online...
Curated OER
Citizenship in Action
Students discover citizenship at work. In this current events instructional activity, students visit selected websites to discover information about animal testing and discuss how to solve some of the issues associated with animal...
Curated OER
High-fliers
Learners take a closer look at Heathrow airport. In this current events instructional activity, students visit selected websites to learn about the history of Heathrow Airport and the current opening of terminal 5.
Curated OER
Why do so Many Young People Carry Knives?
Students explore the rise in knife crimes in Great Britain. In this current events lesson plan, students research the noted websites to study knife laws, British trends, and knife history.
Curated OER
Lesson for the EasyJet Set
Students take a closer look at the environmental costs of flying. In this current events lesson, students research the noted Web sites regarding the Airbus, noise pollution, and oil use associated with airline travel. Students brainstorm...
Curated OER
Virtual Reality
Students consider the implications of playing violent video games. In this current issues activity, students visit selected websites to research virtual violence and video game censorship.
Curated OER
The Ultimate Athletic Background
Eighth graders analyze the criteria used to identify "Soul of a Champion" athletes. In this Current Events lesson, 8th graders write, edit and organize a script for a “live” documentary on the athlete. Students rehearse and perform...
Curated OER
Documenting a Student Exchange program
Seventh graders examine student exchange programs. For this Current Events lesson, 7th graders produce a website for viewers. Students research the life of foreign exchange students.
Curated OER
Breath of Fresh Air
Students consider the historical and social aspects of smoking. In this current events lesson, students research passive smoking, smoking legislation, and smoking history in the United Kingdom as they visit the listed websites.