Curated OER
Evaluating the Strength of Scientific Evidence: The Rediscovery of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker
A happy discovery occurred in Arkansas in 2004: a woodpecker, believed to be extinct since the 1940s, reappeared! Or did it? Middle to high school ecologists examine scientific evidence and use critical-thinking skills to determine...
Curated OER
Nuclear Weapons: What Should Our Policy Be?
Students investigate nuclear weapons policies. In this global issues lesson, students research policies that the United States could institute to control nuclear weapon production. Students participate in a simulation to determine the...
Middle Tennessee State University
John Brown: Hero or Villain?
"Love it or leave it." "You're either for us or against us." Rhetoric and it's polarizing effects are the focus of a lesson that uses John Brown's attack on Harper's Ferry as an exemplar. Groups examine primary source documents,...
Curated OER
How Would You Feel?
Sixth graders put themselves in the shoes of aborigines who were displaced from their homes in the 1800s by Europeans who came in and took their land from them. They discuss the social injustices suffered by these people, and write a...
Curated OER
Bill of Rights
US history classes explore constitutional rights as they relate to court cases involving teens. Your class must already be familiar with the Bill of Rights before beginning this series of exercises. In preparation for a debate-style...
National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science
Bad Blood
When it comes to science and medicine, ethics should always be a primary consideration; unfortunately, that has not always been the case. There are countless examples throughout history of questionable medical practices, marginalized...
Curated OER
Constitutional Convention Simulation
Why did the Founders make it so challenging to amend the US Constitution? To gain an understanding of why the process is so difficult, class members engage in a Constitutional Convention simulation. Groups draft, propose, and debate...
Constitutional Rights Foundation
History of Immigration From the 1850s to the Present
The Statue of Liberty may embrace the huddled masses of the world, but has American society always joined in? After young historians read a passage about the history of American immigration in the 19th and 20th centuries, focusing on...
State Bar of Texas
Baker v. Carr
Can the federal government override the state government to protect the citizens of the United States? The 1962 Supreme Court case Baker v. Carr outlines the issue of equal protection under the law. Scholars investigate with a short...
The New York Times
Where to Draw the Line: Balancing Government Surveillance with the Fourth Amendment
The question of how to balance Fourth Amendment Rights with national security concerns becomes critical in an age of planned terrorist attacks, election interference, and fake news. Get young social scientists involved in the debate with...
Curated OER
The Great Debate
Students research and debate the British Museum's ownership of the friezes from the Parthenon and Acropolis. Art controversy is discussed in this one-day lesson involving three groups of students within the class.
Curated OER
How Science Works: Fossil Record - Televised Debate
Students compare the three theories used tp interpret fossil records. In this earth science lesson, students create a production of a televised debate. They collaborate with group members to generate relevant questions about the topic.
Curated OER
Individual Rights And Responsibilities
Students investigate a trial in the netherlands in order to comprehend the concept of human rights and how they need protection. They conduct the research done by reading in small groups and have a mock trial using the details of the...
Curated OER
Labour Market Flexibility
Students discuss the concept of a flexible labor market. They research the desirablity of this type of market and present their findings to the class. They participate in a debate as well.
Curated OER
Cycling Through Controversy
Students research different perspectives and debate environmental issues. They consider different viewpoints when proposing solutions.
Curated OER
Friday Forum (Day 5)
Students evaluate their performance in different debates about the laws of Michigan. They write a letter to an editor of a newspaper sharing their opinions. They write journal entries as well.
Curated OER
Class Forums: An English Language Arts Lesson for Information Resources
Tenth graders listen to a controversial piece of writing. They with opposing viewpoints face one another. After ground rules are suggested and adopted by the group, 10th graders articulate their positions in successive turns.
Curated OER
Nazis Flying Saucers – Film Sparks UFO Debate
Students explore the aircraft used in World War II. In this World History lesson, students read an article that describes a "flying saucer" created by the Nazi's. Upon completion of the reading, students answer questions on the article,...
Curated OER
Verbal Boxing
Learners debate issues. In this debate instructional activity, students are presented topics to debate. Working in small groups, learners compete in one minute boxing rounds. Resources are included.
Curated OER
What Difference Does A Name Make?
Learners view the film The Persuaders that discuss the perspective and spin of language use for a variety of issues. They discuss the career of Frank Luntz, a man that runs focus groups to determine how to advantageously phrase issues in...
Curated OER
Teamwork at School
For this social studies worksheet, students learn that teamwork is a vital part of life at school. Students read the information and advice on this poster. Students list examples of teams or groups they have enjoyed and write how working...
Curated OER
Investigating Our Past: Where Did Humans Come From?
Students brainstorm about evolution and explore the processes of evolution. In this investigative lesson students map out evolution and compare the two theories after researching them.
Curated OER
American Colonization Society
Students read and discuss a narrative on why African Americans supported emigration to the United States. In groups, they research the motivations of the ACS and hold a debate on whether the ACS promoted segregation or if they worked to...
Curated OER
The Great Migration: Comparing and Contrasting Northern Life to Southern Life
Students research the Great Migration of African-Americans to the North and form an opinion as to whether this migration was beneficial to its participants. They, in groups, research various experiences and debate the topic.