Curated OER
EU and Turkey
Should Turkey be admitted to the European Union? Before debating this question, class members research the background and stated purpose of the EU, read articles of Turkey's bid to become a member of the EU, and the concerns other...
US Institute of Peace
Simulation on The Case of “Palmyra”
War-torn Palmyra needs your help! Young negotiators play the part of citizens of opposing countries through an eye-opening simulation. The fictional countries of Siwa and Nizwa stand at the brink of war, and your class' job is to create...
Illustrative Mathematics
How Many Cells Are in the Human Body?
Investigating the large numbers of science is the task in a simple but deep activity. Given a one-sentence problem set-up and some basic assumptions, the class sets off on an open-ended investigation that really gives some context to all...
Curated OER
Utah's Own
Fourth graders examine the effects of humans on the environment. In this Social Studies lesson, 4th graders analyze human changes to the environment. Students explore the actions and effects at a community level.
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The First Amendment
Students examine the freedoms and rights guaranteed by the First Amendment. In this Bill of Rights activity, students review court cases and create a collage that require them to consider the right they are guaranteed by the First...
Curated OER
Philanthropy, Volunteering And Service: the Historical Connections Lesson 2: Hunger Hurts
Students investigate the effects of hunger on a personal and community level. They examine how philanthropy can help alleviate hunger issues in the world and in their own community. They look at the available services using Internet...
Curated OER
Understanding and Appreciating Poetry: Afro-Americans and Their Poetry
Sixth graders are introduced to poems written by African-American authors. As a class, they read excerpts of poems from different time periods and discuss how and if anything has changed over time with discrimination and equal rights...
Curated OER
Human Trafficking & Modern Day Slavery - Debating the Fundamentals
Students research the trafficking and slavery issues in a country of their choice. In groups, they prepare arguments which support their point of view. They reverse their positions to make the debate more interesting.
Curated OER
What does it mean to be a citizen?
Students examine democracy and the role of a citizen. They contrast rights and responsibilities of individuals, groups, and organizations. Students identify two forms of democratic action and describe demoncratic values. Students observe...
Curated OER
Commercial Surrogacy: Questions & Considerations of Parties with Vested Interests
Teenagers explore the topic of surrogate motherhood. They examine the technology involved, types of surrogacy, interested groups, and current laws. Each collaborative group is assigned an interest group. They work together to develop...
Curated OER
Constitutional Issues: Civil Liberties During War
Students discuss democratic ideals and constitutional principles. They decide which side of the issue they are on dealing with the placement of Japanese-Americans in camps during World War II. They examine primary source documents for...
Curated OER
Who Owns Rights to Pharmacogenetic Information?
Young scholars develop an understanding of the rationale of ownership over scientific information. They research commercial applications of DNA sequences. They analyze how to evaluate medical ethics issues.
Curated OER
What's Right and Wrong? Moral Messages in Art
Students explore the Steen and Mount paintings and their presentation of moral issues. They discuss ethical debates in society today and write a short position paper on an issue raised by the paintings or in the discussion. They make a...
Curated OER
Understanding the Nature of Work
Students analyze case studies of child labor situations and differentiate between developmental labor which can benefit children and exploitative labor which can harm children. Then they look closer at forms of exploitative labor to...
Curated OER
Experiencing Tiananmen Square
Students investigate the Tiananmen Square demonstration and massacre in China. They watch a video clip, in small groups conduct Internet research, present their findings to the class, simulate a demonstration, and create an art project.
Curated OER
Focused Learning Lesson
Tenth graders analyze an issue discussing the rights of citizens. They debate after they have formed an opinion and argue the points and evaluate who had the stronger argument.
Curated OER
Debt Slavery and Children in Pakistan, A Case Study
Students describe extent of Pakistan child slavery problem as international community sees it, and determine whether national sovereignty is valid answer to not allowing international agencies to monitor or remedy the problems. Students...
Curated OER
Getting To Know the Activists Among Us
Students discuss what it means to be an "activist." They identify various types of activist organizations and brainstorm the names of local people and organizations that might fit these categories. They research one of these...
Curated OER
Defining Moments From the Past: Japanese American Internment
High schoolers conduct a mock Congressional Hearing to decide whether or not Japanese Americans who were sent to internment camps during World War II should be provided financial restitution. They research and create a time line of...
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Bioethics and Humans
Students evaluate "humanity" and conditions associated with it. In this activity lesson students take on issues and construct their own limitations by defining the "human" condition.
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Case Study: Should the Results of the Human Genome Project be Sold for Profit?
Students investigate a case study and discuss whether scientists working on the Human Genome Project should be allowed to patent their work. They consider ethical and legal issues, and determine who owns genetic information.
Curated OER
Israel/Palestine and Saudi Arabia
Seventh graders examine governmental structures in place around the world. In this political systems lesson, 7th graders discuss components of a modern economy, and read two articles. Students answer questions after reading articles and...
Curated OER
Which Freedom?
Fourth graders choose on the freedoms in the Bill of Rights and research it on the internet. They answer specific questions using their research and produce a written document using a computer.
Curated OER
Fox hunting debate
Students read the internet article "Hundreds of Hunts Out Despite Ban". The teacher then holds a class discussion about it. Students then hold a formal debate representing all points of view on the issues. Students then write a...