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Reality Film
Learners propose and create documentary films depicting a slice of "ordinary" life that reveals something unique or surprising about its subject. They, in groups, make films and present them to the school.
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Giving Without Borders
Students assess the mission, accomplishments and global impact of Doctors Without Borders, the medical relief organization awarded the 1999 Nobel Peace Prize. They analyze stories of recent work done in different countries around the world.
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Stellar Resorts
Students explore the future of "orbital vacations" and create fanciful tours of the Milky Way Galaxy. Students respond to the following prompt in their journals "Entrepreneurs are currently designing concepts for accommodating tourists...
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Enough About I — Let’s Talk About Me
Students review parts of speech and share informative usage presentations to their classmates. In this grammar lesson, students discuss the importance of using appropriate speech and then read "The I's Have It." Students create their own...
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Guild v. Google
Learners share opinions about what constitutes fair use of copyright materials and participate in a mock trial arguing the case of The Authors Guild v. Google.
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"Sounds Like Team Spirit"
Some sports teams consider their fans the "12th man" on the field. What does that mean? Are fans that important to their teams? Does fan support really help teams win? How can you let your team know you are rooting for them? Apparently,...
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"Hooping It Up"
Hoops, basketball or Hula? Hula hoop workouts, will this be the next big thing or just a fad? Read all about it and decide for yourself.
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Block the Shock Jock or Not?
Pupils examine their own experiences with racist and sexist speech by deciding whether or not they agree or disagree with statements related to this subject. They explore the limits of public speech by reading about the controversy...
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"Julie of the Wolves"
Fifth graders research life in Alaska and compare life there to their lives in this instructional activity. They read "Julie of the Wolves." They research through the novel and other reference books facts about the Alaskan climate and...
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Strong Feelings
Students explore how emotions affect the decision-making of peacekeepers and design simulators for training emergency-response personnel.
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Spin Cycle
Students explore the concept of "spin" and discuss how politicians use spin to sway public opinion. A leading American politician is selected and talking points that exemplify the main idea of this lesson are shared with the class.
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Thinking Out Loud
Learners share opinions about whether a series of statements from the internet constitute facts or opinions. They read and analyze blogs published in on the web in order to understand the use of fact, opinion, and tone of voice when...
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Russian Roulette
Students analyze causes and effects of historic examples in which two groups of people in the same country were fighting for leadership of that country. They obtain and discuss basic background information on the current conflict on...
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Poll-icy Perceptions
Students create their own opinion polls about local policy issues. They evaluate how anonymity may affect responses. In groups, students experience the process of developing polls, focusing on student-related topics. Students must...
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Signs of Withdrawal?
Students research Lebanon's recent history, from the 1975 civil war to the protest of occupying Syrian troops in 2005, and create a visual timeline for classroom display.
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Capturing the Moment
Learners create photography timelines of the Civil Rights movement and write journal entries reflecting on the capacity of photographs to evoke personal and collective historical memory.
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Minding Your Body
Students explore the benefits of yoga and meditation by studying baseball players who incorporate them into their pre-season training. They investigate a variety of mind-body techniques and create a presentation for the class.
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Looking Back, Up and Ahead
Students explore how scientists have forecasted the 2002 Leonid meteor shower. They pose their own predictions for peak meteor rates per hour during the 2002 shower and compare their results with actual observed rates.
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Profitable Practices
Students explore the different methods that nonprofit groups use to create revenue and determine whether or not these practices follow the mission of these organizations.
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Virtually Toasting 2000
Students use the Internet to explore millennium celebrations around the world and how these celebrations reflect the cities' cultures, histories and expectations for the future.
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Tempest-Tossed
Students examine aid to India in the wake of the October 29, 1999 cyclone.
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Primary Concerns
Students articulate their understanding of the primary process, critically evaluate the primary process on a systemic level and explore the significance of the Super Tuesday primaries on a Presidential election.
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Private Matters
Students examine the intersection between an individual's right to privacy versus the public's right to know, through the lens of the relationship between public figure Gary Condit and missing intern Chandra Levy.
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Reporting in Letters
Students investigate the cultures and politics of different countries and write radio letters to listeners in those countries modeled after Alistair Cooke's "Letter from America."