Curated OER
Denial on Trial
What is the "Faurisson Affair”? What is “Holocaust Revisionism”? What does freedom of speech entail? Do revisionists have a right to voice their ideas? Such questions are at the heart of a richly detailed, thought provoking lesson...
Curated OER
P.C. Games
Discuss and share opinions on violent computer games. After reading an article, your class will discover the controversy surrounding online games. They analyze the suitability of computer games and write their own letters to a developer...
PBS
Making Change: Revolutionary Tactics of the Civil Rights Movement
The film American Revolutionary: The Evolution of Grace Lee Boggs introduces viewers to the differing philosophies of and strategies employed by 1960s civil rights leaders such as Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, Jr. and the debate over...
PBS
Master of the Airwaves: How FDR Used Radio to Ease the Public’s Fears
The political and economic climate during the 1930's was uncertain and tumultuous. But Americans' minds and hearts were eased with the reassuring words of their president, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and addresses over the radio. High...
Curated OER
The Lincoln-Douglas Debates of 1858
Eleventh graders examine transcripts of the 1858 Lincoln-Douglas debates and create a platform for each candidate in the 1858 Senate race.
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: Drawing English into the Spotlight
In this current events worksheet, students analyze a political cartoon about the English-language debate and respond to 3 talking point questions.
Curated OER
The Free Trade Conundrum: Balancing Worker Wages and Consumer Prices Comparing the 19th and 21st Centuries
By examining free trade, protectionism, and analyzing 19th and 21st century arguments for and against the tariff, high schoolers will be able to compare and contrast the 19th and 21st century. They will analyze text, answer discussion...
Curated OER
America's Future Culture
Seventh graders research the past and present policies in the United States regarding immigration. As a class, they read "Immigration Timeline" to examine the various groups who came to America for a better life. To end the lesson,...
Curated OER
Donkeys and Elephants and Voters, Oh My!
Students celebrate party politics. In this American politics lesson, students discover what the 2 main political parties in the country are and discuss their functions. Students then participate in a classroom simulation that requires...
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: Bipartisan Reconciliation
In this current events worksheet, students analyze a political cartoon about bipartisan reconciliation in America and respond to 3 talking point questions.
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: Humor Helps Hammer a Point Home
In this current events worksheet, learners analyze a political cartoon about the use of ridicule in cartoons and respond to 3 talking point questions.
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: Attacking All Those Attack Ads
In this symbolism worksheet, learners analyze political cartoons about political campaign attack ads. Students then respond to 5 short answer questions.
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: Taking Aim at the Tucson Shootings
In this current events instructional activity, students analyze a political cartoon about the Tuscon 2011 shootings and respond to 3 talking point questions.
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: Between the Lines, National Debt
In this current events worksheet, students analyze a political cartoon about national debt and respond to 3 talking point questions.
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: Charisma vs. Experience
In this current events worksheet, students analyze a political cartoon about the 2008 Presidential election and respond to 3 talking point questions.
Curated OER
Growing Voters and Election 2004: Get Out the Vote
Students examine the voting process, the reasons citizens should vote, and participate in a community drive to sign up new voters. After looking at websites, students create a poster that outlines the reasons to vote, participate in a...
National First Ladies' Library
How a Bill Becomes a Law
High schoolers engage in the democratic process and to learn how a bill become a law. Then they write a bill they would like as law in their classroom. Students also form committees that will review the list of bills to determine if they...
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: Safety vs. Energy
In this current events worksheet, students analyze a political cartoon about energy sources and respond to 3 talking point questions.
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: Drawing the Line on Financial Reform
In this current events worksheet, students analyze a political cartoon about the financial reform legislation and respond to 3 talking point questions.
Curated OER
The Battle Over Reconstruction: The Politics of Reconstruction
High schoolers participate in a simulation as a Congress member to decide which policies to support in Reconstruction. In this Reconstruction era lesson, students read primary source documents to use as the basis for a mock debate. High...
Curated OER
Debate in the Classroom: The Pebble Mine Pundits
High schoolers research and debate the pros and cons of the Pebble Mine in Alaska from a variety of perspectives. They also write a position paper that either supports or opposed Pebble Mine develpoment.
ProCon
Teacher Tenure
Before the implementation of tenure in 1886, female teachers were sometimes fired for wearing pants or staying out too late at night. Scholars research the debate topic to decide if teachers should get tenure. They review the history of...
C-SPAN
Student Symposium and Resulting Action
Your class may not be able to vote yet, but that doesn't mean they can't feel like they're part of the presidential election! The resource creates a symposium where pupils debate about a selected topic in current events during an...
ProCon
Voting Age
Should age matter when it comes to voting? Scholars read an article discussing the pros and cons of lowering the voting age to 16. They then consider both the advantages and disadvantages of having younger voters. After thinking about...