American Documentary
The Benefits and Drawbacks of Plea Bargains
The outcome of 90 percent of criminal cases in the US is determined by plea bargains. Clips from the documentary Better This World create the backdrop for an investigation of the benefits and drawbacks of the plea bargaining process....
Curated OER
Making a Case
Start the day by sharing opinions about human rights. Then, read "A Defiant Hussein Pleads Not Guilty to Mass Execution" with your middle and high school class. Your pupils research the specific charges in the case against Saddam...
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Country's Music
Jazz, Blue Grass, Hip Hop, Swing. Gospel, R&B, Ragtime, Disco. So many music genres born in the USA. After reading an article about the fate of New Orlean's Jazz after Hurricane Katrina, class members investigate the life cycles of...
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...
Media Education Lab
Sponsored Content as Propaganda
What is sponsored content? Who produces sponsored content? Why? Is it fair or unfair? What are the privacy implications for consumers? To answer these questions, class members view a model screencast before crafting their own that...
The New York Times
401 Prompts for Argumentative Writing
Sometimes the hardest thing about an argument essay writing assignment is coming up with a question. A four-page list of prompts includes a range of topics, from social media and smart phones to video games and sports. The list is a...
Curated OER
Primary and Secondary Sources - 7th
A link to a beautiful Animoto presentation is included, giving examples of primary sources that a student might want to contact when doing research. Using the Topaz Internment Camp in Utah as a sample topic, middle schoolers view a slide...
Curated OER
Retelling the African Folktale Abiyoyo
Act out the African folktale Abiyoyo. Kindergartners listen to the tale and discuss the characters, dressing as their favorite characters in order to retell and perform Abiyoyo using props. They will gain an understanding of story...
Curated OER
Virtual Connections
Students use prior knowledge to develop a survey on their peers' habits and preferences regarding video games and online gaming. They examine the social aspect of online gaming by discussing "Where Warriors and Ogres Lock Arms Instead of...
Curated OER
The Keys To Higher Learning
Students discuss the validity of using the internet for learning. They compare and contrast the various strategies for learning when done online and in class. Students prepare a lesson plan for an online class and write a paper...
Curated OER
Financial Security
Pupils take an economic angle on social security, working in small groups to create a reader's guide to the program and the current debate.
Curated OER
No Place For Bullies
Students investigate the problem of bullying and focus upon the incidents that occur in schools. They conduct research and write a definition of bullying. They examine the consequences of cyberbullying while reading and discussing an...
Curated OER
The Aesthetics of Activism
Students explore ways in which artistic expression has been used to promote awareness of AIDS. They create their own designs to promote awareness of a social, political, or economic issue of importance to their age group and community.
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Over the Borderline?
Young scholars study President Bush's proposal for immigration policy in the US and examine various perspectives on immigration that are currently being debated. They read and discuss an online New York Times article.
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Outbreak!
Students investigate their knowledge about HIV/AIDS and read an online article about treatments that have been prolonging lives of sufferers. They create media campaigns to promote HIV/AIDS awareness.
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News From Home
Students investigate the feelings of Iranian immigrants in California by reading an online article. They write an article on immigrants' thoughts on current events in their home countries.
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Power Failure
Students examine how electricity impacts world cultures. They e-mail contacts around the world to research the impact of electricity, and create an online newspaper to publish their findings.
Curated OER
A Digital Family Tree Trip Through Time
Students research their family history by creating a family tree and using online tools. For this family tree lesson, students use bubbl.us to research their biographical information and web the data. Students create timelines for their...
Curated OER
America: 1763-1776
For this online interactive history worksheet, students respond to 10 short answer and essay questions about the United States between the years 1763 and 1776.
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American History Through Architectural Masterpieces: Monticello
Students examine the life of Thomas Jefferson, explore great American landmark Monticello, discover relationships between climate, geographical factors, and time as to what kind of architecture was used, conduct research online, write a...
Curated OER
Account-Recording Adjusting/Close Entries, Partnership
Students examine adjusting and closing entries for a partnership set up as a merchandising business. They participate in a game and online activities, read handouts, complete an outline, and take a quiz.
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Ute Indians: Past and Present
Fourth graders study the history of the Ute Indians. In this Ute Indians lesson, 4th graders complete a KWL chart about Ute Indians and read the online Ute Indian Fact Sheet. Students study examples of Ute culture, where the Ute Indians...
Curated OER
For Whom the Clock Strikes
How do the citizens of Polyglot celebrate New Year's Eve? Middle and high schoolers read about the history of the dropping ball on New Year's Eve, as well as the other holidays traditions that have gone by the wayside, before designing a...
Curated OER
Christmas Spirit?
Pupils examine how they greet the holiday season and participate in a class discussion to explore the ongoing debate on how best to celebrate the holidays. They read and discuss an article, and write a personal essay.