New York State Education Department
US History and Government Examination: June 2010
Just how successful were the reform movements of the ninteenth and twentieth centuries? Using documents ranging from the writings of Mother Jones to the marriage vows of Lucy Stone, individuals consider the question in a scaffolded...
EngageNY
Grade 11 ELA Module 1: Unit 2, Lesson 11
What is Hamlet's attitude towards life and death in Shakespeare's Hamlet? Scholars continue reading the play to answer the question, paying particular attention to Hamlet's most famous soliloquy. By holding a discussion and completing...
University of the Desert
What Is Extremism?
By participating in discussions using prompts and statements provided in the lesson plan, learners identify the concept of extremism and consider what causes violent acts of extremism in the modern world.
Curated OER
Irony
Using examples from Socrates to Johnny Carson, this slideshow presents your students with the history and definition of dramatic irony, satire, situational irony, and tragic irony. This presentation would be useful in a language arts...
Curated OER
Feeding the World
Students participate in a Socratic discussion about world hunger. In this world hunger lesson, students review the Socratic discussion method and use it to discuss an initiative to reduce world hunger. Students answer discussion...
Curated OER
In Congress Assembled: Continuity and Change in the Governing of the United States
Students interpret history using primary resources and secondary research. The Constitution is examined and changes are explained within the time period they were made.
Curated OER
I Am More Than You See
Young scholars discuss the effects of gender bias and stereotyping by identifying personal interests and values. In this sociology lesson plan, students iscuss the forces in society which cause gender discrimination, create poems about...
Curated OER
George Washington's Foreign Policy
Learners compare George Washington's foreign policy to the policies of presidents who followed him. In this primary source analysis lesson, students compare Washington's Farewell Address to the Roosevelt Corollary, the Monroe Doctrine,...
Curated OER
Japanese Internment During World War II
High schoolers identify, describe and discuss the reasons why Japanese-Americans were placed in internment camps and what life was like at these camps. Then they write an unsent letter to a family member on the East Coast describing...
Curated OER
Sustainability Project
Students explore alternative energy sources. In this environmental lesson, students discuss alternative energy sources and construct a plan to incorporate an alternative home technology into a bedroom. Students build a model of their...
Curated OER
Why is It That Johnny Can't Read?
Students listen to and discuss Don Henley's song, "Johnny Can't Read" and the 10,000 Maniacs song, "Cherry Tree." They research reading literacy and find statistics, evidence, stories, facts, and sources which will support their beliefs...
Curated OER
Patriotism Reflected in Art and Literature (Part B)
Tenth graders compare and contrast the patriotism of Imperial Japan to its presence in the United States today. In this patriotism lesson, 10th graders write essays and participate in a classroom debate that requires them to consider the...
Curated OER
I Am More Than You See
Students examine their personal interests in culture/ethnicity and what they value in terms of physical vs. Personal characteristics. They discuss the forces in society that cause gender discrimination.
Curated OER
Choices
Students read "The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost. They complete a chart about their own choices and decide on them using the chart. They discover the importance of making good choices.
Orange County Department of Education
Integrity and "Thank You, M'am"
Ninth graders explore the definition of integrity through a class discussion. They provide positive/negative examples from the story and their own experiences. Students determine character traits by analyzing the dialogue in a short...
Curated OER
Upon the Burning of Our House
Tenth graders read the poem "Upon the Burning of Our House" and complete analysis activities. In this poetry analysis lesson, 10th graders read the poem and create original scenes summarizing the stanza.
Curated OER
African Americans During the Civil War
Ninth graders work together to discuss the various experiences of African Americans during the Civil War. Using the internet, they identify the laws and reasons African Americans were allowed to join the Union Army. Using their...
Curated OER
Reading About Estuaries
High schoolers practice their reading skills by reading information about estuaries. As a class, they discuss what they read and answer discussion questions. As they read, they use the right hand column of their paper to write down any...
Curated OER
The European Union
Young scholars analyze the history of the European Union. They define the goals and operations of the EU. Students summarize their findings and present these findings to the class. They write a summary of the history of the EU.
Curated OER
The Movement of Ideas
Twelfth graders read and analyze the literary elements of Alphonse Daudet's "The Last Lesson" and Abraham Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address. They compare the two works and write an essay describing the reasons they feel the authors...
Curated OER
Evaluating the "Save the Indian" Reforms
Students explore the policies of the "Save the Indian" reforms. Working in groups, they review the motives, methods, and effects of the "Save the Indian" campaign of the late 19th century. Through discussion and writing, they form an...
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Dead Poets Society: Socratic Seminar Discussion
As a springboard to an eleventh grade poetry unit, young scholars view the movie Dead Poets Society and participate in a Socratic seminar of the themes, symbols, and life questions raised by the film. Student groups research and present...
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Let's Talk Socratically
For this lesson you will be using the Socratic Seminar Instructional Method. The Socratic Seminar is a great way to get students involved. Socratic seminars are useful in that they teach students to make a point through using the text...
Louisiana Department of Education
Louisiana Doe: Louisiana Believes: Ela Guidebooks: Student Led Discussions (Socratic Seminar, Fishbowl)
This strategy helps students refine their understanding of complex texts to meet reading expectations, engage in a variety of group conversations, and prepare for writing about texts.