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War Stories
Students explore their feelings about the United States' invasion of Iraq. Using newspaper headlines and articles as a starting point, students express their emotions through creative writing.
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Critical Path
Young scholars widen their understanding of the different points of view surrounding current news topics. They research a current controversy on which public opinion is divided and write a concise commentary on the topic expressing a...
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Using the Question Matrix
Students analyze and develop questions about a text. In this asking questions lesson, students read an article and analyze the information within the text. Students then form and answer questions about the text.
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Whose Neighborhood is It? Whose America is This?
Students use electronic resources to study immigration issues, analyze immigration issues dealing with security, economics, lawfulness, culture, and human rights, and discuss possible solutions. Students then express their opinions by...
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Perspectives from the Present
Students use the Learning Network's '1999 Year in Review Quiz' to revisit significant news events and examine the impact these news events had. They create their own quizzes based on news topics of their choice.
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The Collection
Learners consider the impact of museum collections. In this global studies lesson, students read an article and contribute to group discussions that analyze what a collection is. The article is not included with the lesson.
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No Publicity, Bad Publicity?
Students examine the factors that can influence a celebrity's media image and marketplace viability. They read an article, answer discussion questions, role-play advisors to a studio head, and write a letter to a studio head.
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Block the Shock Jock or Not?
Learners 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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What America Knew About the Holocaust?
High schoolers examine American involvement in World War II. In this World War II lesson plan, students discuss the Holocaust and its implications. High schoolers read New York Times articles regarding the treatment of Jews during the...
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European Explorer's Photo Journal
Pupils study early European explorers. They choose one to research and complete a photo journal of his explorations, which includes maps, articles, etc.
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A Modern Connection to Genocide
Students investigate the genocide that occurred in Rwanda. They read and discuss an article, watch a Frontline video, complete a worksheet for the video, and write a letter to the Rwandan government or United Nations about the...
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Capturing the Moment
Students 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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Papa Interviews
Working in teams of two, middle schoolers conduct interviews by playing the role of a reporter and Hemingway. They research their parts, write the interviews, and perform them for the rest of the class.
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Girl Scout Cookie Lesson Plan
Learners make a chart of the main categories and supporting details from the article," When chips are down, Girl Scouts order more." They compare their chart with that of a classmate. Students organize their ideas in a logical manner and...
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Let's Be Honest!
Students investigate the concepts of honesty and take a survey about honesty. They use the New York Times to conduct research to identify the characteristics commonly found in stories about cheating. Students write reflective papers...
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Wounded Knee Massacre
Students interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this Westward Expansion lesson, students examine sources regarding the Battle of Wounded Knee from the perspective of Lakota fighters and...
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From Whose Perspective?
Students critically analyze news coverage of Palestinian-Israeli violence by comparing information from a variety of news sources. They compose expository essays reflecting on how to obtain accurate, unbiased, and credible information.
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The Tibet Question
Students examine the history or relations between China and Tibet. In this research skills lesson, students investigate the relationship between Tibet and China as they explore provided Internet links. Students write position...
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Re-Viewpoints From 2002
Students explore how editorials use various devices to convey a message to a reader. They select key news topics from 2002 and write their own editorials.
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Language Arts: The Three Appeals
Students are able to identify and describe the persuasive techniques used in editorial writing. They are able to label persuasive techniques with the logos, pathos, and ethos terminology.
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The World of Constitutions: Better Understanding the U.S. Constitution
Learners examine the purpose of constitutions. In this government systems instructional activity, students analyze the sections of the U.S. Constitution. Learners then compare the U.S. Constitution to the constitutions of other...
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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."
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Let's be Star Summarizers
Third graders summarize a piece of nonfiction text. After reviewing the correct way to read for important information and summarize that information, students independently read a nonfiction article. They write a summary paragraph using...
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One + One = One
Learners develop problem solving skills while developing writing skills. They assume responsibility for a sugar or egg "baby" and journal the experiences. In addition, they create a birth certificate and a holder.