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Inquiring Minds
Students participate in a "fishbowl" discussion to address the notions of government and intelligence accountability for the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States. They write letters to the President of the United...
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What's The World Made Of?
Second graders identify the three states of matter by examining fishbowls with various contents. They discuss their observations and the characteristics of matter in each state. Pupils read the story The Rainbow Fish and look for...
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I Won't Live in a Toxic World
Students examine four separate environmental health issues using fish-bowl technique, and discuss roles of both government and citizens in maintaining a pollution-free environment.
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Lawyers, Guns and Meaning
Students examine why they either do or do not have guns in their own household and how guns affect their sense of safety. They explore the controversy surrounding how best to interpret the Second Amendment by reading and discussing the...
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Fantastic Fossil
Students discuss the discovery of a transitional animal, Tiktaalik, and its impact on the theory of evolution. They research theories of evolution and creationism.
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By Any Other Name
Students examine the differences between the definitions of race and ethnicity defined by the United States government. After reading an article, they discuss the possiblity of the elimination of some races from the 2010 census. They...
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The Secret is Out
Students explore ideas about journalism ethics as they relate to Watergate and discuss various issues related to an anonymous source being revealed. They write letters to the public editor of The NY Times about credibility and anonymous...
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Changing Times, Changing Strategies
Students explore the C.D.C.'s efforts to become better equipped to battle bioterrorism; they then discuss surveillance, epidemiological, and communications issues related to their program.
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Should They Stay or Should They Go?
Learners share opinions about labor unions, discuss the recent split within the AFL-CIO, and write an article based on interviews with union members.
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Cambodia's Quest for Justice
Young scholars observe pictures, articles, maps, charts and other gathered information concerning the Khmer Rouge regime that ruled Cambodia by participating in a gallery walk. Afterward, they discuss war crimes and the significance of...
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Just a "Fellow Traveler" in the Human Experience
Young scholars connect the events of early space exploration to their lives today. After viewing a teacher created gallery, they discuss how the launch of Sputnik and how space exploration in general has positively or negatively...
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Stain Glass
Students study the history of stain glass. In this stain glass lesson, students select an art period and research the use of glass during that time. Students create a picture presentation of stained glass pictures from their town....
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The Cost of "Living"
Students explore their memories of Sept. 11 and discuss how much they believe victims of Sept. 11 and their families should be compensated.
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Teens on Trial
Students read about the public reaction to the conviction of Alex and Derek King, and explore the issue of child offenders being tried and sentenced as adults. They compose letters to Florida Governor Jeb Bush, outlining their opinion on...
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Shot Down
students examine a Maine law concerning the destruction of guns used in homicides. They explore the advisability of destroying these guns and whose responsibility it is to notify families about what happens to these guns.
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Los Artistas Unidos
Students explore the diversity of characters in popular television shows and movies, then investigate the backgrounds and careers of famous Hispanic actors.
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Can Peace Prevail?
Learners examine terrorist attacks in Amman, Jordan, and consider how events like these affect the global war against terrorism. They write reflective pieces exploring their own opinions about terrorism and the state of current affairs...
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Printing Error
Students explore the controversy surrounding recently published Danish political cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad.
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Recommended Reading?
Learners examine and defend various positions in the argument over a book ban in the Miami-Dade school system and then write a letter to the Miami-Dade school board expressing their opinion about the issues raised in the debate.
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Calling Plans
Students explore the consequences of allowing students to use cell phones and other electronic devices in schools. They draft school policy statements regulating the use of these devices.
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Minding the Media
Learners reflect on the fairness of rating movies, television, radio, books, magazines, Web sites and other media. They submit their own entries for a media rating guide.
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The Skinny on Sororities
Students explore the boundary between membership exclusivity and illegal discrimination in private organizations by examining a recent case of alleged discrimination in a college.