Curated OER
A More Perfect Union: Women's Suffrage and the Constitution
Learners reflect on the pros and cons of Women's Suffrage and it was viewed during the late 1800's. In this history lesson, students will analyze documents on women's suffrage so that they can compare and contrast the rights of women...
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Up in Smoke
Students consider their beliefs about anti-smoking laws before and after examining total smoking bans in various countries and the rationales behind them. They write position papers supporting or opposing the institution of a total...
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SeaWorld: Education, Entertainment, or Exploitation?
Students discuss SeaWorld, research marine animal biology, investigate one animal currently collected by SeaWorld, and decide whether they oppose or support SeaWorld's collection policy. Students then gather information relating to...
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Stately Statements
Learners closely read President Bush's State of the Union address, then develop interviews and write articles to assess a variety of points of view about The proposals offered in the speech.
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The Union is Perpetual: Lincoln is Elected
Students view primary documents about the race for President in the time of Abraham Lincoln. In this election lesson, students prepare arguments for and against Lincoln using an analysis sheet. Students create a poster or cartoon to...
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A Test Case for Individual Rights
Young scholars examine the different points of view regarding testing students for drug use. They then work in pairs to create and perform dialogues that flesh out two sides of the argument around this controversial issue.
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Art as Social Commentary
Learners view artworks that make a statement about social conditions. They discuss the artworks, write about them and present their ideas to the class. They create socially conscious art pieces of their own.
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Land is the Basis of All Independence
Students develop debating and analytical thinking skills. They take a position in the Back-to-Africa discussion, based upon any readings and the two opposing essays they read. In groups, they discuss an issue from two different points...
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Northern and Southern Differences in 1856
Fourth graders investigate differences between the ideology of the Northern and Southern states in 1856. In this states' history lesson, 4th graders examine the needs for slaves in the Southern agricultural economy, and compare it to the...
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Pick a Mountain Side
Students examine opposing points of view in a legal land use battle and propose resolutions for the conflict. They further explore the situation by drafting memorandums of understanding that outline a path to reconciliation.
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Frederick Douglas and Abraham Lincoln
Students discuss the significance of the announcement of the Emancipation Proclamation and the assassination of Lincoln. They analyze how historians use evidence and develop differing interpretations. Students examine historical bias and...
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Catharine Blaine
Students research Catherine Blaine by navigating websites to investigate her ideas on reforms for women and the challenges of western settlement. In this Catherine Blaine lesson, students view grade appropriate materials and participate...
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Higher (Priced) Education
Students explore the proposed Affordability in Higher Education Act. They synthesize their knowledge by acting as lobbyists representing different special interest groups with opposing perspectives on the proposed bill.
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The Ultimate Punishment
Students discover information about the death penalty debate. They explore the history of the death penalty and how it has changed over time. They examine supporting and opposing viewpoints of the issue.
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What is Canadian?
Students explore how artworks can become symbols of national identity. They examine and analyze Song of the Nations, a site specific sculpture by Quebecois artist Armand Vaillancourt that expresses his views of Quebec's position...
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Isolation or Intervention?
Students research the attitudes and politics of pre-World War II America. They become isolationists or interventionists and present their points of view during a simulated city council meeting.
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What is Fire?
Students conduct an experiment. For this fire lesson, students view an experiment where they learn the conditions needed to keep a fire burning. Students discuss the experiment and learn about the fire triangle.
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Religion and Globalization
High schoolers consider the influence of religious values in global perspectives. In this global issues lesson, students research noted articles and documents about globalization, discuss the implications of living in a global society,...
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TV ATTACK ADS AND THE VOTER
High schoolers read about the history of negative political advertisements in U.S. elections. In this politics lesson plan, students view several ads for opposing candidates and analyze and discuss the content. High schoolers write...
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PowerPoint Ethical Dilemmas
Students watch a demonstration of a complete PowerPoint presentation discussing the ethical dilemmas using the software program. While using a storyboard, they create their own presentation and have their classmates view them. To end...
Star Wars in the Classroom
"Shakespeare and Star Wars": Lesson Plan Day 12
Class members compare the final 30 minutes of Lucas's Star Wars: A New Hope with Act V of Doescher's play, William Shakespeare's Star Wars: Verily, A New Hope and consider how the choice of media influences viewers' impression of the...
ProCon
Death Penalty
Should the United States continue the practice of capital punishment? Scholars set out to answer the question in preparation for a class debate or discussion about the death penalty. They watch videos, analyze charts about death penalty...
British Council
The Christmas Truce
Imagine calling a truce in the middle of a war, singing Christmas carols with the enemy, exchanging gifts, and playing a game of football. Such a thing actually happened. Class members listen the stories of soldiers who experienced the...
Curated OER
Persuasive Essay
Next time you assign your young historians to write a persuasive essay, use this document as a starting point and support them with a rubric, tips for writing a successful persuasive piece, and a general essay outline.