Curated OER
Taking Things Personally
Students create a work of art calling attention to significant societal problems or social issues.
Curated OER
Re-Presenting Race in the Digital Age: "Who Can Pass"
Eleventh graders examine the relationship between race and class in historical and societal settings. They read and discuss the poem, "Passing," by Langston Hughes, analyze photographs by Yinka Shonibare, answer discussion questions,...
Curated OER
The Black Plague
Young scholars participate in a simulation game to experience the societal effects of the Black Plague during the Medieval Period. Information garnered during the game is used to discuss the current state of communicable diseases in...
Curated OER
Understanding Causes of Global Conflict: Peer Interviews
Students examine sources of conflict. For this global conflict lesson, students discuss how peer pressure, bias, oppression, ethnocentrism, miscommunication, and fear contribute to personal conflict as well as global conflict. Students...
Curated OER
Medical Scene Investigators
Students investigate physical, psychological and societal implications of various medical problems. Using internet technology and videos, students gather information on a medical problem. They compare/contrast viewpoints that may...
Curated OER
Modern Advocates for Change
Learners make a list of "modern day prophets" and explain how they have made considerable contributions toward the common good. They write a letter to a community leader in which they advocate the solution to a problem or issue in their...
Curated OER
Race and Genetics: An Integrated Approach
Students analyze racial issues related to the Human Genome Project. They participate in a mock symposium and write a reflection/position paper based on specific ethical principals.
Curated OER
Rainforests of Madagascar: Role Playing and Decision Making
Pupils examine reasons for deforestation and become familiar with Madagascar and its culture, while describing biological and abiotic components of a rainforest, and looking at aspects that must be addressed to resolve the issue of...
Curated OER
Homeless in America
Young scholars explore society by analyzing current events. In this homeless epidemic lesson, students discuss the problem of people who don't have housing and the adverse affects on everyday people. Young scholars identify ways to...
Curated OER
Responsibilities and rights: Making civic decisions
Students, working in small groups, investigate concepts related to social and economic decision-making. They define issues for some different groups within Australia, then assign either government or individual responsibility for each...
Curated OER
The Power of Images
Tenth graders create images based on an understanding of historical and contemporary images and issues that reflect an understanding of responsibility to the context of a specific audience.
Curated OER
Reading Multicultural Literature
Students read several fictional pieces which examine issues of urbanization and rural cultures. They discuss how the place a person lives affects the kind of person they become.
Curated OER
Looking Through Lenses
Students explore the various societal and cultural "lenses" which color their perspectives and life experiences by reading the short story "What Means Switch" by Gish Jen. They discuss how the cultural ideas and beliefs affect the...
Curated OER
Results In On Mock Election
Students examine the two presidential candidates in 2000, and identify their own stance on campaign issues. They create fictional candidates that represent their beliefs, and write campaign speeches from their point of view.
Curated OER
Adequate Standard of Living: Children's Rights
Students and parents participate in a variety of activities designed to explore the issue of every person's right to adequate housing. They make butter, make models of different types of housing, read books, discuss the rights and...
Curated OER
The Judiciary in American History
Students investigate the influence of political and societal forces on judicial decisions. Among the topics they examine are the selection of judges and the cause and effect relationship between politics, society, and the law. to...
Curated OER
Social Reality Portrayed through Pictures: The City as a Social Laboratory
Twelfth graders analyze and research physical and cultural changes to the city of St. John. Viewing photographs in a virtual exhibit, 12th graders draw conclusions about the culture and societal norms in St. John through the years. ...
Odell Education
Building Evidence-Based Arguments: "Cuplae poena par esto: Let the punishment fit the crime."
Should a criminal's punishment match the crime? An argumentative writing plan explores this question as class members investigate a variety of mixed-medium sources by experts in the field, form evidence-based claims, and support them...
Curated OER
Volcano Contour Models Activity
Young scholars experiment with water levels and plastic topographic volcano models to determine the contour lines that would be used to create a topograpohic map of a volcano. They use the traced lines to actually develop the map.
Curated OER
Cutting Athletics = Cutting Scholarship Chances
Young scholars identify athletic programs to be cut from school district budget, find out how many students have received college athletic scholarships in past, and interview young scholars and coaches to find out how scholarship search...
Curated OER
Build a Connection
Learners discuss their personal connections with stories they've read in the past and identify techniques to connect with more stories. They create illustrations, construct task cards, and complete sentence stems based on books they read...
University of Virginia
Analyzing Social Commentary in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn continues to be one of the most frequently banned books. The satire and social commentary present challenges when using the book as a core text. Direct readers' attention to how Twain uses plot,...
PBS
Technology: Conveniences and Consequences
It's a delicate balance—using technology to improve our lives while still protecting the environment, and ourselves, from the hazards of technology use. Class members examine statistics about the increase in media use, complete a survey...
Curated OER
Abercrombie & Fitch Catalogue: Is it Pornographic?
Young scholars research the legal definition of pornography from a law textbook, reference books available in class or online. Students view the Abercrombie and Fitch home page. A selection of resources related to this topic is linked....