Smithsonian Institution
New American Roles
America has dealt with its fair share of hardships in contemporary history. The resource discusses the events of the Gulf War, September 11th, the Afghanistan War, and The Iraq War. Scholars click on artifacts to learn more information,...
Curated OER
AN INTRODUCTION TO AFGHANISTAN
Students are introduced to the country of Afghanistan with its unique people, culture, religion and major challenges. They view a powerful PowerPoint presentation on Afghanistan and its place in world history. A wealth of resource links...
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Through Many Lenses: How are Countries Depicted by the Media?
If you plan to utilize the ABC miniseries, "The Path to 9/11" in your classroom, consider incorporating media literacy and research skills. After (or while) learners view the series, they discuss ways information can differ from source...
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Afghanistan: A Rich History
Students study events in Afghanistan in the 1980s and 1990s. They discuss the role of the international community in the rise of the Taliban to power, and consider what can be learned from our country's involvement in Afghanistan.
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Kabul's Troubles
Learners investigate the many political changes that Afghanistan has endured over the past century in order to better assess the impact of the recent fleeing of the Taliban from the capital of Kabul.
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ANTI-WAR DEMONSTRATION
Students analyze what can cause conflicts between nations, what the benefits of non-violent conflict resolution are, and what the limitations of non-violent conflict resolution is.
ProCon
Drone Strikes Overseas
Should the United States continue the practice of using drone strikes abroad? Readers explore the top pro and con arguments in preparation for a debate or discussion about the topic. They read about the history of drone strikes, view a...
Pulitzer Center
International Aid and Fragile States
"States suffering from internal conflict, weak infrastructures, lack of economic development, and general instability are emerging as a large threat to the international security." What factors contribute to the creation of a fragile...
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: 9/11 Revisited
Political cartoons about the September 11 terrorist attacks provide an opportunity for class members to analyze the inferences embedded in the drawings.
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Conflict Resolution in the World Today: Introduction to Current World conflicts, their Antecendents, the Progression, and their Potential Conclusions
Students write a paragraph describing a conflict they had with a friend or a family member and a paragraph explaining how it was resolved. In this social science lesson, students share their paragraphs with a partner and then will...
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War, Peace and Judaism 1
Students describe the conflict discussed in class, identify the groups involved in the conflict and their various interests, and define the term ethics. They analyze a current news story from an ethical point of view.
Holiday Zone
Memorial Day Challenge
What do the American Revolution, Monday, and remembrance have in common? These are three of the 63 words you'll find in this word search dedicated to the major symbols, events, and features of Memorial Day.
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Guerilla Warfare
Students view a television program comparing conventional and guerilla warfare. They compare and contrast guerilla movements in Cuba, Vietnam and Afghanistan. Students also consider the American Revolutionary War from the perspective of...
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Nation Building
Students explore the concept of nation building. In this diplomacy lesson, students research America's nation building efforts in Somalia, Haiti, the Balkans, Guatemala, Cuba, Vietnam, and Grenada. Students share their findings and...
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Airborne & Special Operations Museum
For this history worksheet, high schoolers solve a crossword puzzle on various Special Operations during wartimes. They identify various dates in history and define why they were significant. Finally, students name specific military groups.
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Who is Robert M. Glass? - Black History Month
Students research the role of African Americans during the each of the United States' wars. In this African American history lesson, students research information and statistics about the role of African Americans in the following wars:...
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Al Qaeda & the Taliban: What threat to the U.S.?
High schoolers examine the War on Terror. In this national security lesson, students read articles about the War on Terror and President Obama's foreign policy. High schoolers respond to discussion questions and debate the presence of...
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Country: Afghanistan
Students conduct Internet research to discover the history, culture and religion of Afghanistan. They visit a student-created site that includes a quiz and word search.
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Deciphering the Declaration of Independence
Students explore the textual meaning of the Declaration of Independence. In this Declaration of Independence lesson, students read and paraphrase the text of the document into modern-day language. Students also consider the meaning of...
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Civics/Current Events Activity for Students in Grades 4 - 7
Students examine the diverse reasons why cultures in other areas of the world often express hatred and resentment of Americans.
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Current Contexts
Students examine how they are affected by world affairs. After reading an article, they examine Otto Frank's attempts to immigrate to America. Using the New York Times, they identify examples of news, advertisements and photographs...
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A Way with Words
How do facts and opinions impact the news? After reading "How to Cover a War" from the New York Times, middle schoolers evaluate the claims in the article. They also consider the media's responsibilities in reporting during wartime....
New Museum of Contemporary Art
Lesson: Unmonumental: Fallen and Disappearing Monuments
Due to vandalism, war, and urban decay, many of the world's great monuments have fallen to ruin. Here is an interesting lesson that increases understanding of the dichotomy between what are intended as lasting tributes, and their...
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: Oh, What's the Next Crisis?
As scholars examine a simple political cartoon, they consider some of the crises of 2009: oil, foreign wars, energy, global warming, Swine Flu, etc. A list is provided for background information, and 3 talking points (or writing points)...