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Judges in the Classroom
Students define the legal meaning of juvenile and identify various ways to treat young offenders. They identify the current philosophy of the Utah juvenile justice system using a true/false worksheet and discussion format.
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Pressures and Responsibities
Students recognize some of the physical dangers of smoking. They discuss personal responsibilities regarding smoking and peruse magazines and newspapers to find at least one tobacco advertisement.
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Analytical Essay
What is an analytical essay? Introduce this type of thinking to your young writers. First, discuss what it means to analyze something. Then, identify the different components of an essay and what details are embedded in each component....
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My Brother Sam is Dead: A study of the Revolutionary War
Fifth graders complete an analysis of the Revolutionary War through literature. After "My Brother Sam Is Dead," students create a time capsule containing items that would be relevant during the Revolutionary War. They identify key...
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Debating Iraq
Learners analyze the main themes of President Bush's UN Speech and discussion of the NewsHour report on the Iraq Debate. In this debate lesson, students answer pre-listening questions and view a transcript of the speech. In groups of two...
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Struggles for Power
Students investigate the leaders of the Roman Empire. In this ancient Rome lesson, students research the contributions of Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius I, and Nero. Students write obituaries that feature the accomplishments,...
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Good For You?
Learners discuss nutrition and compare nutritional values of a snack product claiming health benefits with a candy product.
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Two World Wars
Students listen to a lecture about WWI, or they go through the WWI project time line in a computer center. Students repeat the above options about WWII. Once the research is complete, students compare the two wars by filling in the...
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Saving Private Pensions
Students consider the importance of financial security after retirement, examine current problems with pension plans in the private sector, research different retirement options, and create a "How it Works" poster.
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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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Stand Up For Her Rights
Students consider how different cultural and religious groups perceive girls' education. By addressing differences and identifying common ground, students attempt to arrive at a philosophy of girls' education that takes varying...
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Hot Off the Web
Students read an online article about blogging and its culture especially in the workplace. They create their own blogs based on current events.
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Who's on Trial Here?
Students discuss privacy issues that public personalities encounter when they are accused of committing a crime after reading an article in The New York Times. Students then write essays after researching several trials of public...
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Safety Up in the Air
Students explore the controversy over a bill giving pilots the option to become armed federal law enforcement officers. They brainstorm other possible security measures for airplanes and airports.
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Conversation Lesson: Men and Women - Equal at Last?
Young scholars engage in a debate about equality between men and women as a way to work on their conversational skills. The format of the debate is imbedded in this plan.
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Fountain Pen Makes a Comeback in Scotland
Students read and discuss a news article about a school in Scotland that is using fountain pens to write with. They answer article comprehension questions, participate in a discussion about the importance of handwriting, write their...
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Are We Safer?
Students discuss the meaning of feeling safe in their environment after September 11th. After reading National Intelligence reports and news articles summarizing the findings about national security, they write letters to their...
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Standards and Measures
Students conduct a "one-question interview" about standardized tests. They assess two sections of a standardized test that they took or will take this year and write an article for their school newspaper that consolidates their test...
PBS
The Big Picture-Economic Security in the Country and your Community
High schoolers explore economic security at the local and national level during the time period preceding the 2008 presidential election. They fill out surveys on their thoughts and concerns regarding the US economy, and watch a video...
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Thinking About Credit
Students examine the use of credit such as installment purchases and credit cards. In this credit lesson, students learn the vocabulary associated with credit usage such as mortgage, credit report/score, and debit cards. They determine...
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Whitewashing History
Young scholars revisit issues of civil rights in the U.S. They use the recent national discussion of retiring Senator Strom Thurmond's 1948 Dixiecrat Presidential campaign as a starting point.
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Defining Issues
Students work on a 'campaign committee' to define civic issues that are important to them and their community. They write letters to city officials with proposals for how to address these issues.
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Hero vs. Claudio: A Case of Slander
High schoolers research marriage customs of the Renaissance, discuss and debate the issues raised by Claudio repudiating Hero at the altar in the Shakespearean play Much Ado About Nothing, and then stage a mock trial accusing Claudio of...
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The Life of a President
Students examine the life of President Gerald R. Ford. After reading an article, they discuss his legacy. They collect articles written during his time in office and examine the key issues of his presidency. They write an article about...