Curated OER
Feelings about Current Events
Students explore feelings about negative events. In this health and social studies lesson, students discuss and write about personal feelings about events that have had an impact on their life, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and plane...
Media Smarts
Thinking like a Citizen
Explore the influence social activism can have on important issues, and create a class full of young citizen activists. This plan calls for learners to participate in a whole class discussion and brainstorm about ways to effectively...
Curated OER
Global Issues
Pupils explore the ways that local, national, and global events are interconnected. They identify current issues at a local and global level, identify organizations that seek to improve conditions in other countries, and examine the role...
100 People Foundation
100 People: Global Issues Through Our Lens
If the world were 100 people...17 would not have access to safe drinking water, 18 would not be able to read or write, and 52 would not have a primary education. Using the theme of "100 people," this resource explores other major issues...
Curated OER
A More Perfect Union?
Students read and discuss the article "Bush Insists U.S. Must Not Fail in Iraq." They work in small groups to answer three questions based on their category by searching for the answers in the article read in class.
Curated OER
Wind Provides Electricity for Homes, Schools
Students complete a KWL chart, then read a news article about the comeback of windmills. In this current events lesson, the teacher introduces the article with a KWL chart and vocabulary activity, then students read the news report and...
Curated OER
Scientists Use Web Site to Report Volcano Activity
Young scholars react to statements about volcanoes, then read a news article about scientists monitoring eruptions at Augustine volcano in Alaska. In this earth science and current events lesson, the teacher introduces the lesson with a...
Curated OER
Coming Soon: Sodas with Vitamins
Students react to a series of statements about sodas, then read a news article about the addition of vitamins to sodas to increase sales. In this nutrition and current events lesson, the teacher introduces the article with a discussion...
US Institute of Peace
Simulation on The Cambodia Peace Settlement
Can there be peace in Cambodia? Immerse your class in a realistic negotiation setting during a riveting simulation. Learners assume the roles of key players in a group sparring with an opposing group to try to achieve peace in the midst...
ProCon
Drug Use in Sports
The ancient Greeks used performance enhancing drugs, such as opium juice, when they participated in the original Olympic Games. Pupils research a website with debate topics to decide if athletes' use of such drugs in modern sports is...
Curated OER
American History: Finding your Voice
Students are able to write a speech and create a slogan through analysis of current issues articles dealing with pesticide use. They put themselves in the position of one of the workers affected by the story they read.
Education World
Public Speaking Lesson: The Impact of Bullying
It's one thing to prevent yourself from becoming a bully, but how do you convince others to follow suit? Take the first step in creating a better world with a public speaking lesson that prompts learners to write and present persuasive...
Wish for the Future
Wish for the Future
What would be your class's ideal world 30 years in the future? What about 100 years? Use a series of activities to discuss globalization, sustainability, scientific contributions to society, and the global community of which your...
Curated OER
Israel & Palestine: The Fight for Peace
Young researchers explore the history of the peace process in the Middle East. They write a paper about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and view the video Israel and Palestine: The Fight for Peace. They discuss the events leading up to...
Odell Education
Building Evidence-Based Arguments: “Doping can be that last 2 percent.”
Even the most thrilling sports career can end in an asterisk if the player uses performance-enhancing drugs. Focused on the topic of doping in sports, a seventh grade unit breaks down the arguments for and against steroids in five...
Curated OER
California Fights Sugar
Scholars read articles and have a class discussion on California's efforts to fight obesity. They will read and discuss the effects of sugar on the body and the soda tax that is being proposed in California.
Curated OER
Civil liberties: Fundamental freedoms
Students explore civil liberties. They list and describe the fundamental freedoms guaranteed to Canadians. Students illustrate how Charter rights are applies. They examine current issues and suggest how the courts might apply Charter...
Curated OER
The Brain: Control Central
Students investigate the brain as the organ that regulates all of their physical, emotional, and cognitive responses. Some of the components of mental illness are examined inn this lesson.
Curated OER
Lesson Plan on Refugees
Learners explore the issue of "human rights" and discuss world events/situations in which human rights are in question. They determine their own needs and wants and simulate the experience of being a refugee having to leave their home. ...
Curated OER
Wall of Fame/Wall of Shame
Students create a bulletin board documenting good sportsmanship. After reviewing articles in magazines, students choose pieces that document good and bad behavior in sports. They discuss the implications of the behaviors noted in the...
Curated OER
Helping Hands: Promoting Gloval Awareness
Eleventh graders explore Canadian support for foreign aide. In groups, 11th graders discuss Canadian aide policies and express their opinion of each. Students brainstorm methods of contributing to developing nations. They complete...
Kenan Fellows
The Little Stuff Can Make a Big Difference
Great things come in small packages! What better way to illustrate this point than a week-long look at nanotechnology? Earth science scholars explore water quality issues through lab activities, then research new innovations in nanotech...
Curated OER
Environmental Action
Middle schoolers debate one another. In this pollution instructional activity, pupils work in teams to debate which is more serious, air or water pollution. They research their topic to come up with valid points to justify their side of...
Curated OER
Evaluating Information on Food Labels
What kinds of foods include corn? Corn syrup? Start by viewing a clip of Food Inc. with your middle or high schoolers. Then, study a list of corn-derived ingredients, encouraging your class to see how many food products contain corn. A...