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The Amistad Case: A Mock Trial
Learners hold a mock trial. In this Amistad case instructional activity, students prepare for and participate in a mock trial regarding the Amistad case and determine the fate of the Africans recovered on the ship.
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Were Lewis and Clark respectful to the Native Americans they encountered on their journey?
Sixth graders debate whether or not Lewis and Clark were respectful of Native Americans they encountered on their journey. In this American History lesson plan, 6th graders review primary documents and diary entries from the Lewis...
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Albert Parsons
Students determine whether a hanging victim is guilty or not guilty. In this introductory law instructional activity, students use numerous documents to present their case proving Albert Parsons as either guilty or not guilty.
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Argument
Students write and discuss opposing points of view. In this argument instructional activity, students learn to understand what an argument is and they get to argue one side of a disagreement. An alternative written assignment is...
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Making a Formal Argument - "The Most Important Word"
In this formal argument activity, students learn debate skills by writing a formal argument to the given prompt. Students must be able to state their position, provide points that support their decision, and support each point with...
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How To Argue Without Cheating
In this debate activity, learners read and learn about the fine points of debate and persuasion. The vocabulary presented and the ideas are quite advanced; premise, conclusion, syllogism, ad homineum, and other difficult terms.
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Who Are Travellers?
Students visit specified websites to research zoning information in Essex. They participate in a role play to present a zoning request to a city council. Groups of students prepare their side of the case and create their proposal to be...
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The Great Kapok Tree Debate
Learners participate in a read aloud of the story, "The Great Kapok Tree" in which a logger decides not to cut down a tree. In small groups, they discuss and write about their opinion on the logger's decision. Each group then presents...
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Suspect Sources at the Republican Debate
Young scholars explore and analyze statements made during a televised presidential debate. In groups, they research and test the validity of the statements made by the presidential contenders. Students examine sources and draw...
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How Does School Work?
Students identify and interpret what their school is like and how it works. They watch animations and slideshows on the government website. Students also develop thinking skills by examining the way voting and democracy works through...
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National Debate Over Treaty Ratification
Learners review the main points of the Versailles Treaty. In groups, they analyze a variety of political cartoons about Wilson and the treaty itself and share their findings with the class after completing a worksheet. To end the...
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The Holocaust's Legacy
Young scholars investigate contemporary hate groups and then participate in a debate on tolerating their existence of the Holocaust. They work in groups to conduct research. Students use print and Web resources to identify one or more...
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Debating Teenage Rights
Students deal with 'real world' questions in settings that resemble Congress or the courtroom. They identify a problem, find causes, research possible solutions, determine the best solution, and plan a means of implementing the best...
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Building a Better Argument
High schoolers identify the major components of arguments. They deconstruct several arguments in order to relate the differences between premises and conclusions. Students review several documents and identify the way arguments can be...
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Taming the Mighty Dragon
Students incorporate the five themes of geography to study the Yangtze river region. They analyze the possible effects of the three rivers gorge damn project on this area and role play a float the entire length of this dangerous river...
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Growing Voters and Election 2004: Classroom Debate
Students research the issues and platforms of candidates and separate propaganda from process in order to choose a candidate to support. Students examine political parties and their contributions to shaping the foundation of the...
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Who Sunk the Titanic
Learners discuss possible reasons for the Titanic sinking. They are split into small groups to research a historical figure involved in the sinking of the Titanic. They formulate a way to prove their characters guilt or innocence....
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The Great Kapok Tree
Pupils read The Great Kapok Tree by Lynne Cherry. After reading the story, they center on the controversy of destroying the rain forest or conserving it. Students have to make an informed decision about rain forest destruction.
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Debates
Students conduct research using multiple sources to support a position in a debate. They put information from multiple sources into correct debate format. Students participate in a debate arguing one position in a focused manner.
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Be It Resolved: A lesson In Debating
Students examine debating procedures. In teams, students research the effects of European-Aboriginal interaction. Students collect, analyze and interpret information to support their side of the debate.
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Model UN Simulation on Population Control Policies
Students participate in a Model UN Simulation Activity in which they take the role of country delegates and NGO representatives in an attempt to develop and debate resolutions that seek to provide remedies to the problems of...
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The Great Planetary Debate
Students' are given a research sheet to complete in small groups. They are to select a planet or moon to research using the Internet. With this research and their completed form, each group defends their planet or moon in a debate...
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Animal testing debate
Students debate the issues surrounding animal testing. The debate is based around a suggestion or motion. The motion is: This house believes that animal testing should continue. Students are divided into proposers (for the motion)...
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Debating in the House of Commons
Students order the stages of a debate in the House of Commons. They review the rules of debates using a printable worksheet. They form groups of proposers and opposers to host a debate.