Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Alien and Sedition Acts

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars perform research in the wake of the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, a debate has begun over augmented security and surveillance, versus safeguards for personal freedoms. This debate is certain to occupy...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Effects Of Natural Disasters On Environment

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Pupils investigate the concept of how natural disasters effect the environment. They conduct research using a variety of resources. They are given a scenario that needs a defensive speech. Students take a position and defend it by...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Alternative Fix

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Pupils explore the history of the government's involvement in medicine. They examine the popularity of alternative medicine in today's society and the dangers that some alternative medicines may pose. Students research the development...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fundamentalism

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders explore the historical roots of fundamentalism and determine whether fundamentalism is a religion or a political ideology. They will examine different religious fundamentalist movements around the world noting any...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson Plan on Landmines

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students take a look at how landmines are being used all over the world (with specific focus on Cambodia). Students identify the physical and emotional impact of the use of landmines and how the international community is working to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Bill Of Rights And The News

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the concepts related to the Bill Of Rights. They conduct research using a variety of resources and focus upon the human rights provided in the legislation. Students read a news article and reflect the upon the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Looking for Lincoln During the Civil War

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders examine the presidency of Lincoln.  In this American History activity, 11th graders watch various videos on Lincoln and the Civil War.  Students read and answer questions. 
Website
University of North Carolina

Unc University Libraries: Digital Collections: Evolution Controversy: Nc: 1920s

For Students 9th - 10th
Digital repository of information and documentation of a controversy in 1920s North Carolina over the teaching of evolution. Includes a timeline of events, access to primary sources addressing both sides of the debate, and biographies of...
Online Course
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mit: Open Course Ware: Current Events and Social Issues

For Students 9th - 10th
This course outline offers resources for studying controversial social issues of both the present and past.
Activity
Other

Lehigh University: The Enola Gay Controversy

For Students 9th - 10th
This website from the Lehigh University provides a fresh way of approaching the old question of the need for the atom bomb. The site also outlines the controversy over how this historical event should be remembered and represented,...
Article
George Washington University

National Security Archive: Anatomy of a Controversy

For Students 9th - 10th
The most dangerous moment of the Cuban Missile Crisis appeared to be on the evening of Saturday, October 27,1962. This site provides accounts of the events of this day by several of the important world leaders who were involved.
Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

Alex: The 1960s: A Time of Contrast, Change, Controversy

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This lesson explores the 1960s and the contrasts, changes, and controversies that occurred during the period. The teacher will present an overview of the cultural and social aspects of the period. Students will choose a person, event, or...
Website
University of Missouri

Famous Trials: An Account of the Leonard Peltier Trial

For Students 9th - 10th
Read an account of th events that led to the arrest of Leonard Peltier for the murder of two FBI agents. Did he receive a fair trial? Find a wealth of information related to this controversial trial.
Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: A Biography of America: Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson

For Students 9th - 10th
Consider the perspectives of Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson and why they made decisions that they did with respect to the American wilderness. The issue is whether the Hetch Hetchy dam should be built to supply water to San...
Article
University of Missouri

Famous Trials: Mountain Meadows Massacre (1875 76)

For Students 9th - 10th
Called "the darkest deed of the nineteenth century," the brutal 1857 murder of 120 men, women, and children at a place in southern Utah called Mountain Meadows remains one of the most controversial events in the history of the American...
Article
American Institute of Biological Sciences

Action Bioscience: Issues in (Biology) Education

For Teachers 9th - 10th
A series of articles on current issues in teaching biology. Several are available in Spanish.
Website
Authors Calendar

Author's Calendar: Fyodor Dostoevsky

For Students 9th - 10th
This site presents an accurate account of the events in the life of Fyodor Dostoevsky. Also includes a bibliography of works by and about the author.
Handout
Library of Congress

Loc: Chronology of the American Conservation Movement

For Students 9th - 10th
Documentary chronology/timeline of selected events in the development of the American Conservation Movement, 1847-1920.
Primary
Other

Nfa: A Fight to the Finish; u.s. And Japan

For Students 9th - 10th
These scripts (the first of two drafts) describe the events in World War II in the Pacific Theater.
Website
ProCon.org

Pro Con: Tsarnaev and the Death Penalty: Should the Boston Bomber Be Executed?

For Students 9th - 10th
Website dedicated to controversial issues lays out the both sides of the arguments made on whether or not Tsarnaev should recieve the death penalty. Resources for students include summary of events, pro con list, and links to related...
Website
CNN

Cnn: How We Got Here: A Timeline of the Florida Recount

For Students 9th - 10th
Very informative timeline that thoroughly explains the events surrounding the disputed Presidential Election of 2000. In particular, this article effectively chronicles the controversy in Florida. 12/2000
Website
Human Rights Watch

Human Rights Watch: Iran

For Students 9th - 10th
Human Rights Watch, with this accompanying web site , is one of the leading organizations dedicated to defending and protecting human rights. International attention is focused where human rights are violated and oppressors are held...
Handout
Wikimedia

Wikipedia: Biotechnology

For Students 9th - 10th
A brief encyclopedia article on biotechnology defines the term and discusses the many forms of biotechnology that there are. A brief timeline of historical events related to the field of biotechnology is also presented.
Handout
Other

Utilitarianism.com: John Stuart Mill (1806 1873)

For Students 9th - 10th
Summary of Mill's most important writings as tied to the events in his life. His most controversial was "On Liberty," written in 1859, on the decline of individualism and the fear of mass democracy. Some critics point to the influence of...