Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Great Debate

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Groups of learners investigate the persuasive genre of writing as they research and present on an issue. They research the Internet (possible websites are included) for a topic and locate information to present to the opposing team. In...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Recreating Marriage: The Same-Sex Union Debate

For Teachers 9th - 12th
A debate continues regarding same-sex marriage as a constitutional right. This lesson requires learners to define marriage then formulate an argument that reconstructs the national debate perspectives. Many standards are addressed but a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bioethics: Debates in Human Genetics

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars, in groups, research and prepare a debate regarding various bioethical situations. After the debates, each student prepares a ortfolio outlining their own personal opinions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Transportation Fuels Debate

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students study the different transportation fuels.  In this energy sources lesson students debate the merits of their fuel over others while working together in groups.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Debate over the Ratification of the Constitution

For Teachers 12th
Twelfth graders discuss the creation of the United States, the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution. Through a class debate, role-playing Federalists and Anti-federalists, they identify the reasons for and against ratification...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

National Debate Over Treaty Ratification

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students 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...
Lesson Plan
Missouri Department of Elementary

Finding the Positive

For Teachers 5th Standards
To instill the importance of a positive classroom community small groups create a collage out of magazine clippings that highlight three characteristics of self-awareness. Written examples accompany the finished product. Groups turn in...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

To Group of Not to Group - That is the Question!

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Upper elementary and middle schoolers use their observation skills to group different kinds of candy by similar characteristics. They debate whether or not we should classify objects. Finally, they learn that biologists have developed a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

LAND USE DEBATE / TOWN MEETING

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders research, analyze, and orally defend an issue related to the use of geologic resources. They defend their position in written form by composing a letter to an appropriate source.
Lesson Plan
Cornell University

Fibers, Dyes, and the Environment

For Students 6th - 12th Standards
Nanofibers can be made through electrospinning or force spinning in order to reduce the negative impact on the environment. Pupils study the role of fibers and dye on the environment through a series of five hands-on activities. Then,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bioethics: Tool for Portfolio and Performance Assessment

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students, in cooperative studying groups, assume the affirmative or negative position of a particular issue (premise). They research the issue and participate in a debate. In addition, they write essays to complete a portfolio entry.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Who Started World War I?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students debate which power was responsible for the outbreak of World War I. In this cause and effects lesson, students research the causes of the outbreak of World War I on ProQuest in preparation for a (limited) reenactment of the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Peter and the Starcatchers: Anticipation Guide

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Pique your pupils' interest before reading Peter and the Starcatchers with an anticipation guide. Given a list of 10 statements, learners choose true or false based on what they think the book is about. They then discuss in small...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Encouraging Answers

For Teachers 6th - 12th
What is the celebration of Columbus Day really about? Older learners use inquiry-based methods to find out who Columbus really was and what motivated his journeys. They take on the roles of town officials who must consider whether or not...
Lesson Plan
PBS

Evaluating Conflicting Evidence: Sultana

For Teachers 6th - 10th Standards
What sunk the Sultana? Scholars become investigators to uncover the facts behind the 1865 sinking just after the end of the Civil War. Through group work, videos, and primary documents, they research and analyze why 1,800 men died....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Stem Cell Research

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine embryonic cell research and the controversy that surrounds it.  In this stem cell lesson students use a debate model and present and defend their positions. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Debates in Human Genetics

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Learners examine case studies involving human genetics. They research the case and determine possible problems to the issue. Students write essays supporting their opinion. They debate the ethical issues.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What is cooperative negotiation?

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders differentiate between positions, interests, and values.  In this current events lesson, 10th graders analyze, in a response to literature, the failure of a fictional negotiation.  Students demonstrate the ability...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Medicare Reform

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars calculate how much of each paycheck is deducted into the Medicare system, explain the need for health insurance and Medicare, and work in small groups to develop their own plan to reform Medicare.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Author's Purpose

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students discuss and define what folk and fairy tales are. In this literature lesson, students construct their own working definitions for folk and fairy tales. Students choose to work as a class or in cooperative groups. Then students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Tobacco in North Carolina

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders examine the depiction of North Carolina tobacco farms in several photographs. They work in small groups to prepare an argument for a class debate and create promotional signs to advertise their point of view about tobacco...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Individual Rights And Responsibilities

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate a trial in the netherlands in order to comprehend the concept of human rights and how they need protection. They conduct the research done by reading in small groups and have a mock trial using the details of the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Martian Colony Proposals

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders design a proposal for a Martian colony to be presented to a group of their peers. They review their knowledge of Mars. Students evaluate for themselves which of their classmates proposal best fits their criteria.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Children Living on the Street - Debating the Fundamentals

For Teachers 12th
Twelfth graders identify issues related to the rights of children who live on the street. Using the internet, they research topics of interest to them. In groups, they develop arguments supporting their point of view and debate them in...