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Curated OER

The Reel World

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore the ways in which the New York Times column 'Taking the Kids' analyzes whether or not current movies are appropriate for different ages of Students. They explore past articles from the column and create movie posters.
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Dangerous Waters (and Lands)

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students investigate the dangers of various geographical locations and the threat they pose to humans and other living things. They, in groups, research dangerous geographical locations and create a group "front page" highlighting these...
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Acting Up

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students, in groups, study a Tony Award winner from the past through researching its history, watching the production, and reading the written origin of the production. They create programs for these productions and assess
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Recalling History by Pulling Strings

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students investigate the role and nature of story-telling as it preserves history and culture and discuss how puppetry serves as an effective method of presentation. They create basic outlines for puppet shows that relay important...
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Driving the Digital Highway

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students research a specific type of innovative computer technology in automobiles or other commonplace products or services and create a radio advertisement 'selling' this innovation.
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A Picture Changes 1000 Minds

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students choose a Times photograph and write a brief essay explaining what they think is happening in the photograph and how it makes them feel. They select and analyze photographs depicting events in the Balkans and create a news photo...
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You've Got Infected Mail!

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students use New York Times articles to trace the causes, effects, and predicted impact of the Melissa e-mail virus. In small groups, students create diagrams of the information about the virus that serves as ongoing timelines of this...
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Outreach in the Aftermath

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students investigate types of aid needed to help Turkey recover and rebuild in the wake of a devastating earthquake on August 17, 1999. They create a plan for a fundraiser or project that they can do to offer assistance to victims of...
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Curated OER

Shedding Light On An Invisible Problem

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners explore the lives of homeless people, focusing particularly on Students. They develop ideas to increase awareness about this issue and create campaigns that educate their peers about the large number of homeless learners and...
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Where Does History Stand on the Last Stand?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine the Battle of Little Bighorn and its impact on United States and Native American culture through reading current and historic New York Times articles and by creating a research-based exhibit about this historic event.
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Isn't It Ionic?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students research the properties and health risks of organic chemical solvents. They create a Safety with Solvents newsletter to share with others in their school and community.
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Unionized We Stand

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students compose a statement of basic rights to protect their own health and well-being. They research the history, power and purpose of unions in the United States before creating their own union to promote the interests of students.
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Phishing Tales

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students research different types of identity-theft fraud and ways to avoid falling victim to various scams. They create focused public service announcements in different media, targeted to individuals most susceptible to consumer fraud.
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The Taming of the Few

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students consider the cultural, historical, and social implications of domesticating animals as pets. They create informative posters of various animals, illustrating their histories as pets.
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Sacred Space

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars consider the two finalists in the contest for architectural designs for the site of the World Trade Center. They create their own designs for a meaningful public space, then critique each other's designs.
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Community Building

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore the issues of urban and suburban sprawl. They work in small groups to create their own planned communities.
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No Bones About It

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students act as paleontologists, examining pictures of dinosaur skeletons and applying their knowledge of the relationship between skeletal features and survival, to create 'Paleontology Reports' about their perceptions of the lives of...
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Curated OER

Don't Type To Strangers

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students create Web advertisements to protect young people from online predators. For homework, they write letters pitching their ads and analyzing their effect. They discuss their own use of the Internet and how to protect young people.
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Watch and Learn

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore a particular problem with the development of new television shows and create original reality-based educational programming.
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Ticker Text Parade

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine news headlines and create very brief news pieces in the style of news tickers. They write papers reflecting upon these experiences and on the value of concisely written news reports.
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Guess Who's Coming to Dinner

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students create Thanksgiving menu and pre-dinner blessing or ritual that is sensitive to five different imaginary Thanksgiving guests from a variety of backgrounds.
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Remembering Rosa

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students research and profile figures in American civil rights such as Rosa Parks, from 1955-68, to create commemorative posters.
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Spy vs. Spy?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students consider their beliefs about proper and improper surveillance and then create imaginary neighborhoods featuring surveillance technology in various public and private sites.
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At Your Service

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students discuss various volunteer activities and read how New York City organizes its volunteer efforts. They create their own databases compiling volunteer opportunities and write reflective essays on how volunteers help their...