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Easy Access: Creating Annotated Versions of News Articles
How can news coverage be made more accessible for teens? Model for your class how to use technology to annotate news stories containing unfamiliar references that hinder their interest in and understanding of a news story. Use the...
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To Kill A Mockingbird: Study Guide Part I
Readers of To Kill a Mockingbird summarize events, identify characters, and analyze actions in the first 11 chapters of Harper Lee’s novel. The carefully crafted questions could be used to guide reading or as the basis of group or...
Deliberating in a Democracy
Freedom of Expression
Should democracies include hate speech as a protected right? Scholars analyze the rights found under the First Amendment to the Constitution through researching evidence. Freedom of expression becomes the focal point of the...
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Stating Your Case: Writing Thesis Statements Effectively
As a writer, if you have a weak introductory paragraph or thesis statement, you might lose your audience! Have your middle and high schoolers practice writing introductory paragraphs that include clear thesis statements in response to...
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Health Care
Options for public and privately funded health care is a valuable debate for students to follow and learn from. They can use their research to take part in a Town Hall Meeting using facts and style. They will contact the representatives...
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Kids Making News
Fifth graders correspond with one another regarding interesting global topics. They swap interview questions and collaborate in the publishing of an online newspaper. This should be a highly motivating lesson plan which get kids writing!
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Environmental Action
Middle schoolers debate one another. For this pollution lesson, 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 the debate.
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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...
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Project-Based Learning: Community Service
Community service is the basis for a project based learning experience. Your class participates in four weekly activities that require them to research community issues and contribute their time and talent to assist those in need. This...
BBC
Identity
Ethnic diversity is the focus of the political science lesson presented here. In it, pupils discuss the variety of ethnicities they see at their own school. They share their knowledge, or personal experiences of the way that people of...
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Bring on the World: Football Around the World
Pupils explore the existence of football in the world. In this current events lesson, students examine how football is played using an interactive whiteboard. Pupils compare its existence in the United Kingdom and in African nations.
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Why do so Many Young People Carry Knives?
Students explore the rise in knife crimes in Great Britain. In this current events lesson, students research the noted websites to study knife laws, British trends, and knife history.
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Documenting a Student Exchange program
Seventh graders examine student exchange programs. In this Current Events lesson, 7th graders produce a website for viewers. Students research the life of foreign exchange students.
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Writing to Learn History: Annotations and Mini-Writes
Students use their critical thinking skills to write about historical events. In this historical perspectives lesson, students read documents about historical events and make annotations and marginal notes. Students then respond to...
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Them and Us
Students consider social class issues in Great Britain. In this current events lesson, students visit selected websites and participate in a classroom discussion regarding social justice issues and segregation of social classes in Britain.
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Hitting the Roof
Students examine the state of the British housing market. In this current events lesson plan, students visit selected websites to study Gordon Brown's plan for eco-towns, how to borrow money to buy homes, and what the home prices are in...
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The Pauper and the Pop Star
Young scholars examine international adoption. In this current events lesson, students investigate international adoptions as they visit selected websites to educate themselves about the topic. Young scholars then discuss their findings.
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Virtual Reality
Students consider the implications of playing violent video games. In this current issues lesson, students visit selected websites to research virtual violence and video game censorship.
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What is cooperative negotiation?
Tenth graders differentiate between positions, interests, and values. For this current events lesson, 10th graders analyze, in a response to literature, the failure of a fictional negotiation. Students demonstrate the ability...
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Really Shocking
Students examine statistics about kidney transplants. In this current events lesson, students discuss the premise of the reality television show, "Big Donor Show." Students also discover the functions of the kidneys as well as the kidney...
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Visit Burma, the Safe Way
Students virtually travel to Burma. In this Burma lesson, students research Burma's history, religion, and current events as they visit selected websites and share their findings.
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Why Size Matters
Young scholars examine the concept of body image. In this current events lesson, students research selected websites for information about fashion models, plastic surgery, and advertising. Young scholars share and discuss their findings.
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Attention Seeking
Students compare the Ethiopia of the 1980's to today. For this current events lesson, students conduct research about the poverty-stricken Ethiopia exposed by the media in the 1980's with the conditions there today. Students discuss the...
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What is reconciliation?
Tenth graders practice using empathy with an enemy. For this Current Events lesson, 10th graders prepare possible peace plans for Bosnia after the war. Students write a report on Nelson Mandela's use of reconciliation in...