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Human genome project
Pupils research writings on "the book of life." Students research the human genome project. Pupils discover the issues of nature versus nurture are still hashed over in the scientific community.
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Keeping Time
Students compose lyrics to songs for a music festival to promote issues in their community. They write artists' statements explaining the issues they chose to write about.
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Wilderness Preservation
Students conduct research on different historical wilderness issues or events and analyze those events in the context of the political and cultural climate of that particular time.
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Unit on International Law and Organizations
Pupils participate in a debate between internationalists and the rights of sovereign nations. They read interviews and role play one of the sides in a mock interview.
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LEGISLATION: Passing a bill in The House of Representatives
Ninth graders explore how legislation is introduced to the House of Representatives with special emphasis on how issues of national importance arise and how bills move through the chamber. Students debate an urgent bill and direct...
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Pay to Learn?
Students discuss the concept of schools paying students as an incentive for scoring higher on standardized tests. They debate the key issues of this question and write a letter to the local board of education expressing their position.
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Denying Civil Rights
Students continue their examination of the United States Constitution. Individually, they identify events in which the government has limited our civil rights and write an essay. In groups, they debate the issue and answer...
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Was the Iraq War a "Humanitarian Intervention?"
Learners debate the intent of the Iraq war. In this humanitarian intervention lesson, students each research a view point and defend it in a class room debate. Learners defend the views points of Terry...
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The European Union 1
Students view a PowerPoint presentation on the European Union. In this UK lesson, students explore the question of whether the UK should form part of the European Union and develop their debate skills.
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The Giver
Students read and analyze the novel, 'The Giver.' They classify activities in an activity regarding freedom of choice, create a list of rules, conduct a debate, write a skit, and write an essay on genetic engineering or utopian societies.
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Analyzing Public Policy Opinions
Students brainstorm a list of the major issues affecting Fairfax County, Virginia. Using the internet, they choose one topic to research in depth. To end the lesson, they analyze the effectiveness of an actual public policy proposal or...
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Parliamentary 101 or "How to Get Things Done!" (Unless You're in Opposition)
Students are introduced to new vocabulary used in a Legislature setting. As a class, they are divided into a Government group and an Opposition group and present their issues to the other side. They rank the issues and change roles to...
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Landmines on Trial
Learners engage in a discussion of both sides of the arms trade and landmine ban argument. They gain a broader understanding of the impact of landmines on human rights and development. They introduce solutions to the landmine issue.
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Free Speech Comes At a Price
Students use communicative activity strategy, Go, Ask and Tell, or more traditional whole text comprehension activity to read, discuss and explore issues in article, Free Speech Comes at a Price, by Hugh Mackay.
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Overpopulation vs. Overuse of Resources
Tenth graders identify the consequences of human population growth. In this biology lesson, 10th graders debate on whether overpopulation or overuse of resources is more harmful to humans. They write a reflection at the end of the...
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Scientific Theories
Ninth graders compare and contrast how different models can be used to represent scientific understandings. They evaluate the use of data when considering scientific claims. Students debate a variety of socio-scientific issues and the...
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Frantz Fanon: Black Skin, White Mask
Students examine the history and geography of Martinique and Algeria, with an emphasis on broader issues of race and colonialism. They list some reasons that violence is or isn't a legitimate force in the struggle for people's freedom.
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Resolving the Kashmir Dispute
High schoolers explain the historical origins of the India-Pakistan dispute over Kashmir and debate both sides' claims. They evaluate the position of India and Pakistan relating to the dispute over Kashmir.
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Town Planning
Seventh graders consider factors in making road transport planning directions. They write a short speech for a presentation at an inquiry. They debate and analyze the information presented in the debate.
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Radio Program #13-Consolidation of Schools
Students interpret the stories of school consolidation efforts. They explore what social and structural changes have occurred in rural schools. Students debate the plusses and minuses of school consolidation from several perspectives.
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Stonewall and Beyond:
Students examine issues that surround the quest for gay/lesbian equal rights, explore bias and negative stereotyping in the media and their effect on how gays and lesbians are treated, examine their own biases, and express their opinions...
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Congratulations ! You're on a Parliamentary Committee
Tenth graders explain the expectations and evaluation criteria of this simulation of the committee process. They draft a bill / law to address an identified current problem or issue.
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Congratulations ! We've Appointed you to a Committee while you were out of the Room ! : Let the Deliberations begin !
Tenth graders, in groups, draft a bill that relates to a current problem or issue.