Constitutional Rights Foundation
How the First State Constitutions Helped Build the U.S. Constitution
Did you know that the United States Constitution was adopted after many state constitutions were already in place? Young scholars examine facts about the influence of states through an informative and interesting resource. Groups then...
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Coastal Quandary
Pupils explore the debate among development and environment experts on evacuation coastal areas and take part in their own debate on "evacuation versus redevelopment".
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Words In the News US Execution Delayed Again
Young scholars complete worksheets and an online quiz to increase their vocabulary before reading an online article about the death penalty in the US. They participate in a mini-debate on the issue.
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"LEG"eopardy: Legislative Jeopardy
Students practice debating skills by playing "LEG"eopardy, a legislative version of Jeopardy. They research topics about British Columbia's parliamentary democracy,generating lists of questions and answers for the debating game.
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Empowering Young People to Repair the World
Students analyze the role of study vs. good deeds in contributing to improving the world. They discuss how study and action are important and consider their obligation to make the world a better place. After discussing the concept of...
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Conquistadors: Hernán Cortes
Students discover the accomplishments of Hernan Cortes. In this Exploration Age lesson, students discuss the attributes of Cortes and his role as a conquistador. Students then conduct further research to participate in a debate about...
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Genetically Modified Food
Young scholars work in teams to develop a presentation and handout representing a particular point of view in a genetically modified food debate. They synthesize their knowledge of food, food contamination, nutrition, and their issues,...
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Mexico and Its Neighbor to the North
High schoolers stage a debate about immigration between the United States and Mexico. Half the groups the "pro" position of the question and half the groups the "con" position. They research and print online information about U.S.-Mexican
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What's Wrong With Nuclear Power, Anyway?
Learners see that the production and use of nuclear energy has been both praised and condemned as a source of electrical power for our daily living. They examine the reasons for the conflict of opinions in our society.
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Recreational Water Contamination and Beach Closurew
Students work in teams to develop a presentation and handout representing a particular point of view in a recreational Water Contaminationand Beach Closure Debate. They synthesize their knowledge of recreational water, sewage, and their...
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Mars
Students debate the ethical considerations involved in colonizing and terra-forming Mars. They have a preliminary discussion and view a video clip about Mars, then break into support and oppose groups to research and prepare their...
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The Constitutional Convention: What the Founding Fathers Said
Young scholars critique the Creation of the U.S. Constitution. They list some ideas proposed and debated during the Constitutional Convention. Discussion of the important issues requiring compromise are examined.
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Understanding Bias
Students participate in an interactive writing and discussion activity, on the study of bias, as it is used in political debate and decision making. They evaluate the presentation of material and its importance in making informed decisions.
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European Union Simulation: The European Council
Students participate in a simulation of the European Council in which they debate issues and adopt resolutions. After a lecture on the institutions of the European Union and the policymaking process, students choose a country to...
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An Aging Population - Economic Problem or Opportunity
Students explore if the aging population has any effect on the economy and overall well-being of society. In this economic lesson, students research the economic impact of the older citizens. They develop their own ideas and...
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Still Suspicious?
Students read and analyze The New York Times news article "An Assessment Jars a Foreign Policy Debate About Iran." They answer comprehension questions, evaluate both sides of the debate, and write a one page report on the article.
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Healthcare Reform Lesson Plans
Healthcare reform is a subject that students can debate, research, and analyze.
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Stem Cells: 5 Year Progress Report
Young scholars explore different aspects of stem cells. In this human biology instructional activity, students complete numerous activities including reading an article and discussing it, watching a video on stem cells reproducing...
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Extinction
Students develop a definition of extinction. In this extinction lesson, students listen to What Happened to Dinosaurs? Students research and debate theories of what happened to dinosaurs. Students present their arguments.
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World War II: The Pacific
Students explore the events in the pacific during World War II. For this World War II lesson, students use reference material to access information about significant locations in the War. Student debate the use of the atomic bomb to end...
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Losing Face or Saving Face?
Students examine the recent partial face transplant in Ameiens, France and the ensuing public debate on extreme plastic surgery. They participate in a fishbowl discussion on the ethics and implications of future face transplants.
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GLOBAL WARMING
Students form definitions of the greenhouse effect based on prior knowledge, class discussion, viewing diagrams, and participate in group brainstorming sessions and class discussions related to the impact of the greenhouse effect and...
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Coral Bleaching: Making Our Oceans Whiter
Students study coral reefs and the controversy over coral bleaching. They role-play a debate over the issue and come up with a compromise to protect the reefs and the economies that depend on them.
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Bootleg Bytes
Students conduct background research to explore the positions of different groups involved in the digital piracy debate, then participate in a fishbowl discussion that seeks to find a consensus on the issue.