Handout
ProCon

Sanctuary Cities

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
Should sanctuary cities receive federal funding, or do they defy federal laws? That is precisely the question scholars attempt to answer as they prepare for a class discussion or debate. After reading some brief background information,...
Handout
ProCon

Universal Basic Income

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
Should the United States adopt a universal basic income? After reading brief background information, scholars research the debate topic by reviewing the top three pros and cons. They also respond to a survey question and review other...
Handout
ProCon

Teacher Tenure

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
Before the implementation of tenure in 1886, female teachers were sometimes fired for wearing pants or staying out too late at night. Scholars research the debate topic to decide if teachers should get tenure. They review the history of...
Handout
ProCon

Standardized Tests

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
Does the use of standardized testing improve American education? Scholars dive into the issue as they prepare to discuss the debate topic with their classmates. After reviewing the pros and cons, they watch videos to help them arrive at...
Handout
ProCon

Social Security Privatization

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
Should Social Security be privatized, or is the government program fine just the way it is? Scholars read pro and con arguments and watch videos to learn more about the debate topic. Pupils also have an opportunity to interact with other...
Interactive
US National Archives

WWII: The Pacific 1939-45 – Japan and the Atom Bomb

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
Though the scientists who developed the atom bomb did not believe it should be used to end World War II, American President Harry S. Truman and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill were of like mind in their decision to drop the bomb...
Lesson Plan
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K20 LEARN

Trigger Warnings - Intellectual Rights and Responsibilities: Banned Books, Censorship Part 1

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
"Warning: Conducting this lesson may be harmful." Such statements, called "Trigger Warnings," are the focus of a two-part lesson that looks at censorship, especially the pros and cons of trigger warnings. Class members read two articles,...
Interactive
DocsTeach

The Civil War: Celebrate or Commemorate? Debate Definitions

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Match game for the win! Build learners' historical vocabulary using an interactive matching game. Class members match each term to its definition with a tap. A writing prompt rounds out the lesson, leading to further discussion on how...
Unit Plan
Simon & Schuster

Classroom Activities for Walden and Civil Disobedience by Henry David Thoreau

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
An 11-page packet contains three activities designed for readers of Henry David Thoreau's Walden and Civil Disobedience. In one exercise, groups debate whether Thoreau would today be considered liberal or conservative. For another,...
Interactive
DocsTeach

Debating Monuments, Memorials and Statues

For Teachers 4th - 6th
An illustrative activity explores images of monuments, statues, and memorials in the US to decide whether they should be kept or removed. Scholars place images in a keep or remove pile, then complete a worksheet online. The resource...
Lesson Plan
Newseum

Persuasion Portfolios

For Teachers 7th - 12th Standards
After class members brainstorm a list of current social and political issues, groups each select a different topic from the list to research. Teams create a portfolio of at least 10 examples of stories about their issue, stories that...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Debate over Branding

For Teachers 7th - 10th
The advantages and disadvantages of cattle branding are discussed. The class breaks into two groups to further consider each viewpoint. The lesson plan says that the class will read an article about the ongoing debate, but this article...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Legislative Debate: The Importance and Role of Debate within the Legislative Process

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Young scholars learn the legislative process as they debate real-life issues that affect students within their age group. To prepare for the debate, young scholars consult newspapers, selected articles, case studies, and other media...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Big Debate

For Teachers 6th - 7th
Students participate in a debate about whether to have chocolate sold in schools. They gather information and use the proper materials for the debate.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Let's Debate - Demonstrating Effective Communication Skills

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars explore and engage in the art of debate. When both sides have been presented each pair have a few minutes to prepare a rebuttal based upon what the opposing side has said. A rubric imbedded in this plan is used as an...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"Escuela" Debate

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Students observe a documentary on "Escuela" to explore the life and education of migrant families. After discussing the related topics in the movie, students share their conclusions migrant farmworkers. Using the Internet and other...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Debate Over Stem Cell Research

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students complete a variety of activities as they examine the ethical issues behind stem cell research and cloning. They make their own ethical decisions on both subjects.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

To Declare Independence or Not??

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students debate and role play about whether the colonists should declare independence from England or not. In this American history and oral communication lesson, students read informational text about the colonists and their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Immigration Debate: A Lesson from Viva La Causa

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars study the social justice issues of the immigration debate. In this immigration lesson, students examine the role of undocumented Latino workers as they explore how trade policies and competition influence immigration...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Editorial Cartoons: A Historical Example of Immigration Debates

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders analyze political cartoons.  In this American History instructional activity, 11th graders research the Chinese Exclusion Act and the current arguments about immigration to the United States.  Students create a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Debate in the United States over the League of Nations

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders read the words and listen to the voices of some central participants in the debate over the League of Nations.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Justice for All? Debating the Fairness of the Juvenile Justice System

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students discuss treatment of young people by the criminal justice system and debate whether or not that treatment is fair.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Bill of Rights: Debating the Amendments

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this Bill of Rights lesson, students research 12 possible amendments that were considered for the Constitution in 1789....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Debate in the United States over the League of Nations: League of Nations Basics

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students describe Woodrow Wilson's concepts for peace and the League of Nations and efforts to foster American support for it.

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