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Curated OER

True Admissions

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine affirmative action and study the diversity of their own classrooms and communities, then of a particular college or university. They write essays examining how colleges should increase the diversity of their student bodies.
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Love It or Leave It?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students identify flags by country, then research the symbolism and history of those flags in preparation for writing and delivering oral presentations. For homework, they write essays reflecting on the relationship between flags,...
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Whose God?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate religious freedom in the U.S. They watch and discuss a Bill Moyers NOW video, take a Freedom of Religion quiz, write an essay, and participate in a mock trial and debate.
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New Year's Resolutions

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students write about New Year's Resolutions made about personal improvement, family and friends, and school and the outside world. They write a first draft and a final draft of a five-paragraph essay about their resolutions.
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Maven Makeover?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students reflect on the role of prisons and discuss how they believe sentencing should be handed down. After reading an article, they discover the experiences Martha Stewart went through while in prison. In groups, they share their...
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The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Dou

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders explore the concept that education is related to freedom. In this human rights lesson, 9th graders read The Narrative of Frederick Douglass. Students dialogue about their readings and education as it relates to human...
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Argumentation and Logic

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Students recognize inductive and deductive reasoning and analyze common fallacies in critical thinking.  For this argumentation and logic lesson, students use role playing activities and specific instances of inductive and deductive...
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The Rise of U.S. Business and Industry

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders examine the industrialization of post-Reconstruction America. In this 20th century American history lesson, 11th graders listen to a lecture about the industrial age and then conduct their own research to determine the...
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Looking at Life through the Creation of Personal Metaphors

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students focus on the creation of personal metaphors, which are first illustrated in pictures and caricatures and then extended to descriptive/analytical paragraphs. They teach the lesson to others using their own personal metaphors as...
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Latino Folklore and Culture: Stories of Family, Traditions of Pride

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students define the terms fable and folktale. They write a fable to illustrate a Latino proverb. Students are explained that a folktale is a story passed down through the oral tradition of a particular culture. A fable is a type of...
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African Americans in Aviation: The 1940s- A Decade of Change

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students investigate African Americans in aviation. In this primary resources lesson, students examine primary resources to research the history of African American in aviation. Students answer two research questions and write an essay...
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"Split" Character Studies in Crime and Punishment

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students write an essay evaluating split character traits on major characters in Dostoevsky's novel Crime and Punishment. In this lesson students are guided through discussion questions, group assignments, and vocabulary work. The lesson...
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Past, Present, and Future: Career Exploration and Planning

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders write an autobiography about their future.  In this career education lesson plan, 10th graders write about the future based on their career goals. Students troubleshoot possible obstacles to fulfilling a...
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Somewhere Under the Rainbow--The Romantic Period in British Literature

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Learners create 2-3 poems, a children's story, or a two or three dimensional piece of art.  In this Romantic Period lesson, students discuss the historical background of the Romantic Period and relevant literary terms. ...
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Closing the Gaps

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine the defining characteristics of their own generation. They apply their analysis to learning about previous generations, and synthesize their learning by creating improvisational skits and writing creative essays.
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Has Peace Finally Settled in the Middle East?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students evaluate the changes made in the Palestine National Council charter and their potential impact on the future of Israeli-Palestinian relations. They write a brief essay focusing on an article from an Israeli or Palestinian...
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The Ugly Truth about Hate

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students investigate examples of hate crimes and their causes by participating in a round-table discussion. They also write a personal essay describing their personal views on the subject and describing a plan for putting their views...
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Japanese-American Internment during World War II

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students write an in-class essay on whether they agree/disagree with Lippmann's article concerning Japanese-American internment
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It's A Dog-Eat-Dog World

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine the dangers of owning and breeding aggressive dogs. They debate whether aggressive dogs should be kept as pets. They write an essay from their point of view about aggressive dogs as pets.
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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...
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Crime Watch

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students analyze the recent rise of homicides in some American cities, create and share posters, and write reflective essays in the form of letters to community leaders.
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Law School vs. School Laws

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students discuss the military's "Don't ask, don't tell" policy regarding sexual orientation and restage the debate leading up to the recent decision in Rumsfeld v. FAIR. They write essays evaluating the merits of the decision.
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Henry Ford: A Cultural Icon

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Young scholars conduct research online for information about Henry Ford and his assembly line, examine economic, technological, and social changes that resulted from Ford's innovation, and use notes and resources to write five paragraph...
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Dream Big

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students discuss the success of privately built and flown space crafts by reading and discussing a news article. They develop adventure trip proposals to present to Sir Richard Branson. Students write essays reflecting on the importance...