Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Weather Anomalies

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders participate in a simulation of a select scientific team from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Lesson Plan
1
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Chicago Botanic Garden

Faces of Climate Change

For Teachers 7th - 9th Standards
You know global warming is real when your squirrel feeder is full of popped corn instead of kernels! Activity two in a series of five allows learners to explore climate change through the eyes of another. After briefly analyzing their...
Activity
Shmoop

ELA.CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.11-12.2

For Teachers 11th - 12th Standards
One way to get your class to evaluate and synthesize multiple multimedia sources is through a research project. The idea here is that class members will watch videos and listen to scientific debates in order to create a casebook about...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

If the World Was a Village...Examining Ethnocentrism

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders examine their own perceptions of world's people, compare those perceptions to real demographic data, provide definition and understanding of term "ethnocentrism," and examine their own ethnocentrism based on comparison of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bias in Journalism

For Teachers 6th - 7th
Students evaluate the credibility and reliability of various sources. Students survey the coverage of a particular event in different newspapers, select a current event and compare different perspectives. They write an article...
Lesson Plan
1
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Chicago Botanic Garden

Climate Change Impacts on Ecosystem Services

For Students 7th - 9th Standards
The fourth activity in a series of five has classes participate in a jigsaw to learn about global impacts of climate change and then share their new information with a home group. Groups then research impacts of climate change (droughts,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Genetic Research and Liberties

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars examine civil liberties issues in relation to genetic research, and discuss how genetic medical information may be used. They present personal viewpoints about genetic research as it relates to civil liberties
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Difficult Decisions: The Sakinaw Sockeye Case Study

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders examine Sakinaw Sockeye as species at risk, participate in role playing exercise to consider different perspectives of various interest groups, and try to come to consensus on how to deal with dwindling Sakinaw sockeye...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

President Woodrow Wilson's Fourteen Points

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders evaluate President Woodrow Wilson's principle of self-determination and its effects today. In groups, they research how the Great Powers dealt with Korea at the Paris Peace Conference and compare their perspectives with...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Stereotypes: More Than Meets the Eye

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students explore the concept of stereotyping. They observe images and media that portray the Middle East and its inhabitants. Students make determinations about the impact of the images on their perceptions. They consider ways to...
Lesson Plan
Polar Trec

How Much Data is Enough?

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
The next time you read a magazine or watch the news, make note of how many graphs you see because they are everywhere! Here, scholars collect, enter, and graph data using computers. The graphs are then analyzed to aid in discussion of...
Lesson Plan
National History Day

Why Did the United States Enter World War I in 1917?

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
World War I was the first major conflict on a global scale. Using primary documents, learners determine why the United States chose to enter World War I when it did. After analytical writing and group research, the causes of America's...
Writing
Breaking News English

The World Is 0.28% More Peaceful Than a Year Ago

For Students 6th - 12th
Some days, the world seems like it is becoming darker, but research suggests that the world might actually be becoming a more peaceful place. An informational reading passage accompanied by a series of activities builds English language...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Global Water Crisis

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Young scholars research a given nation and complete an activity chart for that country.   In this water crisis lesson students work in groups to organize and present the information for their given country. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"Water is Life" Global Water Awareness

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Young scholars examine and calculate the percentage of potable water remaining on the earth. In this ecology and geography lesson, students brainstorm the main factors affecting water distribution. Young scholars use mathematical problem...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

2.0 "Water Is Life" Global Water Awareness Mini-Unit (Grades3-5)

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Young scholars study the amount of potable water on the Earth. In this water activity, students examine the amount of potable water as compared to all the water on the Earth. They discuss why many parts of the world do not have access to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Making Media for Democratic Citizenship

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students examine global development issues. In this media awareness lesson, students analyze current event issues and create video podcasts based on their research.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Environment: How'd That Pollution Get There?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine how global wind and water patterns aid in the spread of worldwide pollution. In groups, they read articles about the domino effect of pollution and create posters displaying its journey. On blank world maps, students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Alleviating Poverty

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students explore the prevalence of poverty. In this global studies lesson, students participate in a budgeting simulation. Students also research world poverty statistics and discuss the social issue....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Weekly Current Events

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine current events every week. Using the internet, they complete searches about specific events. In groups, they gather information to share with the class and discuss any opposing viewpoints.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Glacial Change

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students research the ways in which scientists study glaciers and glacial change. They interpret real time data and calculate the estimated global sea level rise potential. A very good lesson to illustrate global warming.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earth Day

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students examine evidence on Global Warming and then analyze the impact of their school community on the environment and propose ways to lessen our impact on the environment. They have access to a total of six articles for their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dead Zones: Why Are the Waters Dying?

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
Students investigate the effects of pollution on marine ecosystems. They read and discuss an article, identify the effects of pollution on marine life, conduct research on local nutrient pollution, and conduct local water quality studies.
Lesson Plan
BBC

Local Democracy

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Expanding our learners' understanding of government at a local level is a great way to build an understanding of government at a global level. Start the understanding by using any of these fun teaching ideas. Learners engage in several...