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To Be Or Not To Be a State? That Is the Question
Eighth graders research Puerto Rico's culture, religion, language, government, etc. and identify differences and similarities with the United States. They participate in a debate about whether or not Puerto Rico should become a state.
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Why a Bill of Rights? What Impact Does it Have?
Students explore the Bill of Rights. In this Bill of Rights lesson, students compare the Federalist view of government to the Anti-Federalist view of government. Students consider the impact of the bill of rights as they take notes on...
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Over the Borderline?
Students study President Bush's proposal for immigration policy in the US and examine various perspectives on immigration that are currently being debated. They read and discuss an online New York Times article.
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The Lesson: Kenya
Students consider how recent historical events have impacted Kenya. In this global studies lesson, students visit selected websites to discover information about President Mwai Kibaki, Kenya's statistics, and Swahili. Students share...
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Human Rights in the Philippines
Students examine the meaning of human rights under the United Nations system, in the U.S., and the Philippines. They conduct research, discuss the concepts in groups, and conduct a debate on the human rights situation post Marcos...
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The Road to Democracy
Eleventh graders examine the road to the American Revolution. In this American Revolution lesson, 11th graders read Thomas Paine's works and identify the issues that the colonists had with the British government.
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When Marriage is a Crime
Students compare and contrast forced marriages with arranged marriages. For this current events lesson, students examine legislation regarding forced marriages and then debate the forced marriage law in Britain.
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Watch Yourself
Students consider the benefits of CCTV. For this current events lesson, students research the listed Web sites that include information about European efforts to curb antisocial behavior through surveillance. Students discuss the...
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The Other Drug War
Pupils develop critical thinking skills as they construct arguments for one of the three debates described in the lesson on "The Other Drug War."
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What Causes AIDS?
Twelfth graders in an ESL classroom use the internet to research the causes of AIDS. As a class, they discuss the topics mentioned in the various websites and determine if they are viable causes for the disease. They create a...
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Raids and Arrests of Enemy Aliens
Student read background summary information and debate how much control did the government require to keep the nation safe. They research how World War II restrictions on enemy lines were enforced and how it related to the U.S....
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A Songwriter Not Silenced - Lesson 2
Students discuss how a musician's message can influence society and government. They debate if political viewpoints should be publicized in music.
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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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Macroeconomic Policies
Students view a PowerPoint presentation on macroeconomic policies. They identify and define the main distinctions between the three key economic policies used by governments and debate their merits.
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Checks and Balances: Japanese-American Incarceration
Students examine the three branches of the Federal Government and their decision to place Japanese-Americans in camps during World War II. They analyze debates made by leaders during this time period.
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United Nations General Assembly
Students study China and the Chinese occupation of Tibet. They read position summaries/notes of China, Tibet and various foreign nations. Then they roleplay members of United Nations General Assembly and discuss and debate the topic.
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Chiapas, Where Is It and Why Should We Care? And What Is the EZLN?
Students research and discuss the Zapatista National Liberation Army of Chiapas, Mexico. They role play the involved parties in the conflict and attempt to debate a peaceful solution.
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Democracy and the Canadian Parliamentary Process
Twelfth graders organize in groups representing a dictatorship, a triumvirate, and a democracy, and defend their position on current topics facilitated by the teacher.
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The Rise and Fall of Joseph McCarthy
High schoolers analyze documents, cartoons, speeches and articles about Joseph McCarthy and his crusade against "Un-American" activities. They guide their research with a worksheet and participate in class discussions about their findings.
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Witch Hunt or Red Menace? Anticommunism in Postwar America, 1945-1954
Learners investigate the goals and methods of the House Un-American Activities Committee and offer an opinion regarding whether their investigation of Hollywood was justifiable.
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Perceptions of War
Tenth graders share perspectives on war with Iraq with students from various countries, and write position papers expressing specific stance on issues.
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Conceptual Analysis in Economics
Students practice critical thinking skills by defending their beliefs orally in a "hot seat". In addition, they communicate their feelings about an inssue in writing.
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Victory in the Pacific, 1943-1945
Students examine the military campaigns of the Pacific theater, tracing the path of the Allied offensives. The lesson presents what the Allies were trying to accomplish and why.
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AP Environmental Science-Food Fight
The content in this lesson is of a controversial nature. Please review to make sure it is suitable for your class. A video, The Meatrix is shown to the class, and then they discuss the emotionally-charged language that it uses. They are...