Curated OER
Either/Or Speech
Have your high schoolers practice their public speaking skills by writing an either/or speech. Individually, they complete an outline on what they want to discuss and give their speech to the class. To end the activity, they complete a...
Curated OER
To Declare Independence or Not??
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...
Curated OER
The Immigration Debate: A Lesson from Viva La Causa
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...
Curated OER
Media Literacy Discussion Guide
Students examine and analyze visual media and its messages critically. They determine whether specific media messages inform, entertain, or persuade and what factors influence the media. Using primary sources, they participate in peer...
Brown University
The Candidates and Their Values: Election 2016
Voting for the next president of the United States is about finding the candidate who most closely aligns with your own values and sense of democracy. High schoolers become acquainted with the candidates from the 2016 election with a...
Breaking News English
The World Is 0.28% More Peaceful Than a Year Ago
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...
Curated OER
Conversation Lesson: First World Obligation
Young scholars engage in a debate about the obligation each country has to help other countries in need in order to help build their conversation skills. The format of the debate is imbedded in this lesson plan.
Curated OER
How Does School Work?
Students identify and interpret what their school is like and how it works. They watch animations and slideshows on the government website. Students also develop thinking skills by examining the way voting and democracy works through...
Curated OER
How To Argue Without Cheating
For this debate worksheet, students read and learn about the fine points of debate and persuasion. The vocabulary presented and the ideas are quite advanced; premise, conclusion, syllogism, ad homineum, and other difficult terms.
Smarter Balanced
Intellectual Property
To prepare for a study of intellectual property rights, (or an assessment) introduce your learners to the legal concepts and key vocabulary associated with the debate. After defining intellectual property, copyright, fair use, and...
Curated OER
Debates in Human Genetics
Students examine case studies involving human genetics. They research the case and determine possible problems to the issue. Students write essays supporting their opinion. They debate the ethical issues.
Curated OER
Ch'in (Qin) Dynasty Debate on Censorship
Sixth graders learn team building, fair play, keeping an open mind towards others' opinions, U.S. government policies, and a better understanding of the meaning of censorship as they debate the merits of censorship.
Curated OER
Candidate Debate; Making Informed Voting Decisions
Students study the concept of what it means to be an informed voter who makes conscientious voting decisions based on significant information. In this making informed voting decisions lesson plan, students are introduces...
ProCon
Video Games and Violence
Is screen time dangerous time? Scholars take a close look at the facts surrounding video games and violence. Pros give evidence connecting violence to video games while cons suggest there is no relationship.
Curated OER
Stating Your Case: Writing Thesis Statements Effectively
As a writer, if you have a weak introductory paragraph or thesis statement, you might lose your audience! Have your middle and high schoolers practice writing introductory paragraphs that include clear thesis statements in response to...
Curated OER
Running (Check) Mate
Students consider qualities that the public seeks in a vice president, then analyze statements made by the vice presidential candidates and multimedia commentary on the debate by a Times reporter. For homework.
Curated OER
Marine Protected Areas
Students role play different stakeholders perspective on the debate about Channel Islands. In this marine science lesson, students identify different types of Marine Protected Areas. They research about their stakeholder's point of view...
Curated OER
English and Literacy: Children's Rights - Expanded Paragraphs
Learners write expanded paragraphs about children's rights. In this writing and children's rights lesson, students listen to Caroline Castle's, For Every Child, noting the points about children's rights on each page. They discuss each of...
Curated OER
Gay, Lesbian Speakers: Teaching Tolerance To Intolerant
High schoolers research what has happened in other high schools with gay or lesbian speakers. They survey students about what they believe the issues are in school.High schoolers present a proposal for a speaker on this topic to the...
Curated OER
Pharmaceuticals and Treatments
Students perform an experiment involving reverse transcriptase-polymerized chain reaction HIV replication to better examine the biotechnology used by scientists in pharmaceutical research of infections diseases like HIV. Students examine...
Curated OER
The Price of Power
Explore the current political debate over regulating power plant emissions. Critical thinkers research, formulate, and present arguments regarding selective catalytic reduction systems for coal-burning plants.
Curated OER
A Test of Faith
Secondary schoolers investigate the debate surrounding the current sexual abuse crisis in the Catholic Church with this New York Times instructional activity. Through discussions and written reflection, they explore their own thoughts...
Curated OER
Superhero Science
Young scientist explore the various positions in the debate on stem cell research and then discuss these perspectives before formulating their own positions. They must research the topic and beliefs that others have. They will also look...
Curated OER
Cloning Around
Review concepts of cloning and genetic engineering and participate in a round-table discussion based on the ethics and potential of cloning with your class. Each learner then writes a formal essay on the topic, stemming from the debate.