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Censorship in the Classroom: Understanding Controversial Issues
Students examine propaganda and media bias and explore a variety of banned and challenged books. Following this, students choose a side of the censorship issue and support their position by developing an ad campaign about the banned book...
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The Art of Adaptation
Students examine and discuss animal adaptation. They read an article about snakes, conduct research on ways animals adapt, develop a diagram, and write a short story written from the perspective of the animal they researched.
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Making the Personal Political
Students identify controversial topics on which they have strong opinions and model their own persuasive opinion pieces after the featured article. They compose persuasive essays on controversial issues that "hit home" for them.
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Protesting Corporate Globalization
Students explore the different ways that corporate globalization affects society. They research the World Trade Organization, International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, and compare and contrast differing views on the role and impact...
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Land Marked
Students explore proposed plans for land redistribution in Zimbabwe. They research the history of European colonization in Zimbabwe, focusing on the roles and views of various groups within the country. Based on these perspectives, s
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Life and Death Decisions
Learners defend contrasting perspectives concerning the purpose of medicine and the issues surrounding euthanasia.
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By Any Other Name
Students examine the differences between the definitions of race and ethnicity defined by the United States government. After reading an article, they discuss the possiblity of the elimination of some races from the 2010 census. They...
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Comparing the Impact of Multiple Uses
Students study multiple land uses and their effects on one another. They assess multiple land uses in National Forests and Grasslands and evaluate the effects of each use on all other uses. They develop a comprehensive list of human...
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Heroes Or Role Models?
Students recognize that "heroes" and "role models" are not synonymous terms. By analyzing heroes of other cultures and periods, they determine that many heroic figures, mythic or historical, rather than providing a model of a societal...
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Atmospheric Pressures
Students research past, present and proposed climate change policies. They develop timelines based on different predictions of climate change effects and assess the likelihood of each timeline playing out in reality.
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The Use of a Piece of Land
Young scholars study positive and negative aspects of land use laws and zoning ordinances. They participate in a land use planning exercise using a role play activity.
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Reading Comprehension: Is Pluto a Planet?
In this reading comprehension learning exercise, students read a passage about Pluto, then complete a set of 5 multiple choice questions. An answer key is included as well as a reference web site for additional activities.
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This Land Is My Land
Students explore their impressions of African history, focusing on black/white relations. They examine the impact of the recent election on Zimbabwean politics by reading and discussing the article "Vote in Zimbabwe Shows Opposition...
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Buying Time
Students explore the financial and political relationship between the Palestinian Authority and Middle Eastern countries.
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Breaking Barriers In Philippi
Students analyze and discuss Acts 16 and the book of Philippians from the Holy Bible. In this Philippians activity, students discuss the setting and characters and write a journal personalizing the message. Students...
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Wherefore Art Thou, Art?
Students analyze various perspectives on the controversial "Sensation: Young British Artists From the Saatchi Collection" art exhibit on display at the Brooklyn Museum of Art.
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Progressivism: What's the Problem?
Eighth graders interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this Progressive Era lesson, students examine the goals and accomplishments of the Populist Party.
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Who Invented Religion?
Students explore religious controversies with the release of the film "The Passion of the Christ." In this current events lesson, students discuss religious beliefs and the place for violence in religious and historical films.
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Showtime in the House of Commons Part I
Students watch a video and brainstorm, focusing on the rules of Question Period in a Parliamentary System.
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American Perceptions of the Wilderness
Students examine various American perspectives about the wilderness over time. In small groups they read and analyze writings by William Bradford and Frederick Law Olmsted, summarize the major points of each author, and write an essay.
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Popular Sovereignty and the Lecompton Constitution
Middle schoolers review the Kansas-Nebraska Act and the development of the Kansas territory Constitution. They complete a cause and effect worksheet and discuss the history of the Lecompton Constitution.
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Briefing Book
Learners prepare a briefing book highlighting important twentieth century events in Europe. The book lists and explains the major events of the twentieth century that caused separation and unification in Europe.
Other
Urban Debate Leagues: Learn to Debate
Wide, broad site offering a wealth of resources for beginning debaters. Includes links to videos (requiring RealPlayer). There is a link to the basics of argumentation as well.