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Genetics
Students investigate public policy regarding genetic research and have formed an educated opinion on what they believe the government role should be.
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Is that a Fact? Reading the Newspaper
Fourth graders are given a newspaper article. They predict the content based on the title, read and chart fact and opinion statements, and conclude by summarizing the article. They utilize a worksheet imbedded in this plan to guide their...
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The Great Kapok Tree Debate
Learners participate in a read aloud of the story, "The Great Kapok Tree" in which a logger decides not to cut down a tree. In small groups, they discuss and write about their opinion on the logger's decision. Each group then presents...
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Seeking Civil Rights
Learners explore the impact of the Plessy v. Ferguson case. For this social justice lesson, students examine the case, Jim Crow laws, and non-violent forms of protest. Learners write essays to persuade the government regarding unjust laws.
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Opposites
Students choose a category to discuss and write down the name of an activity that represents the various characteristics. They record their responses on a class sheet and discuss how it feels when someone disagrees with them. They...
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H.D. Thoreau's Philosophy of Government
Students read an essay by H.D. Thoreau as analysis of his philosophy on government. In this Thoreau analysis lesson, students work in groups to paraphrase two of Thoreau's criteria for his beliefs about government. Students write a...
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Dred Scott and the Constitution
Students investigate the outcome of the Dred Scott case. In this human rights lesson, students read Justice Taney's decision about property rights and citizenship. Students write essays about the outcome of the case and President...
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Total English Upper Intermediate: Hard or Hardly
For this hard or hardly worksheet, students practice their grammar skills as they respond to 5 fill in the blank questions. Students then take a survey using the 5 questions listed and write a follow-up report.
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The Violence of Ancient Rome
Students compare the violence in ancient Rome and the violence in American society today. They research and write an essay that requires comparison and contrast techniques as well as supporting personal opinions about violence in our...
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Debating the Over-the-Counter Sale of the "Morning After" Pill
Young scholars examine the controversy at the F.D.A over Plan B. They read an article, answer discussion questions, conduct research, role-play a panel of experts at a mock conference, and write a letter to the editor their own opinion...
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Lessons in Learning
Learners share their opinions about public education by responding to one-question interviews. After reading an article, they discover new recommendations for the No Child Left Behind Act. They prepare a three-part reader response to...
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Inherit the Wind
Students explore the theory of evolution and read the play Inherit The Wind and a series of articles and essays about the famous Scopes trial that centered around the right to teach evolution. They incorporate technology as they research...
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Creating a Digital Newspaper
Students create a digital newspaper. In this digital newspaper instructional activity, students review the sections of a newspaper and brainstorm ideas for their paper. Students complete a schools news report, student interview, opinion...
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Civil War
Young scholars consider what it was like for black regiments during the Civil War. In this American Civil War lesson, students view segments of "Glory," and "The Descendants of the 29th Regiment." Young scholars discuss the conditions of...
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Evolution: The Great Debate
Students discover how research and questioning are things that must be done in order to form a valid opinion. In this critical thinking lesson plan students answer questions and provide evidence to support their argument.
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Making the Case for Progressive Constitutional Changes in Connecticut
Students take a closer look at Constitutional Amendments. In this Progressive Era lesson, students discover how the amendment process works and then examine 4 amendments proposed during the era in Connecticut. Students research primary...
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Express Yourself
Young scholars share opinions about the way students behave. They write letters to the editor responding to an article.
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Listening To A Guest Speaker
Students participate in a lesson of listening to a guest speaker. They pay attention to the information and are active in taking notes, generating follow up questions, and summarizing the presentation. Students practice clear speaking...
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Religion: Great Schism Debate
Students examine the Great Schism in the Roman Catholic Church and research the positions of the three popes. The three groups research their popes' positions and then hold a debate. Students write position papers about the Great Schism.
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Lady of the Sky Amelia Earhart
Eighth graders explore the contributions of Amelia Earhart. In this Amelia Earhart lesson, 8th graders research Internet and print sources to find information about the aviation feats of Amelia Earhart. Students write...
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Beyond the Story: A Dickens of a Party
Seventh graders collaboratively research the life and times of Charles Dickens as it relates to a character from the story, and write and present a first-person character analysis.
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What Do People Know About Radon?
Students read the fictitious newspaper article entitled, "Levels of Radon in Jersey Town Exceed Limits." This helps them get a basic vocabulary started for the terms and concepts related to radon. In groups, they identify words that they...
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Religion: Eastern Schism Debgate
Students, debate the Eastern Schism in church history. They divide into four groups as Christians debate iconoclasts and the open debates the patriarch. Students debate the use of icons in religion and who has supreme authority over...
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Legal Aspects Of Fetal Tissue Transportation
Students investigate the current legal status of fetal tissue transplantation. Students engage in a role play discussion of a specific case study. Students explore the ethical controversies surrounding this procedure. Students formulate...