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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Controversial Issues

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Hot topics are often engaging and can get heated. High School young scholars engage in an academic discussion were they must learn to engage with a person holding a different view than their own. They practice discussing different...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Debating Controversial Issues: Integrating Science and Current Events

For Teachers 9th - 12th
In order to give young scientists experience with critical thinking skills, introduce them to a current controversy and prepare them to debate. Choose a topic, such as genetically modified organisms, and assign groups to represent...
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Activity
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Schoolwires

12th Grade Expository Reading and Writing Research Project

For Teachers 11th - 12th
The beauty in this resource is the lengthy list of highly charged, controversial-issue research topics. Categories include issues of race, politics, law, environment, education, athletics, gender, and technology. After selecting a topic,...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Teaching Controversial Science Issues Through Law Related Education

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Discuss the differences in dialogue and debate when considering a controversial topic. Your class can work in small groups to complete a guided discussion of this controversial topic and then participate in a simulation of the Scopes...
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Lesson Plan
National Constitution Center

Creating Your Own Town Hall Poster

For Students 8th - 12th Standards
Middle and high schoolers are walking into a world rife with strong political viewpoints and vocal opinions. Help to prepare them for controversial discussions with a lesson in which they choose, research, and learn more about a...
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Unit Plan
C3 Teachers

Reparations: Why Are Reparations Controversial?

For Teachers 8th
To understand why the topic of reparations is controversial, young scholars gather background information by reading articles, watching videos, and examining cases where reparations were made. Learners consider the lasting repercussions...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Structured Academic Controversy (SAC) in the History Classroom

For Teachers 8th - 12th
SAC is a specific approach to discussing history and controversial issues. Rather than adhering to an either/or debate-style paradigm, it fosters speaking and constructivist listening to enable learners to build consensus through...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Reading Club: Sex Ed

For Teachers 11th - 12th
If you teach health, sociology, ethics, or a class that addresses controversial issues, this resource related to schools' sex education programs may be useful. The New York Times' Learning Network provides a lengthy article on a unique...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Four-Corners Debate

For Students 5th - 8th
Use this two page handout to establish the rules for class debate. The four-corners method of debate is one that provides a safe way for learners to engage in a discussion or debate over potentially heated or controversial topics. The...
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Unit Plan
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University of Delaware

Constructing Text-Based Arguments About Social Issues

For Teachers 8th Standards
Eighth graders take a stand on a variety of controversial topics with a lesson on argumentative writing. As they view an informative presentation and work with collaborative groups, they decide which side of each argument they want to...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Teaching Controversial Science Issues Through Law Related Education

For Teachers 7th - 9th
A set of lessons help aspiring scientists practice the critical thinking skills required for facing controversial issues such as evolution. As a group, they discuss what controversy consists of. They compare and constrast the concepts of...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Looking for Trouble - Using the Internet to Research Structured Controversy

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Discuss controversial issues with your charges. More importantly, discuss how you have to research both sides of a controversy before taking a stance. In groups, middle schoolers research the controversial issue of dog sled racing. They...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Topical Discussions

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Engaging in topical discussions can be a great way to teach kids how to build strong arguments and support their opinions with concrete evidence. High schoolers choose a controversial topic, build an argument for or against that topic,...
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Lesson Plan
Newseum

Am I Being Fair?

For Teachers 7th - Higher Ed Standards
Young journalists use four strategies from an "Am I Being Fair?" tip sheet to check for and counter personal biases about a topic. Scholars apply the strategies to an article about the best pizza as guided practice. Participants then...
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Lesson Plan
Anti-Defamation League

Should Washington's NFL Team Change Their Name?

For Teachers 8th - 12th Standards
"What's in a name?" Is it irrelevant, as Juliet suggests in Shakespeare's play, or is nomenclature deeply significant? Young scholars weigh in on the debate by examining the controversy over the NFL's Washington, D.C. Redskins. Groups...
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Handout
ProCon

Net Neutrality

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
Should net neutrality be restored? Scholars prepare for a class debate on the topic using the included website. After reading a brief introduction to the issue, they review the main pros and cons in an attempt to arrive at an informed...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Topical Discussions

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students share their opinions on controversial topics. They list their arguments and give reasons for thier position. A paper is written to reflect their views.
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Lesson Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Controversial Issues in Practice

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Wow! This resource provides three related lessons on the First Amendment that challenge US government young scholars to explore their personal opinion on the separation of church and state. Each lesson can be adjusted in length, but is...
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Handout
Curated OER

ACLU

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
Is the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) good for America? The informative website is a one-stop shop for ACLU debate resources. Scholars read about the topics surrounding the issue, including free speech, national security, and...
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Handout
ProCon

Israeli - Palestinian Conflict

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
Many people think the best solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a two-state solution. After reviewing the available resources, scholars determine whether they agree with that approach. They analyze graphs and charts about...
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Lesson Plan
American Chemical Society

Hosting a Chemistry Debate

For Teachers 9th - 12th
A debate is a forum for discussing controversial topics and environmental chemistry definitely fits that category. The lesson provides everything necessary to run a mini debate tournament. Use the suggested topics or come up with some as...
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PPT
Curated OER

Wild Horses

For Teachers 9th - 12th
What a terrific resource! This presentation focuses on wild horses and what should be done about them. While the questions found in the presentation focus on grammar and comprehension, this set of slides could do so much more. Learners...
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Handout
Curated OER

Abortion

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
Abortion has remained a highly controversial issue ever since the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision. Using the website, learners sift through all the information they need to participate in a debate about the topic. They learn about the...
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Handout
Curated OER

Animal Testing

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
Animal testing: cruel and inhumane, or innovative and life-saving? Scholars explore the topic and form their own opinions with help from the highly informative website. Pupils read a comprehensive overview of the topic, including...

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