Pupils prepare for an participate in a debate. They watch instructional videos on how debates proceed. Pupils work in teams to research various topics, present their opinions on the issue, and respond to opposing viewpoints during a...

Here is a four-corner debate-style activity specifically geared to election year issues. Learners group themselves according to whether they strongly agree, agree, disagree, or strongly disagree with statements that relate to elections...

Learning to support your opinions, debate, build arguments, and effectively respect another's point of view are vital skills. Learners work through a series of topics to practice discussion engagement and verbal communication.

Secondary historians simulate events leading up to the American Revolution. They assume the roles of patriots, loyalists, or neutrals in a town meeting set prior to the Revolution. As Patriots and Loyalists make their arguments, neutrals...

Students research the laws and policies for school dress codes in their school and others in their state or area and explore what others say about these policies. After research is complete, students divide into two teams to develop...

Pupils research human shields, mostly European peace activists who stand against war. They guard civilian sites to prevent attack on schools, hospitals, etc. Student research is to include articles by those who support the war as well as...

Learners perform research on the Web and in books or newspapers the planning going on recently in Cleveland. They read the longshoremen's objections. Students choose sides and prepare your arguments, using visual aids and facts and figures.

Learners participate in activities to understand the feelings of the community about recycling.  In this recycling lesson, students look at opposing views on recycling.

Students are introduced to the European Union and begin to look inside the significance of the movement. They become familiar with the countries of the EU, gain insight into the concept of "free movement," and research the benefits and...

High schoolers engage in the democratic process and to learn how a bill become a law. Then they write a bill they would like as law in their classroom. Students also form committees that will review the list of bills to determine if they...

Students examine statements made by immigrants about immigration. They use the internet to research the truthfulness of these statements. They practice their decision-making skills.

Young scholars discuss the Constitution of the United States and its amendments, then apply this discussion by creating a "Who should Decide What?" list, based upon their ideas about whether controversial issues such as abortion and...

Students examine and discuss the concept of stage fright. They demonstrate positive debate techniques, constructively critique other speakers, and implement debate techniques for a practice debate.

Students study mythology and take a side to whether they agree or disagree with it. In this mythology lesson students complete a web handout and read from a chapter.

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.

High schoolers visit specified websites to research zoning information in Essex. They participate in a role play to present a zoning request to a city council. Groups of students prepare their side of the case and create their proposal...

Students 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...

High schoolers explore and analyze statements made during a televised presidential debate. In groups, they research and test the validity of the statements made by the presidential contenders. Students examine sources and draw...

Students deal with 'real world' questions in settings that resemble Congress or the courtroom. They identify a problem, find causes, research possible solutions, determine the best solution, and plan a means of implementing the best...

Students incorporate the five themes of geography to study the Yangtze river region. They analyze the possible effects of the three rivers gorge damn project on this area and role play a float the entire length of this dangerous river...

Students read The Great Kapok Tree by Lynne Cherry. After reading the story, they center on the controversy of destroying the rain forest or conserving it. Students have to make an informed decision about rain forest destruction.

Students examine the history and purposes of debate, and analyze the different debate formats. They rate the candidates' presentations in the debates, and apply debate strategies to their own debates.

Students build a 5 stamp collection based on the Abraham Lincoln unit theme. For this historical lesson plan, students discuss their collections within their group and build a new collection of 10 stamps. As a class, students debates the...

Students observe a documentary on "Escuela" to explore the life and education of migrant families. After discussing the related topics in the movie, students share their conclusions migrant farmworkers. Using the Internet and other...