Current Issues
Classroom activities to engage students in learning about and discussing issues in the news
This activity aims to help students create a classroom and school community that is safe, welcoming and supportive, despite some turmoil in the outside world.
Students untangle facts and myths about Thanksgiving through reading, discussion, and roleplaying through tweets.
In this activity, students share their feelings about the election, have a listening circle, and then participate in a community-building activity.
Students consider the history of "dog-whistle" politics and whether the current campaign season marks a break from the past practice by making racial references overt.
This activity has students step into the shoes of voters whose views they may not agree with - and roleplay a dialogue.
Students consider how the Republican and Democratic Parties have evolved over time — and whether a new 'realignment' is happening today.
After a quick quiz, students learn about the candidates' tax proposals and discuss our nation's complex and contentious tax policies.
Updated: The presidential debate between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton on October 9, 2016, raised some important but difficult issues about sexism and sexual assault. In this activity, students learn about and discuss the controversy, hear and discuss Michelle Obama's comments about it, share...
Using tweets, video and a poster, students review the history of the Black Lives Matter movement, consider criticisms of it, and examine the movement's policy goals.
Are the candidates telling the truth? Students learn tips for fact-checking and research campaign issues they're most interested in.