Current Issues
Classroom activities to engage students in learning about and discussing issues in the news
Students consider anti-Semitism through reading, discussing, and writing about a recent controversial incident at UCLA.
Students learn about and discuss the US Department of Justice's report on the Ferguson Police Department and consider reforms that would address the injustices described in the report.
In this brief activity, students explore a key phrase in the women's movement during the 1960s and 70s.
This 10-15-minute activity touches on key arguments for and against the XL Pipeline proposal President Obama just vetoed.
In three readings and discussion, students examine President Obama's proposal for free community college, weigh arguments for and against it, learn about the historical significance of community colleges, and consider the question, "Should all higher education be free?"
The nation's largest private employer just raised its wages. This short activity has students consider the significance of Walmart's move and what motivated it.
This brief activity focuses on the African American girl who refused to give up her seat on the bus, months before Rosa Parks touched off the 1955 Montgomery Bus Boycott. Please also see the segment about Colvin in this Teachable Moment lesson.
A brief activity on the movement to get colleges, cities, churches and other entities to divest from fossil fuels, pegged to Global Divestment Day on Feb. 13-14, 2015.
This brief activity kicks off Black History Month by examining King's letter from a Birmingham jail in light of current events.
A short activity has students consider President Obama's proposal for free community college.