Current Issues
Classroom activities to engage students in learning about and discussing issues in the news
A reading and activities on the Iranian human rights activist and her beliefs about Islam, democracy, human rights, and U.S. foreign policy.
Rumors are circulating that the military draft may be reinstituted, creating anxiety for young people. This classroom activity stimulates classroom debate and helps students practice for social studies Regents exams. The activity includes a brief history of the draft followed by a "document-based...
Help your students prepare for the NY Regents Exam with these document-based question exercises modeled closely on the format used in the exam.
A decade ago the world largely turned its back as an estimated 800,000 people were murdered in Rwanda. Today, genocide is occurring in Sudan's western region of Darfur. Here, student readings, questions for discussion and suggestions for student action.
Students can practice the art using today's news.
The outbreak of war between Israel and Hezbollah means disaster for civilians. Four student readings consider civilian losses now and historically.
Why do presidents go to war? Students read about how five U.S. presidents justified wars with Mexico, Spain, Vietnam, Grenada and Iraq, then consider the merits of their arguments
A leaked report from a British cabinet meeting raises grave questions about how and why the Iraq War was launched. A student reading includes quotes from the leaked document, from the Bush administration, and from Congress.