Sensitive Issues
In this high school level lesson, students share their reactions to bin Laden's death, read and discuss background information, and then consider a range of responses to the killing. Includes guidelines for discussing this sensitive issue.
Three student readings examine Bush's recent statements about torture, the legal advice he received, and excerpts from the ACLU's recent request that Bush be investigated by the Justice Department. Discussion questions and a writing and citizenship activity follow.
Three student readings consider a new study by Physicians for Human Rights of the Bush administration's use of health professionals to monitor "enhanced" interrogations, reactions to the issue, and historical examples of medical experimentation. Discussion questions and suggestions for other...
Two student readings describe the events leading to the young girl's suicide, the depth of the bullying problem and an approach to countering it. Following the readings is an outline for small group discussion in which students share their experiences with bullying and discuss what their school is...
Two student readings and a document-based question exercise focus on the Obama administration's recent decision to try Guantanamo suspects in civilian and military courts.
Four student readings explore the sensitive and controversial issues of race, interracial sex and interracial marriage--including the Jefferson-Hemings relationship and Michelle Barack's ancestry.
Educator Marieke van Woerkom provides timeless guidelines for opening up discussion on difficult issues--like the current economic recession--with your elementary and middle school students. Also included: links to resources on the economic crisis to inform the class discussion.
A student reading includes excerpts from recently released memos on 'interrogation techniques' approved by the Bush administration; a second reading quotes President Obama's statement on the issue. Discussion questions and writing and citizenship activities follow.
Three student readings offer a case study of what happened to one mentally ill prisoner; a summary of a critical report on America's prisons; and some additional facts and figures. Discussion questions, a writing assignment, subjects for further inquiry and suggestions for citizenship activities...
Three student readings open up new avenues for discussion and inquiry. A concluding activity proposes student inquiry into arguments for and against capital punishment through internet investigation and a "constructive controversy."