Current Issues
Classroom activities to engage students in learning about and discussing issues in the news
A new book by economist Thomas Piketty has touched off a national discussion about economic inequality. This lesson uses the book as a jumping off point for two student readings on economic inequality in the United States and whether progressive taxation is part of the solution. The readings are...
Two student readings give an overview of conditions facing U.S. farmworkers, past efforts at farmworker organizing, and the current successes of the Coalition of Immokalee Workers. Questions for discussion follow each reading.
Students learn about the history of discrimination against LGBTQ people in the U.S., and about why June is Gay Pride Month. They explore gay rights movement history, learn about LGBTQ trailblazers, and consider the important role of allies.
This summer marks the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act. In this lesson, students explore the interplay of this legislation with the Civil Rights Movement, and consider what role everyday people play in making change.
This lesson consists of two student readings followed by discussion questions. The first reading reviews the history of the Freedom Summer project, which took place 50 years ago. The second reading discusses some of the challenges to voting rights that we face today.
Scientists are getting more specific about the pace of climate change, warning that we have very little time left to stop it. Activists are pursuing divestment movements and boycotts. In this activity, students read about these efforts and plan their own climate-saving action.
In two readings and discussion, students explore the benefits of eating in season and supporting local farmers and consider some of the criticisms of local food arguments, including the concept of "food miles."
For the 100 days following April 7, people around the globe will be marking the 20th anniversary of the genocide in Rwanda, which killed as many as one million people. Through a project called Kwibuka20 (Remember20), Rwandans have asked "the world to come together to support the survivors of the...
Should any one company be able to control the internet? Should all websites be treated equally, or should companies be able to pay to have their sites load faster? Two student readings and discussion questions explore the debates over net neutrality and the Comcast-Time Warner merger.
Eleanor Bader shares a lesson that helped her students connect immigrant history to today's activism.