Current Issues
Classroom activities to engage students in learning about and discussing issues in the news
Students read and discuss two very different views on the role of government and individuals; work in groups to complete a cut-and-paste activity of those views; and participate in an Opinion Continuum activity to consider and discuss their own views.
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.
Two student readings focus on the reasons for rising gas prices as well as the true social and environmental costs of oil, with discussion questions and an internet inquiry.
High school students consider concepts of "environmental racism" and "environmental (in)justice" and view and discuss an online clip about the dumping of electronics. Homework assignments suggest further study of this issue and the Gulf Spill anniversary.
Elementary students consider how much water we consume and what impact it has by hearing some facts and discussing the story of one girl's water consumption.
Students listen to a radio segment about events in Libya and the challenges of reporting from that country; consider events in Libya through a timeline and Twitter messages; and discuss their view of unfolding events in the Middle East.
Students think about women they admire, learn about African leader Maathai, and discuss the Peter Gabriel song Shaking the Tree.
Students consider a song, a video interview, and readings in exploring the events unfolding in the Middle East & North Africa.
After an introductory reading about the debate now raging in Washington, students try their hand at balancing a projected 2015 budget themselves.
Students learn about the youth-led movement and consider what it takes to act assertively to organize for change. They view and discuss a video relating Martin Luther King Jr.'s statements to events in Egypt.