This paper presents a set of interdisciplinary lessons for teaching about the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (Alaska). Lessons include a petroleum product treasure hunt, an examination of life without petroleum, the development of a wildlife poster, an exploration of the tundra ecosystem and the plants and animals that live there, identification…

Describes how seminar work can be structured to help students develop skills of critical thinking and expression when discussing controversial issues in their chosen subject. Particular emphasis is given to methods of organizing instructional materials and appropriate roles for seminar leaders. The debate surrounding the existence of a prehistoric…

This social studies unit of study will help high school students learn about the geography of South Africa. Such a geographic background is necessary if students are to learn about apartheid, South Africa's system of racial domination. (RM)

This seventh-grade lesson plan asks students (working in teams) to create a multimedia advertising campaign on a current controversial issue. The lesson plan states that team members are not to apply any dialogue (either written or verbal) to any part of their presentation so that they may emulate the non-verbal, image only process that Martin…

Many people feel that the purpose of an education is to prepare students for life outside of school. To help reach this desire it has been suggested that students be allowed to experience and confront issues that they will experience later in their lives. This book confronts students with major issues in science that in many instances have created…

Outlines a lesson in which students learn how the constitutional protection of religious freedom has been applied to the Amish. Includes readings from which students can analyze three seemingly contradictory decisions related to the Amish and attempt to understand judicial interpretation. Asks students to apply the concept of judicial…

Decalogue in Greek means ten words. Some scholars think that the Decalogue began as a list of very short moral sayings that existed long before the Bible time of Moses. This lesson presents two understandings of the Decalogue. A biblical view is followed by a scholarly view. Students read through Decalogue versions that are found in Exodus…

Seventeen student worksheets form a secondary school unit which focuses on the challenge of shared usage of water resources. Pressure currently exists for a more balanced approach in which all legitimate interests in a water source are served. The worksheets include readings which focus on enough water for all, the water cycle (including a…

These action oriented activity cards dealing with conflict situations are for use with secondary students. The cards are intended to supplement any course dealing with conflict, including U.S. history, sociology, English, literature, economics, area studies, or political science. The cards are organized by color into certain broad categories which…

Designed as supplementary reading in American government or social studies courses, this compilation of articles is intended to help students gain a better understanding of the judiciary's role in the Illinois legal system. The first of three sections contains articles about judges and the court system. The second section examines the criminal…

Provides the text of a newspaper account on drug abuse in a North Philadelphia Puerto Rican community. Focuses on the effect this illegal activity has on the lives of neighborhood residents. (LS)

Statements taken from the audiotape "South Africa: The Other Side of the Story" are used to stimulate students' critical thinking about the South African apartheid government. The lesson plan includes analyses of the statements as a teacher resource. (GEA)

Designed as a supplementary resource for any classroom that incorporates global education, this workbook describes the issues and outcomes of 12 famous historical court cases. The court cases familiarize students with recurring controversial social issues. Each reading section begins with a brief outline of the time period and background of each…

Described are activities that lead to values clarification. Issues such as dissection, bioengineering, birth control, medical resources, and death are discussed. Included is a student questionnaire on the subject of dissection and the use of animals in laboratories. (KR)

The "hot potato technique" (HPT) is described as an effective way to engage high school English-language students in class discussions. HPT involves using newspapers and magazines to stimulate participation. (LB)