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NewsHour Extra Lesson Plan: Checks and Balances in Supreme Court Nominations - PBS
Grades
7 to 12
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This site is affiliated with the PBS NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, and presents a lesson plan focused on Supreme Court nominations and the ongoing balance of power in the US ...more
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This site is affiliated with the PBS NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, and presents a lesson plan focused on Supreme Court nominations and the ongoing balance of power in the US government. There are excellent discussion guides, a link to streaming video from the NewsHour, with an accompanying transcript that can be distributed, and a PDF version of a Chicago Tribune article on the issue. There is a nice vocabulary list. There is a good handout on the process of nominating a Supreme Court judge and a worksheet that accompanies it.
In the Classroom
There is a really nice "balance of powers" exercise that goes way beyond a simple discussion of the Supreme Court. Students look at all three branches of government and determine which branch has power in a variety of contemporary situations. This lesson plan is good as a stand-alone, but also provides a lot of jumping off places for further discussion and adaptation. Use a projector, as the plan suggests, to share the short video clips, available in several formats.
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World News in Special English - VOA
Grades
4 to 8
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VOA offers audio and written radio scripts of a wide range of news stories in areas including science, agriculture, culture, health, and education. The language used is simple, and...more
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VOA offers audio and written radio scripts of a wide range of news stories in areas including science, agriculture, culture, health, and education. The language used is simple, and the stories are read more slowly than the average radio broadcast. The site includes its own dictionary ("Word Book") and pronunciation guide, as well as links to many other features. Contains RealAudio and MP3 downloadable audio files. If you have high speed internet, you can also use the streaming option.
In the Classroom
Use this simplified news site to help students improve listening skills and vocabulary while learning about current events. This is an easy way to differentiate for students who process information more slowly as English language learners or for other reasons.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Many Things.org Daily - Charles I. Kelly & Lawrence E. Kelly
Grades
4 to 12
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Part of "Interesting Things for ESL Students," this unadorned site changes daily and provides common slang (near the top of the page), idioms, or proverbs and definitions plus daily...more
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Part of "Interesting Things for ESL Students," this unadorned site changes daily and provides common slang (near the top of the page), idioms, or proverbs and definitions plus daily grammar quizzes. It also features an audio broadcast of a simplified news release backed up with archives (Click on links below Listening). Also available is a multilingual translating dictionary and access to three top search engines.
In the Classroom
Use this to beef up vocabulary, to explore culture through idioms and proverbs, and for listening and discussion practice in response to news reports. Great to fill in 5 - 10 minutes at the beginning or end of classes! For the regular classroom teacher, this may provide an alternate way for ESL students to "study" current events. Be sure to mark it in Favorites on your classroom computer for these students to access (or place a shortcut on the desktop). Note: you need speakers for the audio!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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North Korea - CIA FactBook - CIA
Grades
6 to 12
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The CIA's Factbook is pretty dry reading, but this site does provide some of the history of Korea, including the post-World War II division into North and South. There are ...more
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The CIA's Factbook is pretty dry reading, but this site does provide some of the history of Korea, including the post-World War II division into North and South. There are other facts about culture, government, and economy, but North Korea remains one of the world's least-known and least-understood nations. Could be a useful reference for discussion of current events or a research source for projects on countries.
In the Classroom
Include this in your supplemental teacher links pages during a unit on Asia or Korea.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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War News Radio - Swarthmore College
Grades
6 to 12
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Produced by a talented, well-trained group of college students, this online audio resource - available as podcasts, through RSS syndication, and on the web, presents detailed, well-researched...more
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Produced by a talented, well-trained group of college students, this online audio resource - available as podcasts, through RSS syndication, and on the web, presents detailed, well-researched short reports about the war in Iraq. Many segments include on-the-scene interviews with Iraqis and troops in the field. The site also includes a collection of background reports, like "Iraq 101" that help provide context for the reporting
In the Classroom
Try this one as a current events source for personalized, less sensational reports on events in Iraq.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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The Basics of Fusion - Princeton
Grades
6 to 12
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In May, 2006, an unusual international consortium signed a treaty that could lead to the eventual construction of the world's first commercial fusion reactor. With it would come the...more
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In May, 2006, an unusual international consortium signed a treaty that could lead to the eventual construction of the world's first commercial fusion reactor. With it would come the key to almost limitless energy. This backgrounder from a similar European consortium provides a much more basic introduction to how fusion works and why it presents such a challenge.
In the Classroom
In addition to its obvious applications in physics, this issue could have widespread economic and environmental implications. There are lots of "What if..." questions you could develop around this one.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Science Update Podcasts - American Association for the Advancement of Science
Grades
6 to 12
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Head to this site to subscribe to a free, weekly podcast on interesting news and developments in all areas of science. These weekly audio files run 3-5 minutes each. While ...more
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Head to this site to subscribe to a free, weekly podcast on interesting news and developments in all areas of science. These weekly audio files run 3-5 minutes each. While not designed specifically for instructional use, they provide current science news in an easily accessible format.
In the Classroom
Try this one for your own professional development, or play it in science class as students are getting settled in for their class period.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Grading on a Curve - New York Times
Grades
6 to 12
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Just how effective are the six key issues of President Bush's domestic agenda? This lesson gives students a chance to assume the role of political analyst as they critically examine...more
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Just how effective are the six key issues of President Bush's domestic agenda? This lesson gives students a chance to assume the role of political analyst as they critically examine the Bush administration. The goal is to create a report card addressing the efficacy of selected domestic topics. Includes suggestions for interdisciplinary activities and projects. Aligned to standards.
In the Classroom
Though a bit outdated for a current events class, this would be a great lesson in a US government class looking at the Presidency of George H.W. Bush. Save this lesson as a favorite on your desktop to allow for easy retrieval later on - though be sure to look closely at the lesson and make sure that students have learned enough of the contextual information to be able to make sense of the article. For differentiation, peruse the article before-hand, creating a list of words that students may have trouble with or may not be familiar with. Create a follow-along for the article, defining those words selected to help students as they read. This will allow lower achieving readers to be able to process the information more efficiently and with more comprehension.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Avian Influenza: What You Should Know - U.S. Centers for Disease Control
Grades
6 to 12
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The CDC's home page for information on "bird flu" (avian influenza) offers a variety of content written at an adult level, including basic fact sheets, current outbreak updates, etc....more
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The CDC's home page for information on "bird flu" (avian influenza) offers a variety of content written at an adult level, including basic fact sheets, current outbreak updates, etc. Used selectively, this information offers an authoritative look at the evolution of this new disease and the international response to its spread.
In the Classroom
Use this site as an introduction to the avian flu during the seemingly always present flu-season. Have students explore the site in cooperative learning group with the intentions of finding three things that they can do to prevent themselves from getting the flu, or what the government is doing to prevent a spread. Have students create a short presentation with the information, making online posters that summarizes their findings. Use an online poster creator, such as Padlet (reviewed here). This would be great in a Health class, or in a government class studying government responses during crises or the impact of globalization.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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John Roberts Nominated as Chief Justice - NPR
Grades
6 to 12
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NPR's collection of stories about the Roberts nomination includes background on his career, a look at the confirmation process, and discussions of Roberts and the rare opportunity to...more
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NPR's collection of stories about the Roberts nomination includes background on his career, a look at the confirmation process, and discussions of Roberts and the rare opportunity to fill two court vacancies. Useful for individual or group use.
In the Classroom
Though there have been judges nominated and appointed more recently than Roberts, this site provides some excellent information that makes it a great resource for a lesson on judicial nominations. Use this site as a hands-on activity after a class discussion or lecture on the topic. Have cooperative learning groups explore the site with the intentions of showing how Roberts moved through the processes to become a judge. Have students create graphic organizers or concept maps demonstrating the process. Use a tool such as bubbl.us (reviewed here) to create and share the concept maps.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Day In Pictures - Reuters
Grades
4 to 12
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Reuters' new photo service offers several image collections, including a review of every week and month. Users will need to scroll down the page a bit to find it, but ...more
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Reuters' new photo service offers several image collections, including a review of every week and month. Users will need to scroll down the page a bit to find it, but the images are striking, covering a wide variety of issues and events.
In the Classroom
Use these images as writing prompts in an English or government classroom focused on providing real-world examples. Post an image on the interactive whiteboard or projector and have students respond to the image by a specific written format, or to the content presented in the picture. This is a great way to provide a face to the content being learned in a government class, or to help students stretch their imaginations with new prompts in an English class.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Mount St. Helen's Teacher's Corner - National Park Service
Grades
6 to 12
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Here's a collection of resources that teachers can use to help students understand the effects of an active volcano on the surrounding habitats. You'll also find a nice collection of...more
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Here's a collection of resources that teachers can use to help students understand the effects of an active volcano on the surrounding habitats. You'll also find a nice collection of information on the history of the volcano itself. Worth a visit if you're planning a unit on volcanoes or national forests.
In the Classroom
Science teachers will love all the summary tables and resources offered on this site. In teaching about Mt St. Helens, many of the summary tables can actually be cleared and printed to allow students to use them as a graphic organizer to follow along a lecture. This site is also great for refreshing the events of that day as well as the volcanic history of the mountain. Save this site as a favorite on your classroom computer for easy reference.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Genesis: Search for Origins - NASA
Grades
5 to 12
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Despite its untimely crash to earth, the Genesis spaceship still managed to bring back tiny samplings of raw material from the sun for eager scientists to analyze. This site provides...more
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Despite its untimely crash to earth, the Genesis spaceship still managed to bring back tiny samplings of raw material from the sun for eager scientists to analyze. This site provides an overview of the entire mission, video clips, photographs, and descriptions of the processes scientists are using to investigate the Genesis canister and its contents. Younger students will enjoy the interactive games and activities related to the mission and follow-up investigation by NASA. Be sure to check out the Creator's Kitchen for teacher resources and suggestions. A few resources on this site require Flash or QuickTime, however, there is so much more here that doesn't that it's worth a look by you and your students
In the Classroom
Take advantage of the free lesson plans and classroom activities hosted on this site! Use the simulations to teach students about space, space travel, even elements. Great for science teachers of almost all grades!
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Acronym Finder - Mountain Data
Grades
6 to 12
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How often do your students come across unfamiliar acronyms related to current events, science, or computer technology? These pesky words and abbreviations can be a major source of confusion,...more
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How often do your students come across unfamiliar acronyms related to current events, science, or computer technology? These pesky words and abbreviations can be a major source of confusion, but this site helps make sense of the often overwhelming jungle of acronyms. Enter the acronym in question, and be rewarded with a complete list of definitions with links to more specific explanations. The site even addresses slang and "chat" acronyms that are used frequently by kids, but may mystify many teachers!
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Adventures of Cyberbee
Grades
1 to 12
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Library specialist Linda C. Joseph has assembled a useful, interactive, and entertaining collection of resources for students and teachers. Use the "primary source of the month" feature...more
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Library specialist Linda C. Joseph has assembled a useful, interactive, and entertaining collection of resources for students and teachers. Use the "primary source of the month" feature to spark discussions about why such a resource is so valuable. Links to Web treasure hunts, projects, and helpful how-to advice on a variety of Internet-related topics are included.
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Frontline World - PBS
Grades
6 to 12
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This site from the PBS Frontline series offers regular reports, video, and images that are extended versions of earlier video reporting. Topics vary, and the editorial slant is not...more
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This site from the PBS Frontline series offers regular reports, video, and images that are extended versions of earlier video reporting. Topics vary, and the editorial slant is not often without its own point of view. That said, the content can be good for getting students to answer the question, "What do you think?"
In the Classroom
Take advantage of these free lesson plans and classroom activities that incorporate math into various liberal art subjects! This is a great way to incorporate interest from all types of learners and in some situations, make the topic easier to understand.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Who's Who in Post-War Iraq - BBC
Grades
6 to 12
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BBC's presentation on the key players in today's Iraq will help teachers and students sort out both the individuals and the many movements and factions that are now vying for ...more
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BBC's presentation on the key players in today's Iraq will help teachers and students sort out both the individuals and the many movements and factions that are now vying for influence in that nation. This one would make a great backgrounder for a discussion on balancing power in Iraq in the effort to build a democratic government there.
In the Classroom
Use this site as a learning center or station during a unit on the War on Terror and the fighting in the Middle East. Because there is a lot of information on this site, this activity works best with a follow-along or guide to highlight for students what's most important. For help creating easy graphic organizers, we recommend using Graphic Organizer Maker, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Beyond the War in Iraq - NPR
Grades
6 to 12
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National Public Radio's web content about the ongoing rebuilding efforts in Iraq offers a nice blend of interviews, factual reporting, and images from the scene. There's an emphasis...more
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National Public Radio's web content about the ongoing rebuilding efforts in Iraq offers a nice blend of interviews, factual reporting, and images from the scene. There's an emphasis on political, economic, cultural, and military issues and their relationships with one another. Try this one as a starting point for an in-depth current events discussion.
In the Classroom
Use this site as a resource for a class discussion on the effects of the Iraq war on both US soldiers and Iraqi civilians. Introduce this site on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Then have students explore this site independently or in small groups. This allows students to prepare for a class discussion adequately. This would be a great resource for a US government or history class.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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NewsIsFree
Grades
6 to 12
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Here's a British site that does a nice job of sucking up news items from thousands of sources and offering them up in organized, manageable pages. While its resources are ...more
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Here's a British site that does a nice job of sucking up news items from thousands of sources and offering them up in organized, manageable pages. While its resources are mostly English language, this site relies on reporting from a number of nations, so students will sometimes notice a very different "spin" on events from that given by domestic news organizations. Try this one for another view of what's going on in the world.
In the Classroom
Use this site as a resource for current events projects - assign students various weeks through out the semester in which they are to be the class news reporter, keeping their peers up to date and informed. Have students research whats going on via this news site, and present a small presentation at the beginning of class every day during their week. Students can either orally present, or for the technologically inclined, create a short video summarizing the same information. Have students create news briefs and share them using a tool such as SchoolTube reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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UPI Photo Library - UPI
Grades
4 to 12
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This searchable library of UPI news photos could be a great addition to in-class current events discussions. ...more
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This searchable library of UPI news photos could be a great addition to in-class current events discussions.
In the Classroom
We've looked in vain for copyright statements regarding educational use. While there's a wealth of content here, tread carefully if you plan to use these outside the classroom.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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