All resources in 6-8 Working Group

Pros and Cons

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Students will formulate pro or con arguments on an important topic by using the Power Library resources.  Students will present a written summary of their arguments and identify which side of the argument they are learning toward.  The Philosophical Chairs strategy will then be used to debate the issue.  Once the debate has concluded, students will reflect on how their viewpoint was strengthened, weakened, or changed altogether. 

Material Type: Lesson, Lesson Plan, Teaching/Learning Strategy

Authors: Lynn Ann Wiscount, Erin Halovanic, Vince Mariner

Newspapers Past and Present

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Students learn how newspapers got started, what components are necessary for creating a good newspaper, and what is included in the basic structure of a news article.  They will examine historical newspapers from several eras and then compare them to today's newspapers.  Students will then take on the role of a journalist and write a news article about a hot topic or current event. 

Material Type: Lesson Plan

Authors: Lynn Ann Wiscount, Erin Halovanic, Vince Mariner

Examining Primary Sources from the Civil War

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Primary sources provide firsthand evidence and perspectives of historical events by the person writing them.  Students will read various types of correspondence (letters, diaries, and postcards) and analyze their content.  Students will then take on the role of a citizen and write a letter as if they were part of a major event of the Civil War. 

Material Type: Lesson Plan

Authors: Lynn Ann Wiscount, Erin Halovanic, Vince Mariner