Latest
Activities
The
classroom lessons on TeachableMoment.Org foster critical thinking on issues of
the day and a positive classroom environment. Teachers are free to use these lessons
in their classrooms. We welcome feedback! Send comments as well as requests for
permission to reprint materials for widespread circulation to:
info@morningsidecenter.org. Hundreds
more interactive classroom activities are available on our elementary,
middle,
and high school index pages. FROM
BAGHDAD TO TUCSON: The Story of a Young Iraqi Refugee
(11/18/09) Students
consider their views about Iraq and reflect on one young Iraqi refugee's view
of the U.S. The
American Heritage of Race, Interracial Sex & interracial Marriage
(11/10/09) Four
student readings explore the sensitive and controversial issues of race, interracial
sex and interracial marriage--including the Jefferson-Hemings relationship and
Michelle Barack's ancestry. Juan
Cole on ENGAGING THE MUSLIM WORLD: An Overview for Teachers
(10/28/09) Alan
Shapiro provides background for teachers on the 'standoff' between the Muslim
world and the West through an overview of the new book by Middle East scholar
Juan Cole. COPENHAGEN
CLIMATE CONFERENCE: Will we continue to be 'slowly boiling brainless frogs'?
(10/19/09) This
December 2009 conference presents an opportunity for students to consider some
key issues facing our planet - and possibly to take action in demonstrations this
month. NOBEL
PEACE PRIZE WINNER: President Obama (10/20/09)
A student reading
includes the president's statement on receiving the prize, an excerpt from the
Nobel Committee's announcement, and a sampling of reactions to the award. Discussion
questions follow. AFGHANISTAN:
A War of Necessity? (10/8/09)
Two student
readings consider the president's position, recent military assessments and other
views on the 8-year-old war. Discussion questions and suggestions for inquiry
follow. The
CIA: An Inquiry (9/30/09)
A student reading
explores the debate over the agency's "enhanced interrogation techniques."
Instructions for how to formulate questions for a student inquiry follow. OBAMA'S
HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN & ITS CRITICS (9/16/09)
Student readings
examine the president's plan and the responses of critics and commentators. Discussion
questions follow, as well as suggestions for engaging students' family members
in a dialogue about the issue. HENRY
HUDSON IN MANNAHATTA (9/9/09)
The 400th anniversary
of Henry Hudson's arrival in Manhattan make September 2009 a teachable month.
A student reading describes Hudson's 1609 voyage, relations with native people,
and aftermath. Discussion questions and inquiry suggestions follow, along with
information on web and museum resources. GETTING
TO KNOW YOU: Classroom Activities for Starting Off the School Year
This
28-page PDF booklet includes great activities to get your class (grades preK-12)
off to a good start in the new school year. TEACHING
IN A TIME OF CRISIS (9/2/09)
Educator Marieke van Woerkom provides timeless guidelines for opening up discussion
on difficult issues--like the current economic recession--with your elementary
and middle school students. Also included: links to resources on the economic
crisis to inform the class discussion. 'THE
ROOF IS CAVING IN': Americans Still Losing Jobs & Homes (9/2/09)
Alan Shapiro offers two
readings to help high school students consider the impact of rising unemployment
and continuing foreclosures. Discussion
questions and suggestions for inquiry, writing, and citizenship follow. DR.
GATES, SERGEANT CROWLEY & PRESIDENT OBAMA
(7/29/09)
President
Obama hopes that the incident between police officer James Crowley and scholar
Henry Louis Gates "ends up being what's called a teachable moment."
We oblige with a lesson including student readings and discussion questions. THE
BUREAUCRATIC MACHINE (7/21/09)
In three student readings
and activities, Alan Shapiro invites students to consider the behavior of people
in bureaucracies, including the health insurance industry, finance, and the military.
I.F.
STONE: 'All Governments Lie!' (7/15/09)
At a time when newspapers
are struggling to fund investigative reporting, three student readings examine
the work and impact of journalistic inquirer I.F. Stone. Discussion questions
and suggested inquiry and citizenship activities follow. Supreme
Court ruling: CAN SCHOOLS STRIP SEARCH STUDENTS? (7/8/09)
The court's recent
ruling on the right of schools to conduct drug searches leaves some questions
unanswered. Two readings, discussion questions and suggestions for inquiry help
students consider the issue. IRAN'S
TURMOIL & Relations with the U.S. (7/1/09)
Three student readings
provide an overview of recent events in Iran and outline that country's post-World
War II relationship with the U.S. Discussion questions and suggestions for further
inquiries follow. CIGARETTES:
Cracking down on the 'deadliest legal product known to man'
(7/1/09)
A reading outlines
the new Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act and provides information
about teenage smoking and its effects. A writing assignment, discussion questions
and subjects for further inquiry follow. .
. . And more for elementary,
middle &
high
school. | 
