Students at NYC's Beacon High School.
Photo© Carolina Kroon

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About Morningside Center

TeachableMoment.Org is a project of Morningside Center for Teaching Social Responsibility, and furthers our mission of fostering social responsibility in young people.

Morningside Center works in public schools and communities to help teachers, students, and parents build skills, knowledge and community. Through our programs, people learn to solve conflicts nonviolently, challenge bias, communicate better, and work together to build a more just and peaceful society.

Morningside Center relies on individuals to help support our work, including the free lessons available on TeachableMoment. Please contribute!




Iraqi family finds refuge in Jordan.
Photo © Lori Grinker

Nothing Like My Home
The Iraqi Refugee Crisis

Morningside Center's Nothing Like My Home Project uses the arts and media to engage young people in the plight of 4.7 million Iraqis displaced by war.

 

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.

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.

SUPREME COURT NOMINEE SOTOMAYOR: What Role for Experience & Heritage? (6/24/09) Student readings explore the debate over Sotomayor, her background, and controversial cases. Discussion questions, a case study and writing assignments follow.

TREATMENT OF TERRORIST SUSPECTS: Obama & His Critics (6/17/09) In a recent speech, the president discussed his views of controversial anti-terrorist policies. Three student readings include excerpts from the speech followed by critiques from multiple perspectives, discussion questions and inquiry ideas.

BOOM, BUST & BANK BAILOUT (6/3/09) What fueled the housing boom and the bust that followed? Who was hurt? Who benefited? Two student readings explore the issues.

CHECKING LANGUAGE & FACTS IN THE HEALTHCARE DEBATE (5/20/09) Student readings include excerpts from a memo and an ad attacking Obama's reform plan as well as a description of that plan. Discussion questions call for critical thinking about language, factual, and substantive issues.

SHOULD ASSAULT WEAPONS BE BANNED? (5/13/09) Student readings review the origins of the AK-47, the 10-year federal ban on assault weapons, President Obama's views on guns, and the NRA's political clout. Discussion questions and an inquiry-oriented plan for "constructive controversy" follow.

HOW ORGANIC IS ORGANIC FOOD? (5/6/09) What is organic food exactly? Student activities include two readings, a quiz, a writing assignment and suggestions for further inquiry.

SCHOOL REFORM CONTROVERSY (4/29/09) Student readings address the chief issues in today's reform efforts, obstacles to reform, and critical views of mainstream school reform. Discussion questions and suggestions for student inquiries and writing follow.

TORTURE MEMOS & THE RULE OF LAW (4/27/09) A student reading includes excerpts from recently released memos on 'interrogation techniques' approved by the Bush administration; a second reading quotes President Obama's statement on the issue. Discussion questions and writing and citizenship activities follow.

GREEN INITIATIVES to Combat Climate Change (for High School Students) (4/15/09) Student readings describe the scientific controversy over "tipping points," the Obama-Biden energy program, and plans to green the Empire State Building. Following the readings are suggestions for student-led green initiatives for Earth Day - or any other day.

MESSAGE IN THE WAVES: Two Earth Day Lessons for Middle School Students (4/8/09) After viewing a short video clip, students consider the effect all our waste has on the environment and develop a 'reduce, reuse, recyle' action plan.

THE GARBAGE PATCH: Two Earth Day Lessons for Elementary Students (4/8/09) With the help of a short video clip, students explore the 'life cycle' of a plastic bag and develop a 'reduce, reuse, recycle' action plan.

Obama's strategy in AFGHANISTAN & PAKISTAN, with a DBQ (4/8/09) An introduction and two student readings discuss the president's view of the Afghanistan/Pakistan connection and what he thinks must be done in both countries. A companion Document-Based Question (DBQ) exercise asks students to consider and write about competing views of the president's strategy.

VOTING RIGHTS ACT OF 1965, THEN & NOW (4/1/09) One student reading traces the orgins of the Voting Rights Act; a second discusses the recent Supreme Court decision limiting the Act's scope when it comes to drawing voter district lines.

. . . And more for elementary, middle & high school.

  
 
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