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.
NOTE:
Curriculum writer Alan Shapiro's email address has changed. His new address
is: lnshapiro07@gmail.com.
Hundreds
more interactive classroom activities are available on our elementary,
middle,
and high school
index pages.
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.
PAKISTAN'S
'STAGGERING DISASTER': How Students Can Help (9/1/10)
A
brief student reading suggesting the dimensions of the crisis
is followed by suggestions for student discussion and inquiry,
and ways to translate compassion into action.
NYC
MUSLIM COMMUNITY CENTER: Why There? Why Not? (8/30/10)
Three
student readings describe plans for the controversial center,
multiple perspectives about it, and an overview of mosque protests
in New York City and elsewhere. Suggestions for a fish bowl discussion
follow.
THIS
IS JUST TO SAY: NCLB and Race to the Top Leave Education Behind
(8/23/10)
Alan
Shapiro's essay challenges us to consider current education policies
and what real reform might look like.
AL
QAEDA AND THE TALIBAN: What Threat to the U.S.?
(8/4/10)
President
Obama continues to maintain that Al Qaeda and the Taliban "threaten
America and its allies." Is he right? Three student readings
present some of the basic background information on Al Qaeda and
the Taliban and on differing views of counterinsurgency.
CHECKING
FACTS WITH SNOPES, FACTCHECK & POLITIFACT (7/14/10)
The
internet is loaded with information--but much of it is inaccurate.
Three student readings examine three reliable factchecking sources--Snopes,
FactCheck, and PolitiFact. Discussion questions, writing assignments
and opportunities for group work follow.
SHOULD
US OFFICIALS & HEALTH PROFESSIONALS BE INVESTIGATED FOR WAR
CRIMES? (6/23/10)
Three
student readings consider a new study by Physicians for Human
Rights of the Bush administration's use of health professionals
to monitor "enhanced" interrogations, reactions to the
issue, and historical examples of medical
experimentation. Discussion questions and suggestions for other
activities follow.
ACTIVITIES
TO CLOSE
THE SCHOOL YEAR (6/23/10)
(for all grades)
Five activities use different methodologies to help you and your students reflect
on the year and look ahead to next year. THE
TEXAS SOCIAL STUDIES CONTROVERSY (6/16/10)
Students learn
about the Texas Board of Education's controversial new standards and consider
whether they approve of ten items included in the new standards. GULF
OIL SPILL: What happened, and who is responsible? (for younger
grades) (6/9/10)
Students
discuss the massive BP oil spill and view two short videos as they consider what
happened in the gulf, their own consumption of oil, and who should be held responsible
for the spill. REFORMING
WALL STREET & Its Booms, Bubbles & Busts (6/9/10)
Three student
readings outline the near collapse of the U.S. financial system, the deceptiveactions
of brokers and banks, and the financial reform bills Congress is nowo considering. SHOULD
A
PRESIDENT HAVE THE RIGHT TO EAVESDROP
ON YOU?
(6/2/10)
Three student readings explore the legal conflict over whether the government
can claim "state secrets privilege" to
tap people's phones, review email, and examine internet usage.
Discussion questions and suggested activities follow. THE
GULF CATASTROPHE (5/21/10)
An introduction and three student readings explore the vast BP spill, who is responsible,
and problems with the Minerals Management Service. ARIZONA'S
CONTROVERSIAL NEW IMMIGRATION LAW (5/12/10)
Three
student readings consider the law, a new poll on immigration policies, and the
story of one undocumented immigrant. Discussion questions, a pair-share dialogue,
and suggested additional activities follow. JERUSALEM:
Divided City in a Divided Land.
(5/5/10) Three
student readings explore the Israeli/Palestinian conflict over Jerusalem, tensions
between the US and Israel over the issue, and how it affects US relations with
Arab nations and peoples. PHOEBE
PRINCE'S SUICIDE HIGHLIGHTS THE PRESSING ISSUE OF BULLYING
(4/28/10)
Two student readings describe the events leading to the young girl's suicide,
the depth of the bullying problem and an approach to countering it. Following
the readings is an outline for small group discussion in which students share
their experiences with bullying and discuss what their school is doing or should
do to counter bullying.
.
. . And more for elementary,
middle
& high
school.
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