You Decide: Should the American space program send a manned mission to Mars?
This educational guide focuses on whether or not the American Space Program should send a manned Mission to Mars. Students are invited to examine the arguments on both sides of the debate, developing critical thinking skills as they work through the activities. Students will learn how to support their arguments with evidence and reason. It is expected that at the end of this guide students will determine where they stand on this controversial issue.
You Decide: Is the Bush administration doing enough to protect the environment?
This educational guide focuses on environmental issues and the role of the Bush administration in safeguarding the energy requirements of the nation while at the same time protecting the environment from pollution and toxic emissions. Students are invited to examine the arguments on both sides of the debate, developing critical thinking skills as they work through the activities. Students will learn how to support their arguments with evidence and reason. It is expected that at the end of this g
You Decide: Is preemptive war a legitimate means of American national defense?
This educational guide focuses on the legitimacy of preemptive war as a means of American national defense, looking at the rationale for intervention, and the related moral and strategic issues. Students are invited to examine the arguments on both sides of the debate, developing critical thinking skills as they work through the activities. Students will learn how to support their arguments with evidence and reason. It is expected that at the end of this guide students will determine where they
Art Meets Nature: Natalie Jeremijenko
SPARK follows conceptual artist/engineer Natalie Jeremjienko as she works on her One Tree(s) project, planting 100 pairs of cloned trees throughout the Bay Area. This Educator Guide explores conceptual art as well as the investigative and ethical issues of life science and cloning.
All Natural: Jim Denevan and Chris Drury
SPARK tails artists Jim Denevan and Cris Drury as they create large earth works. This Educator Guide is about the history and tradition of artists making work in and about the natural environment.
You Decide: Should fast food companies be held legally liable for the impact of their products on co
This educational guide focuses on whether or not fast food companies can be held legally liable for the impact of their products on consumers' health. Students are invited to examine the arguments on both sides of the debate, developing critical thinking skills as they work through the activities. Students will learn how to support their arguments with evidence and reason. It is expected that at the end of this guide students will determine where they stand on this controversial issue.
You Decide: Do Americans pay too much in federal income tax?
This educational guide focuses on federal income tax, investigating different tax systems and the fairness and efficacy of each. Students are invited to examine the arguments on both sides of the debate, developing critical thinking skills as they work through the activities. Students will learn how to support their arguments with evidence and reason. It is expected that at the end of this guide students will determine where they stand on this controversial issue.
On the Case: An Introduction to the Genre of Mysteries
In this lesson, students will view a video from the series Reading Rainbow, "Mystery on the Docks" by Thacher Hurd. Mysteries provide an opportunity to teach reading strategies such as questioning, prediction and problem solving. This lesson will also focus on the characteristics common to all mysteries and the devices that authors use to create setting, characters, plot and suspense.
Opportunity and Discrimination, A Dream of Gold
The lesson focuses on what it means to be a citizen of the United States and why the Chinese Exclusion Act is important when considering the concept of racism. It provides critical thinking activities directed at understanding how the Chinese used the legal system and the Constitution of the United States.
Representing History: North Korea - Behind the Wire
This unit introduces students to North Korea, a communist country that is seen by the West as an autocratic regime in contrast to the democratic, capitalist South Korea. Students will examine how their preconceptions as an audience affect their understanding of this documentary.
Women and Media
In this lesson, students examine the role of women in the media; critique and discuss different portrayals of women in popular culture and focus on how these reflect larger societal and cultural values.
Challenges in Changing the Face of a City
This lesson is designed to explore the complex challenges Oakland's Mayor Jerry Brown faces as he attempts to bring change to the city of Oakland. Key issues include housing, poverty, gentrification, politics and business development.
Will the Real Cinderella Please Stand Up?
Students learn that folk stories can be told in many ways and learn to write their own Cinderella story and script according to their own gender or culture. They also become aware of the steps that are necessary to make a film as they learn the various parts that go into the process.
Peace Is Hard Work
In this lesson, students will create their own lists of what they consider to be the characteristics of a successful peacemaker. They will then research two peacemakers - Jody Williams and Desmond Tutu - and consider how each laureate might take action to end a specific conflict that is happening at the present time.
Finding Racial Stereotypes in Popular Culture
In this lesson students analyze current media and determine if racial stereotyping exists and consider causes of and remedies for racial stereotyping.
Lights, Camera, Action!
This lesson is designed to introduce students to the role immigration has played in building our country. Through literature and hands-on activities, students will explore the difficulties that have confronted newcomers to the United States. Students will also construct an interview with a character from a story, then videotape the presentation.
Civil Disobedience Action Plan
This lesson acquaints students with historical and current concepts of civil disobedience. They will also consider issues that affect their own lives in relation to civil disobedience.
Civil Rights of Japanese-American Internees
In this lesson students analyze basic civic and human rights and determine if Japanese Americans rights were violated during WWII.
Fairness: Incarceration of Japanese Americans During World War II
The purpose of this lesson is to have students examine the concept of equality, one of the fundamental concepts embodied in our constitution and laws, and try to understand why Japanese Americans were treated so unfairly during WWII.
Backward to the Future
Oral histories not only help us to recall important memories, but when told to children in the form of storytelling, they also provide a connection to the real world and give children a place within their own community. Oral histories help to explain events in one's life while providing an account of the time remembered. In this lesson, students watch a video of a personal history and learn the difference between primary sources and secondary sources of information. They learn how technology and
