Teachable Moments

Our free "Teachable Moments" lesson plans supplement your own instructional materials, providing background information and student prompts.

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	Teachable Moment #9: Is It Easy Being Green? Zero Waste in Your Community Awareness is increasing about the importance of reducing waste and toxins from the environment. Explore what zero waste is and how it impacts their community. Free Download
Teachable Moment #8: Wondering About the New Seven (Man-Made) Wonders of the World What would you pick as the New Seven Wonders of the World? Learn about the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and explore those chosen as the New Seven Wonders of the World. Free Download	Teachable Moment #7: Vending Machine Bans Increase in Schools Nationwide Explore the educational, health, and financial issues related to the increasing banning of vending machines from schools. Free Download
Teachable Moment #6: Seventeen Years After the First, Second African American Governor Sworn In Challenge your students to consider what progress has been made in racial equality. Compare and contrast the only two African American governors elected in the United States and evaluate their role in the history of civil rights. Free Download	Teachable Moment #5: Quebec Declared a Nation Within a United Canada Examine current events to explore the concepts of national identity. Consider the ways that nations respond to forces of unity and diversity as they affect order and security. Free Download
Teachable Moment #4: Dark Energy: Einstein's "Biggest Blunder" Now Seems Like an Accurate Explanation Focus your high school students on new findings about dark energy by engaging them in research and discussion about the nature of science and of scientific inquiry. Free Download	Teachable Moment #3: U.S. Population Hits 3 Hundred Million Put mathematics, economics, and science to use by applying them to this "teachable moment". This three page lesson provides links to news reports, information resources, questions/answers, and ways to further extend the lesson. Free Download
Teachable Moment #2: Unknown Frost Poem Discovered This 5 page lesson provides background information as well as prompts and activities centered around the lost Robert Frost poem recently discovered. Exploring this lost piece of literature engages students in exploring the structure of poems and poetic devices, and includes live links to websites discussing this recent find. Free Download	Teachable Moment #1: Pluto Is No Longer a Planet This 4 page lesson provides background information along with prompts and activities to engage students in exploring this situation as an illustration of the ever-changing nature of science. This lesson plan also includes live links to various news and astronomy websites as further useful material. Free Download