Era 16: Contemporary United States: Interconnected Global Society (1970-today)

Summary: In this one-day lesson, students will learn about the basics of globalization as it relates to the interconnectedness of transportation and trade. The lesson utilizes short videos, articles, guided reading handouts, and discussion questions for four successive topics: 1) What is Globalization; 2) The global supply change for medicine; 3) Innovations in transportation and trade; and 4) International organizations that facilitate cooperation and encourage diplomatic solutions....

Summary: In this interactive lesson, students learn what globalization is and what distinguishes modern globalization from earlier forms of global trade and interaction. Students watch videos that define modern globalization and explain how the production of a Converse sneaker is affected by the global manufacturing process. Students also learn about globalization’s costs and benefits for producers, consumers, workers, the environment, and more. At the end of the lesson, students write a...

Summary: In this lesson, students review the causes for refugee crises originating in six countries: Syria, Venezuela, Afghanistan, South Sudan, Myanmar, and Ukraine. Then, through general class or collaborative group discussion, students consider which of the six should receive the most attention and aid from the United States and why. Next, students distinguish between “refugees” and “climate migrants” and the struggle for the latter to receive asylum protection by the United Nations....

Summary: In this interactive lesson, students read through several primary source documents. Students consider how human interactions may have led to changes in the environment, weather and climate described in these documents. As they review each document, students write down five observations and address the central question: How can human interactions lead to changes in the environment, weather, and climate over time?

Overarching Questions:

Summary: In this lesson from the Ethics, Economics, and Social Issues curriculum, students will explore basic ideas of justice and self-interest. Students begin by collaboratively exploring government policies such as unemployment insurance, Medicare, immigration, and education funding. In the first round, students will vote on the policies under a “veil of ignorance,” i.e. before knowing if each policy will benefit them or not. In the second round, students will be given role cards and vote...

Summary: Students begin the lesson by predicting the answer to the compelling question, How are 21st century jobs different from those in the past? To answer the compelling question, students will begin by answering three smaller supporting questions: How do economists measure work?; What is the role of education in the workforce?; and How are jobs changing? Students employ a variety of strategies including brainstorming, prediction, collaborative discussion, and pair-sharing to draft answers first for...

Coming soon.