Afghan War Lesson Plan

Social Studies/ Current Events/ History/ Debate

9-12 grades

2 classes (2 hrs)

Objective:  Students will research the Afghan War and the U.S. involvement in it.  Students will form an opinion on whether the U.S. should continue to be involved.  Students will write an essay defending their position.

Preparation:

-Teacher shall arrange for access to Global Issues in Context (via computer lab)

-Teacher may choose to provide information regarding the U.S.’s involvement in the Afghan War via recent news articles.

-Teacher shall provide outline/ expectations for writing

Procedure:

-Students will research the Afghan War and the United State’s involvement in it, using Global Issues in Context (select browse issues and topics, select conflict and diplomacy, select Afghan War)

-Students will spend one class period researching

-Students will spend the next class period writing a persuasive essay on the following prompt “Should the U.S. continue it’s involvement in the Afghan War?”  (students should use information from research to defend their position)

*You may opt to have students document their research as a note-taking activity or proof of work

*To use this writing activity as practice for the ACT, allow 30 minutes for writing essays and use ACT five-paragraph essay outline

*Extension Activity:  Teachers may choose to allow students to participate in a debate on this topic.  The debate could take place prior to the writing, as a brainstorming activity, or after writing.

Modifications:

-Allow for use of Read Speaker during research

-Provide detailed outline of persuasive essays

-Extend time for writing