Intended to help students and teachers make the best use of the companion "Current Issues" text, this teacher's guide provides a variety of instructional activities. It includes lesson plans for each chapter in the text, including the introduction, that may be used exactly as written or modified. The lesson plans use instructional strategies that…

The creationism evolution controversy has become a problem of major concern in many states, especially Arkansas and Louisiana, and is the basis for dispute in many courts. Creationists, sensing the need for a modern approach, have now become less concerned with the theological rationale for their argument and have turned to the scientific field as…

Argues that the important issue is not whether students are exposed to wrong ideas, but rather whether each has been taught how, and given the freedom to test new ideas, evaluate them, and respond appropriately. The question of teaching evolution, creation, or both is then trivial by comparison. (Author/MA)

The inclusion of controversial issues in science curriculum development is discussed with special emphasis on the Biological Sciences Curriculum Study (BSCS). Guidelines for the responsible development and use of potentially controversial materials are included. (MA)

Analyzes the United States Supreme Court's reversal of "Memphis County School Distruct v. Stachura," a District Court decision to compensate a temporarily suspended life sciences teacher for damages involving deprivation of his constitutional rights. Views this decision as one more obstacle blocking individuals' progress against…

Many educators have been reluctant to deal with the nuclear threat and peace education in their classrooms, viewing such topics as controversial, unprofessional, or harmful. After summarizing recent peace education events in Canadian schools, this article advocates teaching about nuclear issues in the context of justice, violence, survival, and…

Politics and science have become too much entangled in the controversy over creationism and the teaching of evolution in the public schools. Political opinion is irrelevant when the scientific principles underlying a particular issue are being discussed. (MSE)

Urges school administrators to act now to establish innovative programs dealing with teen pregnancy and parenting problems. Argues for school-based clinics or special schools offering comprehensive health services such as birth control information and devices, referral, and childcare. Cites successful approaches in Fresno, California, and several…

The arguments put forth in the 1930s against indoctrination in American education from the standpoints of the social reconstructionists and of the followers of the Bode-Hullfish position are presented. The only viable alternative to indoctrination was seen to be the study of social problems. These views continue to shape classroom practice. (RM)

Presents guidelines to help school personnel plan, implement, and evaluate educational efforts to prevent unnecessary morbidity and mortality associated with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and other human immunodeficiency virus-related illnesses. Offers evaluative questions and outlines curriculum content for various school levels.…

Discusses problems inherent in teaching sensitive subjects such as rape, disasters, and nuclear war; and presents ideas about preparing classes on these subjects. Comments and data are drawn from experience in teaching family violence classes, students comments, journals, and conversations with colleagues. (BSR)

Using academic conflicts for instructional purposes is one of the most dynamic, involving, and least used teaching strategies. Teachers fear divisiveness and also lack fitting instructional models for structuring controversial discussions. This article discusses the controversy process and how teachers can organize and use it to enhance cognitive…

Examines the benefits and drawbacks of introducing topical and controversial issues into the political science curriculum in an attempt to make it more relevant to students. Discusses how the authors avoided biased presentations in their women's studies courses by introducing students to anti-feminist ideology as explained by anti-feminist…

Outlines a lesson in which students learn how the constitutional protection of religious freedom has been applied to the Amish. Includes readings from which students can analyze three seemingly contradictory decisions related to the Amish and attempt to understand judicial interpretation. Asks students to apply the concept of judicial…

Traces the development of "The Lessons of the Vietnam War," a set of units which cover legal, cultural, and historical questions of the war in greater depth than do survey textbooks. Examples of the 12 topics are "Introduction to Vietnam: Land, Culture, and History" and "Taking Sides: The War at Home." (GEA)