World+Issues+-+An+Inquiry+Lesson

= = = World Issues = = An Inquiry Lesson =

- Doing the right thing sometimes leads to wonderful new opportunities, even if your intention was different than where the experience led you
In the Choices, Conflicts and Issues unit in the English Language Arts 9 curriculum, the students are asked to read a speech given by Jeff Gibbs called "Save South Moresby". This speech discusses Gibbs' experience visiting the Rainforest of South Moresby and how it influenced him to quit university to start the Environmental Youth Alliance group. The EYA is founded in Vancouver by Jeff Gibbs in 1991, and its focus is on youth participation in environmental and community health in the Vancouver area and around the globe. If you want more information visit their website, and/or read about their mission/vision.

After reading "Save South Moresby" and answering some content and analysis questions based off of the speech, students are involved in the process of brainstorming other world issues that they believe need to be addressed, and they want to learn more about. The students then were asked to choose one (if they wanted to do more than one, or overlap a couple, or found one we never discussed, they were encouraged to allow the process to take them there and do whatever they needed for research to find out what they wanted and needed), and create a presentation about the issue. Powerpoint, Prezi, posters, pamphlets, videos, etc. were given as options for the presentation method.

The Essential Questions from the ELA 9 Curriculum:
- What is the right thing to do? - What are our rights, responsibilities, and freedoms? - What causes conflict or makes something an issue? - How do individuals and groups best deal with and resolve conflicts and address issues? - What qualities help people deal with conflicts and issues successfully?


 * Click here to view the lesson handout for students for this activity**
 * Click here to view the inquiry theme/unit chart for this activity**

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