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Current Issues Classroom Resources

Our ready-to-use, nonpartisan resources and lesson plans help teachers facilitate meaningful discussions with students about current issues.

A Comprehensive Approach to Teaching Current Issues

Close Up’s supplemental Current Issues resources are designed to provide middle school and high school students with multiple perspectives on debatable current events.

  • School-Wide Use: Our resources use a central question to outline structured discussions, debates, and deliberations, and are available to all classrooms at a subscribing school.
  • Background Information: Primary sources, from decision-makers to experts across the political spectrum, help students understand each issue’s context and history.
  • Frequent Updates: We add new Current Issues resources regularly throughout the school year to reflect the policy landscape.
  • Lesson Plans: We provide activities and structured guides to facilitate meaningful classroom conversations.

Be sure to check out our professional development trainings and our other work to help teachers, schools, and districts best utilize our Current Issues resources and promote thoughtful classroom discourse!

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Civil Rights & Individual Liberties

Civil Rights & Individual Liberties

 The Right to Protest
Title IX & Transgender Students
Red Flag Gun Laws

Criminal Justice

Criminal Justice

 Police Reform
Racial Profiling
Death Penalty

Economic Issues

Economic Issues

 Homelessness
Minimum Wage
Wealth Tax

Education

Education

 Affirmative Action
College Affordability
Educational Equity

Energy & Environment

Energy & Environment

 Climate Change
Methane Emissions
Environmental Justice

Foreign Policy

Foreign Policy

 Role of the U.S. in the World
Iran Nuclear Deal
Cuba Trade Embargo

Government & Elections

Government & Elections

 Electoral College
Campaign Finance Reform
Voter ID Laws

Health Care

Health Care

 Medicare for All
School Vaccination Requirements
COVID-19 Pandemic

Immigration

Immigration

 Birthright Citizenship
DACA
Sanctuary Cities

 

 

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What kind of courses do Close Up's resources complement?
Are Close Up’s resources designed for a particular grade level?
Are Close Up’s resources nonpartisan?
How often are Close Up’s resources updated and published?
How do Close Up’s resources align with the C3 Framework, Common Core, and state standards?
What makes Close Up’s resources unique?
I’m new to Close Up’s resources – where is the best place to get started?
What additional resources does Close Up offer and how do I subscribe?