A Structured Academic Controversy is a strategy that requires students to retrieve evidence from text, engage in perspective taking, and build consensus through listening and restating. Full directions and graphic organizers can be downloaded here.
Below are some of the texts I use. Other great ideas can be found at www.ProjectTahoe.org.
Is bottled water a better choice than tap water?
CNN Video on bottled water
Ban bottled water text with task for bottled water
Bottled Water Association Text
Should schools allow classroom pets?
Pets enhance learning with graphic organizer
Leave animals out of the classroom article
Having a pet in the classroom
Should lunches from home be banned?
Home lunches: OK or Outrageous?
School lunches are healthier
Parents aren’t fans of banning lunches
Are Zoos good or bad?
Text with task
Lifespan of elephants chart
The Swazi Eleven
Room 360 