This two-day lesson introduces some of the ideas of synthesizing from various sources.  It uses a current debate with which the students weren't overly familiar - the debate over child vaccinations. We read several different articles, watch an interview, and use templates from "They Say/I Say" to incorporate different parts of the broader conversation.  

Objectives:
We will evaluate how messages in media reflect social and cultural views.
We will evaluate changes in formality and tone across various media for different audiences and purposes.
We will draft a clear thesis statement based on logical reasons supported by relevant evidence.
We will analyze the credibility of an argument based on the cited evidence and appeals (pathos/logos/ethos).

This week-long project allows students to explore different people and populations in the European Age of Exploration, while having choice over their method of presentation.

Objectives:
We will identify major causes and describe major effects of European exploration and the Columbian exchange/European expansion.
We will compare major political, economic, social, and cultural developments of the Maya, Inca, Aztec civilizations and explain how prior civilizations influenced their development.
We will explain how the Inca and Aztec empires were impacted by European exploration/colonization.
We will summarize the major ideas in astronomy, mathematics, and architectural engineering that developed in the Maya, Inca, and Aztec civilizations.
We will utilize various resources to research topics and depict the information in a variety of media, including slideshows, writing, and posters.