Author Description

Designed for teachers of students in grades 5-12, the guide provides over 25 lesson plans and 45 student handouts for teaching units on conflict, nuclear war, and future studies. In the first unit, students define conflict, learn conflict-related vocabulary, illustrate knowledge of conflict types through the use of cartoons, recognize common elements of conflict, role play conflict situations, perceive situations from varying viewpoints, discover conflict resolution strategies, and acquaint themselves with the Cuban Missile Crisis and the concept of escalation. The nuclear war unit introduces students to moral dilemmas related to conflict and nuclear war topics, nuclear war vocabulary, differing views regarding nuclear strength, speculations on the future of the nuclear arms race, possible effects of nuclear war, and civil defense. Students locate member nations of NATO and the Warsaw Pact, learn about the nuclear weapons freeze through debate, express personal opinions related to nuclear war, and brainstorm reasons for pursuing a hopeful future. In addition to lesson plans and student handouts, reproductions of documents related to nuclear war topics are included. In the final unit on future studies, students envision a post-nuclear holocaust world, compare personal futures with futures of the world, recognize the effects of rapid changes, speculate on jobs and skills needed in the future, consider possible future problems, participate in decision making activities and debates, and synthesize previous lessons. Each lesson plan lists objectives, grade level, time requirements, materials, procedures, and follow-up activities. (LH)