News and Professional Development Activities
for Illinois Social Studies Teachers
for Illinois Social Studies Teachers
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Social Studies News and Opportunities
The annual Conference on Illinois History is scheduled for October 4-5, 2018, at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library in downtown Springfield and is the state's largest meeting devoted to the history of the Prairie State.
The conference includes sessions that feature topics such as Abraham Lincoln, archaeology, Civil War, digital resources, early statehood, immigrations, museums, politics, race and popular culture. The mid-day presentation on Thursday is a roundtable discussion on Illinois Bicentennial Exhibits and will include speakers from prominent state museums and archives. On Friday Frank Cicero Jr. author ofCreating the Land of Lincoln: The History and Constitutions of Illinois, 1778-1870,describes the events of April 1818 that shaped the State of Illinois. Teachers will benefit from workshops on a variety of topics.
TEACHERS: To receive CPDUs for the conference, teachers MUST have their Educator Identification Number when signing in at the conference. If you have questions, contact the Education Department at 217-558-8935.
The program can be viewed at: https://www2.illinois.gov/alplm/library/programs/Documents/conference18.pdf
On-line registration available at www.presidentlincoln.illinois.gov (click on “special events tickets”).
CONTACT INFO
217-524-6045 |Shanta.Thoele@illinois.gov | www.PresidentLincoln.Illinois.gov
The conference includes sessions that feature topics such as Abraham Lincoln, archaeology, Civil War, digital resources, early statehood, immigrations, museums, politics, race and popular culture. The mid-day presentation on Thursday is a roundtable discussion on Illinois Bicentennial Exhibits and will include speakers from prominent state museums and archives. On Friday Frank Cicero Jr. author ofCreating the Land of Lincoln: The History and Constitutions of Illinois, 1778-1870,describes the events of April 1818 that shaped the State of Illinois. Teachers will benefit from workshops on a variety of topics.
TEACHERS: To receive CPDUs for the conference, teachers MUST have their Educator Identification Number when signing in at the conference. If you have questions, contact the Education Department at 217-558-8935.
The program can be viewed at: https://www2.illinois.gov/alplm/library/programs/Documents/conference18.pdf
On-line registration available at www.presidentlincoln.illinois.gov (click on “special events tickets”).
CONTACT INFO
217-524-6045 |Shanta.Thoele@illinois.gov | www.PresidentLincoln.Illinois.gov
Fund Your School's Kids to Parks Day Trip
National Park Trust (NPT) invites students across the country to participate in the 9th annual Kids to Parks
Day (KTP). KTP is a nationwide grassroots movement to celebrate America’s parks and public lands and
waters. To inspire kids and schools to explore outdoors, we also host the Kids to Parks Day National School
Contest, which is NOW OPEN! If you work at or attend a Title I school, you are eligible to enter and win up to
$1,000 to fund your dream park experience.
The deadline for entries is Thursday, February 14, 2019. Winners will be announced on the website Thursday, March 7, 2019.
Click here to learn more about the contest, download the entry form, and watch our school video from last
year!
Questions? Contact Billy Schrack, (william@parktrust.org) or Katie Zimmerman, (katie@parktrust.org) or
call 301-279-7275. Or if you would like to help sponsor this program, contact Maryann Kearns
(maryann@parktrust.org).”
National Park Trust (NPT) invites students across the country to participate in the 9th annual Kids to Parks
Day (KTP). KTP is a nationwide grassroots movement to celebrate America’s parks and public lands and
waters. To inspire kids and schools to explore outdoors, we also host the Kids to Parks Day National School
Contest, which is NOW OPEN! If you work at or attend a Title I school, you are eligible to enter and win up to
$1,000 to fund your dream park experience.
The deadline for entries is Thursday, February 14, 2019. Winners will be announced on the website Thursday, March 7, 2019.
Click here to learn more about the contest, download the entry form, and watch our school video from last
year!
Questions? Contact Billy Schrack, (william@parktrust.org) or Katie Zimmerman, (katie@parktrust.org) or
call 301-279-7275. Or if you would like to help sponsor this program, contact Maryann Kearns
(maryann@parktrust.org).”
Earn professional development hours or university credit with Population Education this Fall!
Population Education is excited to announce that registration is open for our fall 2018 online professional development course for science and social studies educators of grades 6-12! The eight-week course runs from October 15 – December 7, 2018. Discover student-centered learning strategies that use contemporary issues and real-world data to examine the social and environmental impacts of human population and engage in meaningful dialogue with teachers across the world. The course is asynchronous, which means students can work at their own leisure and pace. There are weekly discussion boards and journals, and a final project, all built to provide participants with meaningful feedback and materials to use within their own educational setting.
- Choose to earn 3 graduate credits from Adams State University or 45 professional development clock hours (4.5 CEUs) for completing the full eight weeks.
- The cost is $80.00 for CEUs or $165.00 for CEUs plus graduate credit
- The class will be capped at 30 participants, so don’t wait to sign up
Government and Guns Part I: Seize the Teaching Moment
from Socrates Questions blog by Dan Fouts
Sometimes Big Questions don’t direct learning; they emerge from it.
Lost in thought and feelings of despair over the latest tragedy in Florida, I decided to ditch my regularly scheduled government programming and opt instead to hold a congressional hearing simulation on gun control. My classroom will become the Senate Judiciary Committee considering a bill called the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act. This bill passed the House of Representatives in the fall and is slated for debate in the Senate this spring. In a nutshell, the bill says that any person from a state which has legalized concealed carry can travel into any state which has outlawed the practice. Essentially then, should this bill become law, a person’s right to concealed carry would have to be honored by all 50 states. Students assume the roles of actual Senate Judiciary Committee members who question other students who are playing the role of interest group representatives giving testimony on their positions for and against the bill.
With this latest tragedy fresh in the minds of legislators, the chances of this bill passing the Senate are slim. Yet, this activity is a valuable chance to explore why it is so hard for our society to agree on gun issues. Also, this is a golden opportunity to dive deeper into how all aspects of our government work together to try to address problems.
Consider just some of the areas of government touched by this issue:
What about the Big Questions?
After the simulation is over, each student will generate a Big Question about the gun issue which emerged as a result of what they learned during the simulation. It’s hard to predict exactly what the students will want to ask but I’m confident the questions will lend fresh perspectives on an issue whose resolution is long overdue.
In the next post I will share some of their Big Questions!
If you try this activity out, let me know how it goes! @dmfouts
from Socrates Questions blog by Dan Fouts
from Socrates Questions blog by Dan Fouts
Sometimes Big Questions don’t direct learning; they emerge from it.
Lost in thought and feelings of despair over the latest tragedy in Florida, I decided to ditch my regularly scheduled government programming and opt instead to hold a congressional hearing simulation on gun control. My classroom will become the Senate Judiciary Committee considering a bill called the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act. This bill passed the House of Representatives in the fall and is slated for debate in the Senate this spring. In a nutshell, the bill says that any person from a state which has legalized concealed carry can travel into any state which has outlawed the practice. Essentially then, should this bill become law, a person’s right to concealed carry would have to be honored by all 50 states. Students assume the roles of actual Senate Judiciary Committee members who question other students who are playing the role of interest group representatives giving testimony on their positions for and against the bill.
With this latest tragedy fresh in the minds of legislators, the chances of this bill passing the Senate are slim. Yet, this activity is a valuable chance to explore why it is so hard for our society to agree on gun issues. Also, this is a golden opportunity to dive deeper into how all aspects of our government work together to try to address problems.
Consider just some of the areas of government touched by this issue:
- Civil liberties (2nd Amendment)
- Supreme Court ( U.S. v. Heller and McDonald v. Chicago )
- Congress (bicameral legislature, filibuster, hearing, committees, mark-up)
- Political parties and ideology (liberal, conservative, polarization, single-issue voters, party discipline)
- Interest groups (information, advocacy, upper-class bias)
- Campaigns and Elections (Pacs and SuperPacs, Citizens United, FEC)
- Federalism (full-faith and credit clause, 10th Amendment, 14th Amendment selective incorporation)
- Presidency (informal/formal powers, executive orders)
What about the Big Questions?
After the simulation is over, each student will generate a Big Question about the gun issue which emerged as a result of what they learned during the simulation. It’s hard to predict exactly what the students will want to ask but I’m confident the questions will lend fresh perspectives on an issue whose resolution is long overdue.
In the next post I will share some of their Big Questions!
If you try this activity out, let me know how it goes! @dmfouts
from Socrates Questions blog by Dan Fouts
Illinois Mock Trial Teams
The Illinois Trial Team is a highly competitive collegiate mock trial team representing the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Having competed in the national collegiate mock trial tournament this past year, the team is composed of some of the top competitors in the collegiate mock trial circuit, and is coached by real attorneys and law school faculty alike. The team is currently in the process of developing a high school mock trial clinic aimed at giving Illinois competitors the opportunity to learn the skills and techniques which have led to our team’s success, including various tournament wins, attorney awards, and witness awards. This year, we plan on holding a reduced fee pilot program in preparation for a larger clinic next year. We are looking to receive feedback which will help shape our program, as well as gauge interest. If you are interested, please fill out the Google Form below. Any other questions regarding the program can be addressed to Vanessa Aceves at illinoistrialteam.vpe@gmail.com. Your feedback is much appreciated!
Link to feedback survey: https://goo.gl/forms/GmCzFrWqIHlV2Qt03
Jack Duffley
Illinois Trial Team | President
Katy Karayannis
Illinois State Bar Association | High School Mock Trial Invitational
Mock Trial Coordinator
The Illinois Trial Team is a highly competitive collegiate mock trial team representing the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Having competed in the national collegiate mock trial tournament this past year, the team is composed of some of the top competitors in the collegiate mock trial circuit, and is coached by real attorneys and law school faculty alike. The team is currently in the process of developing a high school mock trial clinic aimed at giving Illinois competitors the opportunity to learn the skills and techniques which have led to our team’s success, including various tournament wins, attorney awards, and witness awards. This year, we plan on holding a reduced fee pilot program in preparation for a larger clinic next year. We are looking to receive feedback which will help shape our program, as well as gauge interest. If you are interested, please fill out the Google Form below. Any other questions regarding the program can be addressed to Vanessa Aceves at illinoistrialteam.vpe@gmail.com. Your feedback is much appreciated!
Link to feedback survey: https://goo.gl/forms/GmCzFrWqIHlV2Qt03
Jack Duffley
Illinois Trial Team | President
Katy Karayannis
Illinois State Bar Association | High School Mock Trial Invitational
Mock Trial Coordinator
We need your help to turn our collection of handwritten correspondence between anti-slavery activists in the 19th century into texts that can be more easily read and researched by students, teachers, historians, and big data applications. In this project, we’re asking our volunteers to help transcribe Boston Public Library’s extensive collection of handwritten correspondence between anti-slavery activists in the 19th century into texts that can be more easily read and researched by students, teachers, historians, and big data applications.
Get involved right now at www.antislaverymanuscripts.org!
Echoes & Reflections is the premiere source for Holocaust education and professional development which utilizes the unparalleled expertise and resources from three world leaders in education: the Anti-Defamation League, USC Shoah Foundation, and Yad Vashem, to empower teachers and students with the insight needed to question the past and foresight to impact the future.
They offer an array of webinars, which are also free.
Contact:
Ben Tanzer
Ben Tanzer|Director of Marketing and Communications, Echoes & Reflections
120 S. LaSalle Street, Suite 1150 I Chicago, IL 60603
Office: 312-533-3924 I Cell: 312-622-3536 I Fax: 312-782-1142 I btanzer@adl.org
They offer an array of webinars, which are also free.
Contact:
Ben Tanzer
Ben Tanzer|Director of Marketing and Communications, Echoes & Reflections
120 S. LaSalle Street, Suite 1150 I Chicago, IL 60603
Office: 312-533-3924 I Cell: 312-622-3536 I Fax: 312-782-1142 I btanzer@adl.org
WWW Virtual Library: International Affairs Resources is a cost-free academic Internet directory that is part of the volunteer-run WWW Virtual Library System, with over 2000 carefully selected, annotated links in 34 international affairs categories. It is frequently maintained, receives worldwide use daily, and is designed for teachers, scholars, students, researchers, diplomats, and the interested public, among others.
This Virtual Library would be useful to high school social studies and foreign language teachers. This directory is supported by Elizabethtown College, PA, USA and has recently relocated to https://internationalaffairsresources.com. All external links to any former URLs of this site since 1999 will automatically be forwarded to the new URLs.
Users of this Virtual library can identify cost-free, authoritative, reliable, ongoing sources of statistics, information, and analysis in International Studies, worthy of regular consultation, and also benefit from general tips for more effective Internet use in academics and in serious international studies research. Please note the “Tips for Quality Internet Research in International Studies” section on the index page.
The site is linked on hundreds of library, university, governmental, military, NGO, and IGO websites, including Oxford University’s Bodleian Library (http://ox.libguides.com/c.php?g=422732&p=2886656) and Sciences Po (http://sciencespo.libguides.com/science-politique/relations_internationales-defense), France’s top Political Science program. With the search term “resources for international relations students,” as well as several others, it is usually in the Top Ten on Google. Individual pages are also well-ranked under their relevant search terms. It was recently noted at http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2017/10/the-www-virtual-library-international.html and www.educatorstechnology.com/2017/10/7-good-new-edtech-tools-to-try-out.html.
Professor Wayne A. Selcher, Ph.D.
Professor of International Studies Emeritus
Department of Politics, Philosophy, and Legal Studies
Nicarry Hall
Elizabethtown College
One Alpha Drive
Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania 17022-2298
U.S.A.
Editor, WWW Virtual Library: International Affairs Resources since 1999
Homepage: https://internationalaffairsresources.com/about
This Virtual Library would be useful to high school social studies and foreign language teachers. This directory is supported by Elizabethtown College, PA, USA and has recently relocated to https://internationalaffairsresources.com. All external links to any former URLs of this site since 1999 will automatically be forwarded to the new URLs.
Users of this Virtual library can identify cost-free, authoritative, reliable, ongoing sources of statistics, information, and analysis in International Studies, worthy of regular consultation, and also benefit from general tips for more effective Internet use in academics and in serious international studies research. Please note the “Tips for Quality Internet Research in International Studies” section on the index page.
The site is linked on hundreds of library, university, governmental, military, NGO, and IGO websites, including Oxford University’s Bodleian Library (http://ox.libguides.com/c.php?g=422732&p=2886656) and Sciences Po (http://sciencespo.libguides.com/science-politique/relations_internationales-defense), France’s top Political Science program. With the search term “resources for international relations students,” as well as several others, it is usually in the Top Ten on Google. Individual pages are also well-ranked under their relevant search terms. It was recently noted at http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2017/10/the-www-virtual-library-international.html and www.educatorstechnology.com/2017/10/7-good-new-edtech-tools-to-try-out.html.
Professor Wayne A. Selcher, Ph.D.
Professor of International Studies Emeritus
Department of Politics, Philosophy, and Legal Studies
Nicarry Hall
Elizabethtown College
One Alpha Drive
Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania 17022-2298
U.S.A.
Editor, WWW Virtual Library: International Affairs Resources since 1999
Homepage: https://internationalaffairsresources.com/about
Founded in 2011, The Center for Reflective Citizenship (CRC) is a unit of UTC’s College of Health, Education, and Professional Studies. The CRC is dedicated to the revitalization of civic education in American schools and universities, and the equipping of a new generation of thoughtful citizens for the practice of democracy. The CRC, directed by Lucien Ellington, has an interdisciplinary focus.
Learn about our first extensive digital publication for teachers: 2017 Faculty Fellow American History and Government Teaching Modules!
The instructional modules, available at no charge, encompass a variety of significant themes, but all modules share the following commonalities:
For a succinct overview of the ten teaching modules, please see our module digest 2017 Faculty Fellow American History and Government Teaching Modules Digest.
Complete modules may be accessed at https://www.utc.edu/center-reflective-citizenship/#li01
Lucien Ellington: Director of the Center for Reflective Citizenship
Jeffrey Melnik: Assistant Director of the Center for Reflective Citizenship
305 Hunter Hall, Dept. 2222
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Chattanooga, TN 37403
Phone (423) 425-2118, Fax (423)425-5441, Email edast@utc.edu
Learn about our first extensive digital publication for teachers: 2017 Faculty Fellow American History and Government Teaching Modules!
The instructional modules, available at no charge, encompass a variety of significant themes, but all modules share the following commonalities:
- An emphasis upon rich and intellectually engaging American history and government content
- Are designed to be taught in two-four hours of class time.
- Include exemplary digital resources and practical pedagogical strategies
- Fellows first taught extensive early versions of their modules and subsequently made modifications
- Faculty Fellows working with CRC staff further refined and augmented all modules
- Modules are focused but flexible; revisions resulted in more instructional options
For a succinct overview of the ten teaching modules, please see our module digest 2017 Faculty Fellow American History and Government Teaching Modules Digest.
Complete modules may be accessed at https://www.utc.edu/center-reflective-citizenship/#li01
Lucien Ellington: Director of the Center for Reflective Citizenship
Jeffrey Melnik: Assistant Director of the Center for Reflective Citizenship
305 Hunter Hall, Dept. 2222
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Chattanooga, TN 37403
Phone (423) 425-2118, Fax (423)425-5441, Email edast@utc.edu
Beyond Words
Library of Congress Transcription Project
The Library of Congress invites you to help us in the effort to take newspapers Beyond Words. Join us to identify and improve information about illustrated newspapers in the Chronicling America digital collection. This brand new pilot project offers you the opportunity to explore historical newspaper coverage of World War I and contribute to Library of Congress collections at the same time.
This project from LC Labs is an experiment in crowdsourcing and community engagement. Our goals are to gather more structured and usable metadata about the illustrations, comics, cartoons, and photographs in these newspapers; and to learn how to better connect to people who are interested in our collections.
To help us reach our goal -- and to help ensure accuracy -- we've broken the work into 3 free-standing tasks. These tasks follow a sequence, but they can be performed independently. Feel free to focus on the one you enjoy the most!
The information that is created through this project is being made available for download as data sets and for exploration via keyword search in the Gallery.
Library of Congress Transcription Project
The Library of Congress invites you to help us in the effort to take newspapers Beyond Words. Join us to identify and improve information about illustrated newspapers in the Chronicling America digital collection. This brand new pilot project offers you the opportunity to explore historical newspaper coverage of World War I and contribute to Library of Congress collections at the same time.
This project from LC Labs is an experiment in crowdsourcing and community engagement. Our goals are to gather more structured and usable metadata about the illustrations, comics, cartoons, and photographs in these newspapers; and to learn how to better connect to people who are interested in our collections.
To help us reach our goal -- and to help ensure accuracy -- we've broken the work into 3 free-standing tasks. These tasks follow a sequence, but they can be performed independently. Feel free to focus on the one you enjoy the most!
The information that is created through this project is being made available for download as data sets and for exploration via keyword search in the Gallery.
Travel the world affordably, earn professional development credit, and bring global understanding into your classroom!
Founded in 2007, Global Exploration for Educators Organization (GEEO) is a 501c3 non-profit organization that has sent over 2000 teachers abroad on adventurous travel programs. With GEEO educators can earn professional development credit while seeing the world. GEEO's trips are 7 to 21 days in length and are designed and discounted to be interesting and affordable for teachers. In addition to amazing tour leaders, many of the programs are accompanied by university faculty that are experts on the destination. The deposit is $250 for each program and then the final payment is due 60 days before departure.
GEEO also provides teachers educational materials and the structure to help them bring their experiences into the classroom. The trips are open to all nationalities of K-12 and university educators, administrators, retired educators, as well as educators’ guests.
GEEO is offering the following travel programs for 2018: Argentina and Brazil, Bangkok to Hanoi, Colombia, Camino de Santiago, Eastern Europe, The Galapagos Islands, Greece, Iceland, India and Nepal, Madagascar, Ireland, Armenia and Georgia, Paris to Rome, Multi-Stan, Sri Lanka and The Maldives, Morocco, Peru, Vietnam/Cambodia, and, The Balkans.
Detailed information about each trip, including itineraries, costs, travel dates, and more can be found at www.geeo.org. GEEO can be reached 7 days a week, toll-free at 1-877-600-0105 between 9 AM-9 PM EST.
--
Jesse Weisz
Executive Director, GEEO Teacher Travel Programs
Phone: 1-877-600-0105
Email: jesse@geeo.org
Website: www.geeo.org
Founded in 2007, Global Exploration for Educators Organization (GEEO) is a 501c3 non-profit organization that has sent over 2000 teachers abroad on adventurous travel programs. With GEEO educators can earn professional development credit while seeing the world. GEEO's trips are 7 to 21 days in length and are designed and discounted to be interesting and affordable for teachers. In addition to amazing tour leaders, many of the programs are accompanied by university faculty that are experts on the destination. The deposit is $250 for each program and then the final payment is due 60 days before departure.
GEEO also provides teachers educational materials and the structure to help them bring their experiences into the classroom. The trips are open to all nationalities of K-12 and university educators, administrators, retired educators, as well as educators’ guests.
GEEO is offering the following travel programs for 2018: Argentina and Brazil, Bangkok to Hanoi, Colombia, Camino de Santiago, Eastern Europe, The Galapagos Islands, Greece, Iceland, India and Nepal, Madagascar, Ireland, Armenia and Georgia, Paris to Rome, Multi-Stan, Sri Lanka and The Maldives, Morocco, Peru, Vietnam/Cambodia, and, The Balkans.
Detailed information about each trip, including itineraries, costs, travel dates, and more can be found at www.geeo.org. GEEO can be reached 7 days a week, toll-free at 1-877-600-0105 between 9 AM-9 PM EST.
--
Jesse Weisz
Executive Director, GEEO Teacher Travel Programs
Phone: 1-877-600-0105
Email: jesse@geeo.org
Website: www.geeo.org
Big Questions Blog from ICSS member Dan Fouts.
This blog celebrates the power of Big Questions. Discover lucid examples of Big Questions and resources that inspire teachers & students.
Dan has been teaching high school in the Chicagoland area since 1993 using Big Questions in his AP Government, US history and philosophy classes.
https://socratesquestions.wordpress.com/
This blog celebrates the power of Big Questions. Discover lucid examples of Big Questions and resources that inspire teachers & students.
Dan has been teaching high school in the Chicagoland area since 1993 using Big Questions in his AP Government, US history and philosophy classes.
https://socratesquestions.wordpress.com/
1. The World of 7 Billion student video contest is back for the 2017-2018 school year! Would you consider helping us spread the word to Illinois teachers?
The contest is open to all middle and high school students worldwide and the deadline for submissions is February 22nd, 2018. We’re hoping that by giving teachers enough lead time, they’ll be able to incorporate the contest into their syllabi. Participating teachers receive free curriculum resources and the student winners receive cash prizes.
Here's how you can help let teachers know about the contest:
Below you’ll find share-friendly blurbs/posts tailored to different sharing platforms. Feel free to edit them as you see fit, or let me know if you’d like a write-up with a different length or twist. We’re also happy to mail you copies if the official contest flyer for you to share!
2. People and the Planet, our new and improved middle school curriculum resource, fully accessible online, is available now. Through 41 innovative activities, 18 readings, and 31 infographics, students explore contemporary issues like climate change, water scarcity, global wealth inequality, and more. Hands-on strategies keep students engaged, while an emphasis on analysis and real-world problem solving make the activities ideal for addressing standards. Free sample lesson plans are available to download, and the curriculum can be purchased by thematic unit or as a whole from the PopEd website.
Contact:
Ben Allen
Population Education Fellow
Population Education
World of 7 Billion: www.Worldof7Billion.org
Population Education: www.PopulationEducation.org
The contest is open to all middle and high school students worldwide and the deadline for submissions is February 22nd, 2018. We’re hoping that by giving teachers enough lead time, they’ll be able to incorporate the contest into their syllabi. Participating teachers receive free curriculum resources and the student winners receive cash prizes.
Here's how you can help let teachers know about the contest:
- Include a blurb in your next member newsletter or other association outreach
- Post about the contest on your website
- Send an email to your ListServ
- Share on facebook, twitter, or any other social media
Below you’ll find share-friendly blurbs/posts tailored to different sharing platforms. Feel free to edit them as you see fit, or let me know if you’d like a write-up with a different length or twist. We’re also happy to mail you copies if the official contest flyer for you to share!
2. People and the Planet, our new and improved middle school curriculum resource, fully accessible online, is available now. Through 41 innovative activities, 18 readings, and 31 infographics, students explore contemporary issues like climate change, water scarcity, global wealth inequality, and more. Hands-on strategies keep students engaged, while an emphasis on analysis and real-world problem solving make the activities ideal for addressing standards. Free sample lesson plans are available to download, and the curriculum can be purchased by thematic unit or as a whole from the PopEd website.
Contact:
Ben Allen
Population Education Fellow
Population Education
World of 7 Billion: www.Worldof7Billion.org
Population Education: www.PopulationEducation.org
Teaching American History.org is excited to unveil another great resource for teachers and students! We’re offering free American History Toolkits to help you teach several major eras and topics in our Nation’s history.
Toolkits are topically-focused collections, each made up of resources from around TeachingAmericanHistory.org, and organized to provide for easy access to a variety of materials.
Topics include:
- The American Founding
- Expansion & Sectionalism
- Civil War & Reconstruction
- The Progressive Era
- The Great Depression and World War 2
- Civil Rights
Each Toolkit contains:
- Guiding Questions for the topic as a whole, with criteria for good answers
- A curated list of 10 essential documents from TAH.org’s Document Library
- Relevant Webinars, Podcasts, and YouTube videos
- Other documents-based resources from around TAH.org
- Lesson Plans that complement the documents and more!
To learn more and download your free Toolkits, visit: http://teachingamericanhistory.org/toolkits/
Our whole purpose at TeachingAmericanHistory.org is to provide teachers like you with resources you need to thrive. We hope you (and your students) will find these Toolkits useful classroom resources.
Order your FREE American Presidents Timeline Poster! Our free American Presidents Timeline poster is available for order. All orders received by Thursday, August 3 will be processed and shipped next week.
This colorful 6' long poster details the lives and public service careers of every president, plus key historical events, Supreme Court cases, Constitutional Amendments, and technology milestones throughout history.
To reserve yours, simply visit our Special Offers page, log-in, and click on "Get This Offer." The poster is FREE of charge to C-SPAN Classroom members (* limit of one poster per member and only available to members residing in the U.S. and territories).
Already ordered a copy earlier in the spring but never received it? Simply email us at educate@c-span.org with your preferred postal information and we'll get another one in the mail.
C-SPAN Education Department
400 N. Capitol St. NW, Washington, DC 20001
800-523-7586
www.c-span.org/classroom
Dear Illinois Global Scholar supporter,
Last October we asked for your votes and thanks to you we are rolling out the first of several programs for Illinois students! Please take a look at the following information and kindly share the news with K-12 educators and community leaders or consider participating yourself!
Message follows...
With the school year approaching, teachers may be looking for opportunities for their students to learn while giving back. Look no more! With your help we were able to secure funding from Farmers Insurance and are pleased to introduce Illinois Waterway Cleanup Week, September 10-16. This week-long initiative provides an opportunity for educators and students all over the state to work together to make an impact on our state's waterways! Community groups, park districts, municipalities and other organizations are also invited to participate so long as youth are engaged!
Participating is free and can be as easy as a teacher leading a group of students in a cleanup in the neighborhood around their school. If you want to take it further, apply for a $500 grant to organize a community cleanup! Either way, technology can make it easy for students to become active service learners and citizen scientists:
To find out more, access our flyer and the Illinois Waterway Cleanup Toolkit. Need help or more information? Register now or
contact us at waterwaycleanup@global-illinois.org or visit our website at www.IllinoisGlobalScholar.org.
Being a teacher myself, I know there is a lot of interest in service-learning, citizen science, and UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). I also know that many students want to contribute. Please consider participating in Illinois Waterway Cleanup Week yourself and spread the word through social media or by forwarding this email with a personal note attached!
Thank you!
Seth Brady
Project Director, Illinois Global Scholar
Full-time Teacher, Naperville Central High School
Last October we asked for your votes and thanks to you we are rolling out the first of several programs for Illinois students! Please take a look at the following information and kindly share the news with K-12 educators and community leaders or consider participating yourself!
Message follows...
With the school year approaching, teachers may be looking for opportunities for their students to learn while giving back. Look no more! With your help we were able to secure funding from Farmers Insurance and are pleased to introduce Illinois Waterway Cleanup Week, September 10-16. This week-long initiative provides an opportunity for educators and students all over the state to work together to make an impact on our state's waterways! Community groups, park districts, municipalities and other organizations are also invited to participate so long as youth are engaged!
Participating is free and can be as easy as a teacher leading a group of students in a cleanup in the neighborhood around their school. If you want to take it further, apply for a $500 grant to organize a community cleanup! Either way, technology can make it easy for students to become active service learners and citizen scientists:
- Use the Clean Swell App to record trash-pickup data in real-time!
- See the impact of your cleanup on Ocean Conservancy’s worldwide map
- Access data from the 800,000+ people participating in similar cleanups worldwide!
- Utilize K-12 curricula to teach watershed literacy (available mid-August) on our website
- Learn how to partner with a classroom doing the same project in another part of the world!
To find out more, access our flyer and the Illinois Waterway Cleanup Toolkit. Need help or more information? Register now or
contact us at waterwaycleanup@global-illinois.org or visit our website at www.IllinoisGlobalScholar.org.
Being a teacher myself, I know there is a lot of interest in service-learning, citizen science, and UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). I also know that many students want to contribute. Please consider participating in Illinois Waterway Cleanup Week yourself and spread the word through social media or by forwarding this email with a personal note attached!
Thank you!
Seth Brady
Project Director, Illinois Global Scholar
Full-time Teacher, Naperville Central High School
Illinois Students' Advocacy Inspires Explorers Week
Last October, seventh-graders at an Illinois middle school petitioned their school board to change Columbus Day to Explorers Day. Their efforts have led the district to create an Explorers Week so that students can learn about the contributions of many different explorers.
Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, Ill.)
Last October, seventh-graders at an Illinois middle school petitioned their school board to change Columbus Day to Explorers Day. Their efforts have led the district to create an Explorers Week so that students can learn about the contributions of many different explorers.
Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, Ill.)
HEROES ON DECK: World War II on Lake Michigan
Narrated by Bill Kurtis, this documentary explores the little-known chapter of WWII history immediately following the attack at Pearl Harbor that took place just off Chicago's shores. With enemy submarines patrolling both east & west coasts, Lake Michigan was chosen as a safe place for the location to train more than 15,000 aviators for eventual carrier based duty in the Pacific, including future president George H. W. Bush. Neophyte pilots and unforgiving weather conditions on the lake contributed to hundreds of accidents. As a result more than 100 WWII aircraft sank to the bottom of Lake Michigan.
HEROES ON DECK is the story of Chicago during wartime, a bold and innovative training plan, brave pilots, and the recovery of several historic aircraft. HEROES ON DECK, brings to life a vital episode of American history.
NYTimes Review: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/26/arts/television/tv-review-pbs-heroes-on-deck.html?mwrsm=Email
Chicago Tribune Review: http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/tv/ct-heroes-on-deck-ent-0526-20160525-column.html
Here is a password protected link to the 56 min doc on vimeo:
https://vimeo.com/155351026
password: review
There is also have a shorter, 42 minute version that may be more suitable for class discussion time frames.
Contact: Harvey Moshman, Executive Producer
HEROES ON DECK: World War II on Lake Michigan
hmoshman@gmail.com
www.heroesondeck.com
Narrated by Bill Kurtis, this documentary explores the little-known chapter of WWII history immediately following the attack at Pearl Harbor that took place just off Chicago's shores. With enemy submarines patrolling both east & west coasts, Lake Michigan was chosen as a safe place for the location to train more than 15,000 aviators for eventual carrier based duty in the Pacific, including future president George H. W. Bush. Neophyte pilots and unforgiving weather conditions on the lake contributed to hundreds of accidents. As a result more than 100 WWII aircraft sank to the bottom of Lake Michigan.
HEROES ON DECK is the story of Chicago during wartime, a bold and innovative training plan, brave pilots, and the recovery of several historic aircraft. HEROES ON DECK, brings to life a vital episode of American history.
NYTimes Review: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/26/arts/television/tv-review-pbs-heroes-on-deck.html?mwrsm=Email
Chicago Tribune Review: http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/tv/ct-heroes-on-deck-ent-0526-20160525-column.html
Here is a password protected link to the 56 min doc on vimeo:
https://vimeo.com/155351026
password: review
There is also have a shorter, 42 minute version that may be more suitable for class discussion time frames.
Contact: Harvey Moshman, Executive Producer
HEROES ON DECK: World War II on Lake Michigan
hmoshman@gmail.com
www.heroesondeck.com
New Free Video Series from Bowdoin College:
Founding Principles: American Governance in Theory and Action
A new series of short videos is being offered free of charge by Bowdoin College as its contribution to a national effort aimed at improving civics education in the United States. Titled “Founding Principles: American Governance in Theory and Action,” the series comprises a total of fifteen episodes, each eleven to fifteen minutes in length, that serve as a readily available instructive tool for use in classrooms and by anyone interested in better understanding the American system of government.
Written and narrated by Bowdoin College Government Professor Andrew Rudalevige, “Founding Principles” provides an introductory, non-partisan overview and basic understanding of American government—how it was formed, how it works, and how everyone can participate. The series was produced by Bowdoin with technical support from students at Emerson College.
During this pivotal election year, “Founding Principles” serves as a valuable resource in educating and informing current and future voters, building citizen-leaders, and promoting civic engagement. The series is currently being used in classrooms across New England with very positive feedback.
We at the college find it invaluable if you would share with your member base via an eNewsletter or on your website so that interested teachers can access it for this upcoming election season lesson plan. We have strong support from DOEs here in New England and teachers are loving this tool. If you could make teachers aware we would appreciate it!
TO ACCESS VIDEO SERIES: http://www.bowdoin.edu/founding-principles/index.shtml
Founding Principles: American Governance in Theory and Action
A new series of short videos is being offered free of charge by Bowdoin College as its contribution to a national effort aimed at improving civics education in the United States. Titled “Founding Principles: American Governance in Theory and Action,” the series comprises a total of fifteen episodes, each eleven to fifteen minutes in length, that serve as a readily available instructive tool for use in classrooms and by anyone interested in better understanding the American system of government.
Written and narrated by Bowdoin College Government Professor Andrew Rudalevige, “Founding Principles” provides an introductory, non-partisan overview and basic understanding of American government—how it was formed, how it works, and how everyone can participate. The series was produced by Bowdoin with technical support from students at Emerson College.
During this pivotal election year, “Founding Principles” serves as a valuable resource in educating and informing current and future voters, building citizen-leaders, and promoting civic engagement. The series is currently being used in classrooms across New England with very positive feedback.
We at the college find it invaluable if you would share with your member base via an eNewsletter or on your website so that interested teachers can access it for this upcoming election season lesson plan. We have strong support from DOEs here in New England and teachers are loving this tool. If you could make teachers aware we would appreciate it!
TO ACCESS VIDEO SERIES: http://www.bowdoin.edu/founding-principles/index.shtml
NCSS Committees
Be an NCSS Leader!
Serve on an NCSS Operations CommitteeOperations committees carry out board-mandated operations, duties, and policies, as well as many of the necessary business and organizational functions of NCSS. Operations committees relate their work to Board directives, the long-range plan of NCSS, and the leadership theme of the year set by the Board. They make recommendations to the board and provide advice.
You must be a member of NCSS to serve on a committee, serving on one committee at any time. NCSS is committed to expanding participation of underrepresented groups. Beginning teachers, elementary teachers, and minorities are encouraged to apply. Appointments will be made by the House of Delegates in November and NCSS President-Elect in June for terms that will begin the following July 1.
Online Committee Application
Be an NCSS Leader!
Serve on an NCSS Operations CommitteeOperations committees carry out board-mandated operations, duties, and policies, as well as many of the necessary business and organizational functions of NCSS. Operations committees relate their work to Board directives, the long-range plan of NCSS, and the leadership theme of the year set by the Board. They make recommendations to the board and provide advice.
You must be a member of NCSS to serve on a committee, serving on one committee at any time. NCSS is committed to expanding participation of underrepresented groups. Beginning teachers, elementary teachers, and minorities are encouraged to apply. Appointments will be made by the House of Delegates in November and NCSS President-Elect in June for terms that will begin the following July 1.
Online Committee Application
Inspire your students with a Field Trip to the
Illinois Holocaust Museum
Explore artifacts, hear from eyewitness speakers, and teach your students the universal lessons of the Holocaust, Genocide, and
Human Rights
"As the decision makers of tomorrow children must understand the consequences of indifference and hate. They must not be bystanders, they must always be proactive and have the courage to speak up and care."
-Holocaust Survivor, Aaron Elster
In Our Voices Tour
For Grades 7th-12th
Explore the history of the Holocaust by taking an inquiry-based walk through our Karkomi Permanent Exhibition. Investigate the experiences of Holocaust survivors, witnesses, resistors, and rescuers through artifacts and testimony. Analyze the human and moral implications of individual choice, responsibility, and memory through connecting galleries and themes. Discover what influences our decision to act as bystanders or upstanders.
Length: 3 hours
Available Times: 9:30, 10:30, 11:30, 2:00 (weekdays), 11:00 (weekends), 5:00 (Thursday evenings)
Group Size: 160 students maximum
Click here for more information
Make a Difference:
The Harvey L. Miller Family Youth Exhibition
Field Trips for 3rd through 6th grades
- Peek inside school lockers to find surprising stories about Rosa Parks, Anne Frank and others who took a stand.
- Give advice to kids in sticky situations or tell their own stories on video.
- Make a pledge to be an upstander in their own community.
BECOME A WITNESS (GRADES 6+)
Learn about the power of one voice to take a stand for positive change. Explore how questions of identity, human behavior, community, and culture connect to an introductory study of the history and lessons of the Holocaust. Topics include pre-war Jewish life, the Kindertransports, and post-war immigration.
MEMORY, ACTION, COMMUNITY (GRADES 5+)
Discover ways to become more actively involved in your local and global communities through hands-on activities in Make a Difference: The Harvey L. Miller Family Youth Exhibition. Learn how identity, social responsibility, and community tie into a discussion of universal human and civil rights and introductory study of the Holocaust, including pre-war Jewish life, the Kindertransports, and post-war immigration.
TAKE A STAND (GRADES 3+)
Through hands-on, interactive activities, discover what it takes to care for yourself and others, learn how to speak up for those being bullied, and understand core values of respect, compassion, justice, and citizenship.Develop the strategies and tools necessary to not only identify a problem, but also to identify and overcome any obstacles to solving that problem. This tour option does not include the Karkomi Permanent Exhibition.
Register Here
Opportunity Scholarships to subsidize admission and/or transportation available!
Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center
9603 Woods Drive
Skokie, IL 60077
Webinar Recording:
Social Studies in the Every Student Succeeds Act
In case you could not join us for our January 13th legislative webinar: "Social Studies in the Every Student Succeeds Act," you can view this informative webinar recording at: www.socialstudies.org/advocacy/ESSA_Next_Steps and learn in greater detail about the social studies provisions included in ESSA, and what we need to do next to secure that funding and enable social studies educators to apply.
Help the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Transcribe Primary Source Documents
Chronicling Illinois showcases collections and items from the vast Illinois history holdings of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library.
ABOUT TRANSCRIBING
Chronicling Illinois holds thousands of pages of handwritten diaries, letters, and other texts. While printed texts can be scanned with OCR (optical character recognition) technology to add full text searchability, there’s no such easy fix for handwritten documents. Making these items findable requires time-consuming manual labor to transcribe each item. Our library staff can never transcribe all of these documents, so we are appealing to the public to help out.
Through "crowdsourcing" (engaging volunteers to contribute effort toward large-scale goals) this massive archive of historical materials becomes searchable, allowing researchers to seek out specific information quickly, and general users to browse and enjoy the materials more easily. By volunteering their time to help make these materials more accessible, participants can learn new information about past eras while assisting others. Please join us in preserving our past by keeping the historic record accessible, one document at a time.
HOW TO TRANSCRIBE
Anyone is welcome to contribute to the site. No special expertise is required. To transcribe documents, all you need to do is create an account by choosing a username and password, then respond to an e-mail message to verify your information. After confirming your information, simply select a document and type what you read, following a few simple directions.
ABOUT TRANSCRIBING
Chronicling Illinois holds thousands of pages of handwritten diaries, letters, and other texts. While printed texts can be scanned with OCR (optical character recognition) technology to add full text searchability, there’s no such easy fix for handwritten documents. Making these items findable requires time-consuming manual labor to transcribe each item. Our library staff can never transcribe all of these documents, so we are appealing to the public to help out.
Through "crowdsourcing" (engaging volunteers to contribute effort toward large-scale goals) this massive archive of historical materials becomes searchable, allowing researchers to seek out specific information quickly, and general users to browse and enjoy the materials more easily. By volunteering their time to help make these materials more accessible, participants can learn new information about past eras while assisting others. Please join us in preserving our past by keeping the historic record accessible, one document at a time.
HOW TO TRANSCRIBE
Anyone is welcome to contribute to the site. No special expertise is required. To transcribe documents, all you need to do is create an account by choosing a username and password, then respond to an e-mail message to verify your information. After confirming your information, simply select a document and type what you read, following a few simple directions.
The Great Thanksgiving Listen
Sponsored by StoryCorps in partnership with
The Library of Congress, TED, NPR, ABC News, Facing History and the National Council for the Social Studies
This Thanksgiving weekend, StoryCorps will work with teachers and high school students across the country to preserve the voices and stories of an entire generation of Americans over a single holiday weekend.
Since 2003, StoryCorps has given more than 100,000 Americans a quiet booth and a facilitator to record meaningful conversations with one another about who they are, what they’ve learned in life, and how they want to be remembered. The Great Thanksgiving Listen is its most ambitious initiative to date.
Open to everyone, The Great Thanksgiving Listen is a national assignment to engage people of all ages in the act of listening. The pilot project is specially designed for students ages 13 and over and as part of a social studies, history, civics, government, journalism, or political science class, or as an extracurricular activity. All that is needed to participate is a smartphone and the StoryCorps mobile app. Students will be asked to interview a grandparent or elder over Thanksgiving 2015 using the new free StoryCorps mobile app. Participants will upload their recordings to the StoryCorps archive at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress. In one holiday weekend StoryCorps hopes to gather more interviews than it has in the 12 years since its founding, and to capture an entire generation of American lives and experiences.
When you sign up for The Great Thanksgiving Listen, you will receive a special Educator’s Toolkit from StoryCorps with information on how to incorporate the assignment into your 2015 lesson plan. The curriculum will help students develop the following:
To learn more and register, go to
https://storycorps.me/about/the-great-thanksgiving-listen/
Sponsored by StoryCorps in partnership with
The Library of Congress, TED, NPR, ABC News, Facing History and the National Council for the Social Studies
This Thanksgiving weekend, StoryCorps will work with teachers and high school students across the country to preserve the voices and stories of an entire generation of Americans over a single holiday weekend.
Since 2003, StoryCorps has given more than 100,000 Americans a quiet booth and a facilitator to record meaningful conversations with one another about who they are, what they’ve learned in life, and how they want to be remembered. The Great Thanksgiving Listen is its most ambitious initiative to date.
Open to everyone, The Great Thanksgiving Listen is a national assignment to engage people of all ages in the act of listening. The pilot project is specially designed for students ages 13 and over and as part of a social studies, history, civics, government, journalism, or political science class, or as an extracurricular activity. All that is needed to participate is a smartphone and the StoryCorps mobile app. Students will be asked to interview a grandparent or elder over Thanksgiving 2015 using the new free StoryCorps mobile app. Participants will upload their recordings to the StoryCorps archive at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress. In one holiday weekend StoryCorps hopes to gather more interviews than it has in the 12 years since its founding, and to capture an entire generation of American lives and experiences.
When you sign up for The Great Thanksgiving Listen, you will receive a special Educator’s Toolkit from StoryCorps with information on how to incorporate the assignment into your 2015 lesson plan. The curriculum will help students develop the following:
- Research, archiving, and planning skills
- Speaking skills that enable students to express ideas clearly and persuasively
- Listening skills that reflect increased comprehension, lead to critical analysis, and advance discussion
- An increased connectedness, to community and to school
- A deepened sense of social awareness, exhibited by appreciation of diversity and respect for others
To learn more and register, go to
https://storycorps.me/about/the-great-thanksgiving-listen/
- Website: www.thegreatlisten.org
- Teacher Toolkit: http://bit.ly/SCGTLToolkit1
The Gilder Lehrman Institute for American History
is happy to announce our new Self-Paced Course series.
Each self-paced course includes:
- Video seminars with an eminent historian
- Digital labs and pedagogy sessions
- MP3 audio files of each seminar for on-the-go listening
- Featured primary sources and readings
- An online quiz and certificate of completion
- The opportunity for teachers to earn contact hours credits
We are currently offering four courses:
The Global Cold War with Professor Jeremi Suri, University of Texas at Austin
The American Civil War with Professor Allen C. Guelzo, Gettysburg College
The South in American History with Professor Edward L. Ayers, University of Richmond
Amazing Grace: How Writers Helped End Slavery with Professor James G. Basker, Barnard College
Book by ICSS Author
Vital Witnesses
Using Primary Sources in History and Social Studies
MARK NEWMAN
The use of primary sources as texts in the classroom is growing. Teachers realize these vital witnesses provide opportunities to motivate students and improve learning. They bring students closer to the people, places, and events being studied and help students improve content knowledge while building skills. Recent trends in standards, such as Common Core, and the increasing use of the Document-Based Questions also promote primary source use.
The strong push to use primary sources in teaching history and social studies creates a need among teachers for more information on what they are and how they can be used effectively in the classroom. Vital Witnesses meets this need by providing teachers with a comprehensive guide to primary sources and their use in the classroom. Primary sources are defined, and the various types are described. Classroom-tested activities and strategies are offered to teachers for addressing the needs of all learners and for accommodating Common Core standards and the C3 Framework for State Social Studies Standards.
Available from:
Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Pages: 100 • Size: 6 x 9
978-1-4758-1053-0 • Paperback • September 2014 • $23.95
978-1-4758-1054-7 • eBook • September 2014 • $22.99
Using Primary Sources in History and Social Studies
MARK NEWMAN
The use of primary sources as texts in the classroom is growing. Teachers realize these vital witnesses provide opportunities to motivate students and improve learning. They bring students closer to the people, places, and events being studied and help students improve content knowledge while building skills. Recent trends in standards, such as Common Core, and the increasing use of the Document-Based Questions also promote primary source use.
The strong push to use primary sources in teaching history and social studies creates a need among teachers for more information on what they are and how they can be used effectively in the classroom. Vital Witnesses meets this need by providing teachers with a comprehensive guide to primary sources and their use in the classroom. Primary sources are defined, and the various types are described. Classroom-tested activities and strategies are offered to teachers for addressing the needs of all learners and for accommodating Common Core standards and the C3 Framework for State Social Studies Standards.
Available from:
Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Pages: 100 • Size: 6 x 9
978-1-4758-1053-0 • Paperback • September 2014 • $23.95
978-1-4758-1054-7 • eBook • September 2014 • $22.99
The Unfinished Lives Educational Initiative
The Unfinished Lives Educational Initiative is groundbreaking as it will be the first introduction and discussion of the Holocaust in which Middle and High School teachers can instruct and lead without requiring them to become Holocaust teaching certified.
This unique initiative does not attempt to chronicle the Holocaust (too complex) but rather personalize this event through the portrayal of extraordinary people chronicling their lives, showing their works and telling their compelling stories a midst the tumultuous historical times in which they lived . (Similar to the Ann Frank story concept which has endured for now over 70 years.)
Unfinished Lives Presentation
YouTube Video of Unfinished Lives Presentation
The Unfinished Lives Educational Initiative is groundbreaking as it will be the first introduction and discussion of the Holocaust in which Middle and High School teachers can instruct and lead without requiring them to become Holocaust teaching certified.
This unique initiative does not attempt to chronicle the Holocaust (too complex) but rather personalize this event through the portrayal of extraordinary people chronicling their lives, showing their works and telling their compelling stories a midst the tumultuous historical times in which they lived . (Similar to the Ann Frank story concept which has endured for now over 70 years.)
Unfinished Lives Presentation
YouTube Video of Unfinished Lives Presentation
NCSS Teacher Practice Networks Annual Survey
Please help NCSS further define teacher professional development needs by completing the Teacher Practice Networks Annual Survey found at this link: http://rockman.co1.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_e8rNRgwlwNJxDmJ
The Teacher Practice Networks Annual Survey is designed to learn from teachers about the types of supports that are helping them implement new state standards, which may be referred to as the Common Core, College and Career Readiness Standards, or something else specific to your state or district. Your feedback will help National Council for the Social Studies in further defining teacher needs as it moves forward in developing College, Career and Civic Life (C3) Framework professional learning initiatives.
Please help NCSS further define teacher professional development needs by completing the Teacher Practice Networks Annual Survey found at this link: http://rockman.co1.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_e8rNRgwlwNJxDmJ
The Teacher Practice Networks Annual Survey is designed to learn from teachers about the types of supports that are helping them implement new state standards, which may be referred to as the Common Core, College and Career Readiness Standards, or something else specific to your state or district. Your feedback will help National Council for the Social Studies in further defining teacher needs as it moves forward in developing College, Career and Civic Life (C3) Framework professional learning initiatives.
The Illinois State Library is again offering its Try It! Illinois statewide database trial. Through this program, we get a chance to try out innumerable library databases in a wide range of subject areas. I would encourage you to check it out. Here's the link to the Try It! page: http://www.finditillinois.org/tryit/. To access the databases, enter the following login information in the boxes at the right side of the screen:
USERNAME: free2use
PASSWORD: illinet
There are all kinds of great sources to be found under the Education heading.
Enjoy!
Mahrya Carncross
Instructional Services Librarian
Western Illinois University Libraries
Phone: 309-298-2785, Ext. 8
Email: m-carncross@wiu.edu
Skype: mahrya.carncross
Start a National History Club Chapter at Your School
The National History Club Inc. (NHC) inspires students and teachers to start History Club chapters at high schools, middle schools, and within other student and community programs. Members of local History Club chapters participate in local and national programs, and create their own projects and activities. The NHC also provides chapters with resources and services that will help them increase the activity and impact of their History Club. To date, 500+ History Club chapters at high schools and middle schools in 44 states have joined the NHC, and there are over 14,000 student members.
When you join the National History Club, you join students and teachers from around the country—and the world—in discovering, learning, reading, writing, teaching, and living history. The NHC's main goal is to bring together students and teachers with a real passion for history, helping them learn from each other's ideas, experiences, and stories, which are distributed through our tri-annual eNewsletter, monthly eUpdates, and other communication methods.
We do not limit the scope of activities that a chapter may participate in—each club is allowed to navigate its own course. This allows for a wide-range of really interesting activities that are displayed in each Newsletter and on our website. Schools are free to decide whether their chapter will be a regular History Club (open to all) or a History Honor Society (with specific requirements for induction). The NHC also co-sponsors multiple award programs to recognize outstanding student members, Advisors, and chapters. For more information on the NHC and to find out how to join, please visit: www.nationalhistoryclub.org
The National History Club Inc. (NHC) inspires students and teachers to start History Club chapters at high schools, middle schools, and within other student and community programs. Members of local History Club chapters participate in local and national programs, and create their own projects and activities. The NHC also provides chapters with resources and services that will help them increase the activity and impact of their History Club. To date, 500+ History Club chapters at high schools and middle schools in 44 states have joined the NHC, and there are over 14,000 student members.
When you join the National History Club, you join students and teachers from around the country—and the world—in discovering, learning, reading, writing, teaching, and living history. The NHC's main goal is to bring together students and teachers with a real passion for history, helping them learn from each other's ideas, experiences, and stories, which are distributed through our tri-annual eNewsletter, monthly eUpdates, and other communication methods.
We do not limit the scope of activities that a chapter may participate in—each club is allowed to navigate its own course. This allows for a wide-range of really interesting activities that are displayed in each Newsletter and on our website. Schools are free to decide whether their chapter will be a regular History Club (open to all) or a History Honor Society (with specific requirements for induction). The NHC also co-sponsors multiple award programs to recognize outstanding student members, Advisors, and chapters. For more information on the NHC and to find out how to join, please visit: www.nationalhistoryclub.org
American Education and Culture Ambassador Program
Teach English in China!
All Majors Welcome
www.ChineseCultureCenter.org
(803) 252-9086
Basic Requirements for Teaching Positions or Paid Summer Internship in China:
a) Standard English Speakers in any major;
b) Strong Leadership, Public Speaking, Social, and Interpersonal Skills.
Benefits for you:
1. Free Round-trip international airfare paid by your host school if you teach at the same school for two semesters.
2. Free furnished-apartment usually on school campus.
3. Well-paid positions with free Chinese lessons and paid holidays.
4. Place your friends and family together
5. Free TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language) Training and TESL Certification either at USC or online
6. Deferment of Student's Loan
Required Application documents:
a) Online registration on our website: www.ChineseCultureCenter.org
b) One-page resume emphasizing your teaching related experiences if any.
Chinese Culture Center certified by the China State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs (SAFEA) will take care of the tedious and complicated application procedures for you. Please find more program info online: www.ChineseCultureCenter.org
If you don't have a passport yet, please call your local main post office to apply for one ASAP.
Lea Walker, President
(US) Chinese Culture Center
1708 Greene Street
Columbia, SC 29201, USA
(803) 252-9086
www.ChineseCultureCenter.org
usccc@ChineseCultureCenter.org
Teach English in China!
All Majors Welcome
www.ChineseCultureCenter.org
(803) 252-9086
Basic Requirements for Teaching Positions or Paid Summer Internship in China:
a) Standard English Speakers in any major;
b) Strong Leadership, Public Speaking, Social, and Interpersonal Skills.
Benefits for you:
1. Free Round-trip international airfare paid by your host school if you teach at the same school for two semesters.
2. Free furnished-apartment usually on school campus.
3. Well-paid positions with free Chinese lessons and paid holidays.
4. Place your friends and family together
5. Free TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language) Training and TESL Certification either at USC or online
6. Deferment of Student's Loan
Required Application documents:
a) Online registration on our website: www.ChineseCultureCenter.org
b) One-page resume emphasizing your teaching related experiences if any.
Chinese Culture Center certified by the China State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs (SAFEA) will take care of the tedious and complicated application procedures for you. Please find more program info online: www.ChineseCultureCenter.org
If you don't have a passport yet, please call your local main post office to apply for one ASAP.
Lea Walker, President
(US) Chinese Culture Center
1708 Greene Street
Columbia, SC 29201, USA
(803) 252-9086
www.ChineseCultureCenter.org
usccc@ChineseCultureCenter.org
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As you begin planning your spring lessons: The Illinois Holocaust Museum’s literature-based teaching trunk program provides K – 12 educators with a wide array of resources for classroom units on character education, human rights, the Holocaust and/or genocide. Each trunk allows educators to create meaningful, age/grade appropriate lessons employing award – winning fiction, non-fiction, historical reference materials, as well as DVDs and teaching posters. The focus of each trunk has been carefully developed to address State and National Learning Standards, including Common Core State Standards.
Trunk Themes
Inside the Trunks
*The curriculum framework binder contains an introduction to each trunk; synopses of select books and films with rationale, discussion questions, and activities; additional resources; and professional readings.
Reserve Your Teaching Trunk Today!
Generously supported by: Bank of America; The Jacob J. Fink Charitable Foundation; J.P. Morgan Chase; Kraft Foods; Motorola Foundation; RBC Wealth Management; State Farm; Bruce and Elizabeth White.
Education Services are supported with generous grants from: Dr. Scholl Foundation; Leah Gutman Education Fund; John and Eunice Johnson Education Fund; Harry & Sadie Lasky Foundation; Francis L. Lederer Foundation; Francis L. Lederer Foundation; MetLife Foundation; Charles & M.R. Shapiro Foundation; and an anonymous foundation.
Additional endowment support is provided by: The Mayor Richard M. and Maggie C. Daley Education Fund; The Harvey L. Miller Family Foundation Program Endowment Fund; and Teachers Educational Endowment Fund.
Trunk Themes
- 9th – 12th grade: Investigating Human Behavior
- 7th – 12th grade: On Our Watch: Genocide and Human Rights
Inside the Trunks
- Reference and resources materials
- Classroom sets (30 copies)
- Literature Circle sets
- Read –aloud titles
- DVDs
- Posters
- Curriculum Framework Binder*
*The curriculum framework binder contains an introduction to each trunk; synopses of select books and films with rationale, discussion questions, and activities; additional resources; and professional readings.
Reserve Your Teaching Trunk Today!
Generously supported by: Bank of America; The Jacob J. Fink Charitable Foundation; J.P. Morgan Chase; Kraft Foods; Motorola Foundation; RBC Wealth Management; State Farm; Bruce and Elizabeth White.
Education Services are supported with generous grants from: Dr. Scholl Foundation; Leah Gutman Education Fund; John and Eunice Johnson Education Fund; Harry & Sadie Lasky Foundation; Francis L. Lederer Foundation; Francis L. Lederer Foundation; MetLife Foundation; Charles & M.R. Shapiro Foundation; and an anonymous foundation.
Additional endowment support is provided by: The Mayor Richard M. and Maggie C. Daley Education Fund; The Harvey L. Miller Family Foundation Program Endowment Fund; and Teachers Educational Endowment Fund.
Learning Bird
Teachers get free memberships and with full access to Learning Bird. It can
be used as a classroom resource, a homework facilitator, for flipping
classes and for professional development. Teachers can also earn money when
students rate their lessons as helpful. Best of all, their lessons can reach students across the continent.
We encourage you to check out our site, www.learningbird.com, for general information, and to join if you are interested in participating. You can also follow us on Facebook <http://www.facebook.com/learningbird> and Twitter<http://twitter.com/learningbird>.
Teachers get free memberships and with full access to Learning Bird. It can
be used as a classroom resource, a homework facilitator, for flipping
classes and for professional development. Teachers can also earn money when
students rate their lessons as helpful. Best of all, their lessons can reach students across the continent.
We encourage you to check out our site, www.learningbird.com, for general information, and to join if you are interested in participating. You can also follow us on Facebook <http://www.facebook.com/learningbird> and Twitter<http://twitter.com/learningbird>.
Illinois State Bar Association and Illinois Judges Association - Free Materials
The Illinois State Bar Association has Law-Related Resources for Teachers, grades K-12, at http://www.isba.org/teachers. ISBA also publishes a free quarterly on-line newsletter for teachers. Included at the link are:
· High School Mock Trial Information
· Abraham Lincoln in Illinois
· Law Day
· ISBA Public and Law-Related Education Publications
· Law-Related Education (LRE) Newsletter
· ISBA Lesson Plans and Activities
· School Success Stories
· Lawyers in Classrooms
· CARE - Credit Abuse Resistance Education
The Illinois Judges Association welcomes opportunities to be in the classroom, including the 7 Reasons to Leave the Party, discussing the legal effects of drinking, and Courtroom in the Classroom, discussing the law through the use of a search of the locker at school case. Information available at http://www.ija.org.
· High School Mock Trial Information
· Abraham Lincoln in Illinois
· Law Day
· ISBA Public and Law-Related Education Publications
· Law-Related Education (LRE) Newsletter
· ISBA Lesson Plans and Activities
· School Success Stories
· Lawyers in Classrooms
· CARE - Credit Abuse Resistance Education
The Illinois Judges Association welcomes opportunities to be in the classroom, including the 7 Reasons to Leave the Party, discussing the legal effects of drinking, and Courtroom in the Classroom, discussing the law through the use of a search of the locker at school case. Information available at http://www.ija.org.
Education Portal has 4,600 free, online lessons that you can use to supplement and strengthen your instruction and that your students can use for summer study. We have lessons in social science, history, and more. Don't see your subject area? Let us know and we'll add it to our lesson development queue.
Click here to browse all lessons and find your subject area:
http://education-portal.com/academy/course/index.html
Click here to browse all lessons and find your subject area:
http://education-portal.com/academy/course/index.html
NCSS Award and Grant Selection Committees
NCSS is looking for members to serve on awards selection committees. The selection committees review nominations and select recipients of NCSS awards and grants. Committee members serve a three-year term and most committee work is accomplished online or by telephone. Members are also asked to make a reasonable effort to attend the award winner session, awards presentation, and assist the committee chair when need arises during the review or at the NCSS conference.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis
Click here to volunteer
Outstanding Elementary, Middle Level, or Secondary Social Studies Teacher of the Year awards recognize social studies teachers who have made outstanding contributions through her exceptional teaching in K-6, 5-8, or 7-12. Committee members evaluate nominations and forward the results to the Committee chair. Communications are through e-mail and/or telephone. Members are asked to make a reasonable effort to attend the award winner session, awards presentation, and assist the Committee chair when need arises during the review or at the NCSS conference.
Eligibility: NCSS members who are current or previous elementary, middle, secondary level social studies teachers, administrators, teacher education faculty, or consultants are eligible to apply for the corresponding grade level committee. Familiarity with the National Curriculum Standards for Social Studies is desirable. Previous recipients of NCSS or state council teacher of the year awards are especially encouraged to apply.
The Award for Global Understanding recognizes a social studies educator or team of educators who have made notable contributions in helping social studies students increase their understanding of the world.
Eligibility: NCSS members who are current or previous elementary, middle, secondary level social studies teachers, administrators, teacher education faculty, and/or consultants with a familiarity with the National Curriculum Standards for Social Studies are eligible to serve on the Award for Global Understanding selection committee. Global/multicultural education practitioners or specialists and previous recipients of the award are encouraged to apply.
Grant for the Enhancement of Geographic Literacy recognizes an exemplary program of geographic education that encourages the integration of geography into the social studies curriculum/classroom and enhances the geographic literacy of students at the classroom, district or state level.
Eligibility: NCSS members who are current or previous social studies educators elementary, administrators, teacher education faculty, or consultants are eligible to serve on this committee. Experience with program, curriculum or teacher evaluation, a background as a geography education practitioner or specialist;and familiarity with National Geography Standards and National Curriculum Standards for Social Studies is desired.
Carter G. Woodson Book Awards recognize elementary, middle level, and secondary outstanding social science books appropriate for young readers and young adult readers which depict race-ethnicity in the U.S. Committee members evaluate all nominated books. Committee members may be asked to assist with award-winning book author presentation sessions, awards presentation, and book signings at the NCSS Annual Conference
Eligibility: NCSS members who are current or previous social studies educators elementary, administrators, teacher education faculty, or consultants who are one or more of the following are eligible to serve on the committee:
Click here to volunteer
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis
Click here to volunteer
Outstanding Elementary, Middle Level, or Secondary Social Studies Teacher of the Year awards recognize social studies teachers who have made outstanding contributions through her exceptional teaching in K-6, 5-8, or 7-12. Committee members evaluate nominations and forward the results to the Committee chair. Communications are through e-mail and/or telephone. Members are asked to make a reasonable effort to attend the award winner session, awards presentation, and assist the Committee chair when need arises during the review or at the NCSS conference.
Eligibility: NCSS members who are current or previous elementary, middle, secondary level social studies teachers, administrators, teacher education faculty, or consultants are eligible to apply for the corresponding grade level committee. Familiarity with the National Curriculum Standards for Social Studies is desirable. Previous recipients of NCSS or state council teacher of the year awards are especially encouraged to apply.
The Award for Global Understanding recognizes a social studies educator or team of educators who have made notable contributions in helping social studies students increase their understanding of the world.
Eligibility: NCSS members who are current or previous elementary, middle, secondary level social studies teachers, administrators, teacher education faculty, and/or consultants with a familiarity with the National Curriculum Standards for Social Studies are eligible to serve on the Award for Global Understanding selection committee. Global/multicultural education practitioners or specialists and previous recipients of the award are encouraged to apply.
Grant for the Enhancement of Geographic Literacy recognizes an exemplary program of geographic education that encourages the integration of geography into the social studies curriculum/classroom and enhances the geographic literacy of students at the classroom, district or state level.
Eligibility: NCSS members who are current or previous social studies educators elementary, administrators, teacher education faculty, or consultants are eligible to serve on this committee. Experience with program, curriculum or teacher evaluation, a background as a geography education practitioner or specialist;and familiarity with National Geography Standards and National Curriculum Standards for Social Studies is desired.
Carter G. Woodson Book Awards recognize elementary, middle level, and secondary outstanding social science books appropriate for young readers and young adult readers which depict race-ethnicity in the U.S. Committee members evaluate all nominated books. Committee members may be asked to assist with award-winning book author presentation sessions, awards presentation, and book signings at the NCSS Annual Conference
Eligibility: NCSS members who are current or previous social studies educators elementary, administrators, teacher education faculty, or consultants who are one or more of the following are eligible to serve on the committee:
- ethnic studies practitioners or specialists;
- classroom teachers who use children’s/young people’s literature in social studies instruction;
- reviewers of children/young people literature.
Click here to volunteer
Free Materials To Teach About
The Japanese American Internment
Fred Korematsu is remembered for his courageous fight against the Japanese American Internment which led to the WWII 1944 Supreme Court case, Korematsu v. United States. Fred Korematsu was exonerated almost 40 years later and was eventually awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Clinton.
FREE MATERIALS TO TEACH ABOUT THE JAPANESE AMERICAN INTERNMENT AND FRED KOREMATSU
The Korematsu Institute (www.korematsuinstitute) wants to send you a FREE Teaching Kit that helps teachers instruct on the life of Fred Korematsu and the overall Japanese American internment during World War II.
PLEASE SHARE THE WORD ABOUT OUR MATERIALS WITH YOUR TEACHERS
Please inform your teachers about the FREE Teaching Kit. Help us spread the word about this pivotal story in U.S. History.
The Korematsu Institute (www.korematsuinstitute.org) has a wealth of free teaching materials that help students learn about Fred and the Japanese American internment during World War II. Some items include:
* a K-12 teaching guide,
* a Fred Korematsu classroom poster,
* the 24 minute version of the Emmy Award winning video, "Of Civil Wrongs and Rights, the Fred Korematsu Story."
FREE MATERIALS TO TEACH ABOUT THE JAPANESE AMERICAN INTERNMENT AND FRED KOREMATSU
The Korematsu Institute (www.korematsuinstitute) wants to send you a FREE Teaching Kit that helps teachers instruct on the life of Fred Korematsu and the overall Japanese American internment during World War II.
PLEASE SHARE THE WORD ABOUT OUR MATERIALS WITH YOUR TEACHERS
Please inform your teachers about the FREE Teaching Kit. Help us spread the word about this pivotal story in U.S. History.
The Korematsu Institute (www.korematsuinstitute.org) has a wealth of free teaching materials that help students learn about Fred and the Japanese American internment during World War II. Some items include:
* a K-12 teaching guide,
* a Fred Korematsu classroom poster,
* the 24 minute version of the Emmy Award winning video, "Of Civil Wrongs and Rights, the Fred Korematsu Story."
Start a Rho Kappa Chapter Today!
RHO KAPPA National Social Studies Honor Society is the only national organization for high school
juniors and seniors that recognizes excellence in the field of social studies. Membership in RHO
KAPPA is an honor bestowed upon students by a local chapter for accomplishments in social studies
and overall academic achievement. Any accredited high school can apply to start a chapter, through
which students will be inducted into the RHO KAPPA Social Studies Honor Society.
juniors and seniors that recognizes excellence in the field of social studies. Membership in RHO
KAPPA is an honor bestowed upon students by a local chapter for accomplishments in social studies
and overall academic achievement. Any accredited high school can apply to start a chapter, through
which students will be inducted into the RHO KAPPA Social Studies Honor Society.
For more information visit rhokappa.socialstudies.org
or call 301-588-1800 x 107
or e-mail at rhokappa@ncss.org.
or call 301-588-1800 x 107
or e-mail at rhokappa@ncss.org.
Preparing Students for College, Career, and Civic Life
Become a Gilder Lehrman Affiliate in 15-20 minutes
Step One –go to http://www.gilderlehrman.org/programs-exhibitions/affiliate-school-program-application
Step Two- go to create an account and click on register to get the application
Step 3- the application is online and the first 2 pages are administrative: teacher’s name, school name, principal’s name, grade level of school, school affiliation with TAH,NAIS,church (if applicable or just N/A),school webpage-This should take about 5-10 minutes
Last step- there are 2 blocks to fill out. One is demographic information that is either on the school district web page or easily retrieved from the guidance department: how many students in each grade/what is the ethnic / racial % of the school. Just paste that in once you get that information
The last block asks why you want to be an affiliate. Teachers can rephrase 3-4 sentences from the following and paste the response in to the last block:
We want to become an affiliate so that our teachers
Will have access to the numerous resources on American History
Would like to participate in professional development opportunities
Would also appreciate access to the web portal with his lesson plans, teachable documents, videos, podcasts, toolkits
Availability of classroom materials, posters, multimedia kits, resource boxes and traveling exhibitions will increase our teacher’s ability to bring history alive for our students in our classrooms.
Access to the Gilder Lehrman Collection which will assist our teachers in providing document-based history education to our students
Eligibility for national history prizes and essay contests for our students
Would like to start a history club at our school
Step Two- go to create an account and click on register to get the application
Step 3- the application is online and the first 2 pages are administrative: teacher’s name, school name, principal’s name, grade level of school, school affiliation with TAH,NAIS,church (if applicable or just N/A),school webpage-This should take about 5-10 minutes
Last step- there are 2 blocks to fill out. One is demographic information that is either on the school district web page or easily retrieved from the guidance department: how many students in each grade/what is the ethnic / racial % of the school. Just paste that in once you get that information
The last block asks why you want to be an affiliate. Teachers can rephrase 3-4 sentences from the following and paste the response in to the last block:
We want to become an affiliate so that our teachers
Will have access to the numerous resources on American History
Would like to participate in professional development opportunities
Would also appreciate access to the web portal with his lesson plans, teachable documents, videos, podcasts, toolkits
Availability of classroom materials, posters, multimedia kits, resource boxes and traveling exhibitions will increase our teacher’s ability to bring history alive for our students in our classrooms.
Access to the Gilder Lehrman Collection which will assist our teachers in providing document-based history education to our students
Eligibility for national history prizes and essay contests for our students
Would like to start a history club at our school
| 2012_affiliate_school_7.pdf |
| 2012_fact_sheet_flier_final.pdf |