Social Studies Scoop
A Monthly Bulletin for 6-12 Social Studies Teachers in CCS
Preparing students for success in college, career, and civic life
August 2017
In this edition:
- Introducing Social Studies Course Sites
- Revised Model Lessons for Modern World and American History
- Preparing for Ohio's State Tests in American History and American Government
- Elimination of Social Studies 6 State Test
- High School Mock Trial
- Youth at the Booth - Deadline: August 30, 2017
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Introducing Social Studies Course Sites
The Social Studies Instructional Resource Portal has been replaced by Social Studies Course Sites. Social Studies Course Sites provide lessons, strategies, and content resources aligned with Ohio's Learning Standards for each grade level and course.
Course Sites are maintained on the district's G Suite server. To access Course Sites, you will first need to log in to Google with your CCS email address and password. If you get a "404" message, you are not logged in to CCS G Suite (you may be logged in with a personal account).
Access Course Sites from the following link: http://www.ccsoh.us/SSResources.aspx
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Revised Model Lessons for Modern World History and American History in Google Drive
In the process of making the file conversions, we made a number adjustments to the lessons. The curriculum map, standards, and unit structures remain the same, so the changes are in the internal components of the Model lessons. A quick synopsis of some of the changes:
- redesigned the lessons and resources in editable Google Docs format so they can be assigned digitally through Google Classroom or printed;
- eliminated the number of "Days" in the lesson plan outline and instead presenting a variety of "Activities" with bullet points of suggested ideas;
- added performance-based assessments/projects to each lesson;
- revised the lesson assessments to include additional types of questions that model the state test (e.g. multiple select, drag and drop, evidence-based questions) (American History only)
- eliminated some of the extraneous worksheets;
- enhanced some of the worksheets with more rigorous tasks -- e.g. instead of providing students with a list of Progressive era legislation, the handout asks students to research legislation and explain its meaning and significance
Overall, we aiming for more flexibility, so the Model Lessons serve as a starting point that can be coupled with other resources, such as the DBQ Project materials that are available in the building and online resources from the Reading Like a Historian curriculum, Newsela, and Common Lit.
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Preparing for Ohio's State Tests in American History and American Government
- Teachers Guide to the State Tests;
- Ohio Test Prep website (revamp coming in September 2017);
- Released Test Items by Content Statement (2017 update will be emailed the first week of September);
- Student Review Guides; and
- Practice Assessment on Edcite.
In addition, we have copies of Mastering Ohio's American History State Test and Mastering Ohio's American Government State Test by Jarrett Publishing. Please contact Matt Doran regarding these resources.
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Elimination of Social Studies 6 State Test
The resources on the Social Studies 6 Assessment webpage will remain posted for teachers to use for instructional and assessment purposes.
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High School Mock Trial
Ohio Mock Trial offers an innovative approach to learning about law and how our legal system functions. Guided by teachers and volunteer legal advisors, students participate in an original, unscripted, simulated trial written by attorneys. High school students argue both sides of the case in real courtrooms. For more information about Mock Trial, see the following webpage: http://oclre.org/aws/OCLRE/pt/sp/programs_mocktrial.
To compete in the Ohio Mock Trial program, each school needs a team advisor. The advisor position is a supplemental contract granted by the building principal. The pay for the position is established by Article 905.01 (Group B) of the Master Agreement. If you are interested in advising a Mock Trial team at your school, please speak with your building principal regarding this position. Principals should complete the supplemental contract appointment form and submit it to Human Resources. Also, please contact Matt Doran as soon as possible so we can order case materials for your team. The cost of case materials and team competition are covered by the Social Studies Office. Any needed substitute coverage requests must be submitted by the building principal.
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Youth at the Booth - Deadline: August 30, 2017
For those who teach or advise seniors, please encourage your students to consider this opportunity. All paperwork for YAB is available on the Kids Voting Central website: http://www.kidsvotingoh.org/youth-at-the-booth.html. The deadline for completed Student Application/Permission Forms is August 30, 2017.
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Matthew I. Doran
Email: mdoran2067@columbus.k12.oh.us
Website: http://www.ccsoh.us/socialstudies.aspx
Phone: 614-365-5372 -- 233
Twitter: @mdoran2067