Austin ISD Social Studies News
Vol. 18, September 2016
Week One and Done!
We hope that your first week of school was exciting and productive! We'd like to share information about state and federal required observances this month, upcoming professional development opportunities, and online resources.
September 11, 2001 Commemoration
TEC 25.0821declares that:
(a) To commemorate the events of September 11, 2001, in each year that date falls on a regular school day, each public elementary or secondary school shall provide for the observance of one minute of silence at the beginning of the first class period of that day.
(b) Immediately before the period of observance required by this section, the class instructor shall make a statement of reference to the memory of individuals who died on September 11, 2001. Here is the district-released statement: September 11 Statement
Celebrate Freedom Week and Constitution Day
According to State Laws:
(A) Each social studies class shall include, during Celebrate Freedom Week ...appropriate instruction concerning the intent, meaning, and importance of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, including the Bill of Rights, in their historical contexts...
(B) Each school district shall require that, during Celebrate Freedom Week ... students in Grades 3-12 study and recite the following text: "We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness--That to secure these Rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed."
Celebrate Freedom Week will be observed September 12-16.
Constitution Day is observed on September 17 or during the week it falls in if it is on a weekend.
Austin ISD Secondary Learning Opportunities
Social Studies High School Department Chair Meeting #1
Date: Wednesday, September 14th
Time: 9:00 am - 12:00 noon
Location: Baker Center, 3908 Avenue B
We have a few new department chairs this year, so be sure to attend so that we can get to know one another!
The Social Studies Department will pay for your substitute, and we ask that you bring your fully charged AISD laptop with you. Please contact Melanie if you have any additional questions!
US History District PLC #1
Date: Wednesday, September 14th
Time: 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Location: Baker Center, 3908 Avenue B
We have some new USH teachers this year, as well as some veteran USH teachers. Come and meet other USH teachers from across the district to make connections, share resources, and learn from each other.
The Social Studies Department will pay for your substitute, and we ask that you bring your fully charged AISD laptop with you. Please contact Melanie if you have any additional questions!
Learning Opportunities Outside of AISD
Gilder Lehrman Self-Paced Courses
The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History’s Self-Paced Course series offers graduate-level courses taught by eminent historians, available to watch or listen to at your own time and pace.
Courses in the series range from early American history through the end of the 20th century and feature some of the nation’s foremost American history scholars.
Have you tried these out yet?
NewsELA
The Stock Market Game
Texas Alliance for Geographic Education
If you find any resources that you'd like to share...
Austin ISD High School Social Studies
High School Specialist - Melanie Kirchhof
Also, if you enjoy receiving resources more frequently than once a month, follow us on Twitter @AISDSoc !
Email: melanie.kirchhof@austinisd.org
Website: https://sites.google.com/a/austinisd.org/socialstudies/
Location: Austin, TX, United States
Phone: 512-414-4361
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/austinisd.socialstudies
Twitter: @AISDSoc