History/ Social Science Communiqué
Volume 2, Issue 9, April 30, 2015
Updates/ Announcements
Semester 2 Performance Task Anchor Papers:
- Anchors for all H/SS Sem 2 PTs are posted on the CPD Canvas page, under "Tested." You may also find them on the R & E Canvas page.
- H/SS Site Curriculum Specialists should be working with PLCs to calibrate and score the PTs using the district-provided rubric. This provides a baseline for equity across the district.
Updated Instructional Guides:
- Please see the CPD Canvas page, for updated Instructional Guides for all H/SS courses (even Econ and Govt!)! Use these when planning for 2015-16.
Final Exams:
- The final exam testing window is from May 18th-June 4th.
- District final exams will be provided for WC-7, USH-8, WH-10, and USH-11. One class set of hard-copies will be made for you. Students will bubble in their answers on Data Director scantrons for Questions #1-29 and will write a short response for Question #30.
- If you believe your students should have access to a Spanish version of this exam, please let your testing coordinator know so he/she may order the appropriate number of exams from Research and Evaluation.
- WG-9, Econ, and Govt PLCs should work together to create a site final for their students. Expect district finals for these courses next school year.
H/SS "Shout-Outs!"
CPH's Sylvia McBride selected to represent World Geography!
Castle Park High's Sylvia McBride was selected by the California Geographic Alliance (CGA) to represent the state's high school teachers in a pilot program led by National Geographic. The National Geographic Educator Certificate program seeks to build a wide network of educators who understand contemporary geography, effectively engage students in learning about their world, and seek to improve their own professional learning. In August, Sylvia will participate in a 2-day workshop at the National Geographic headquarters in Washington, DC, to provide input for this new program. She will also attend the annual National Council for Geographic Education conference as the council celebrates its 100th anniversary. Based on the feedback provided by teacher leaders this summer, National Geographic will further develop this new certificate program for presentation to teachers nationwide. Working with CGA, Sylvia will help share this opportunity with teachers in California. You can find more information about CGA here .
A huge thank you to the following individuals.....
Bravo to ORH Teachers: Patricia Heredia & Gilbert Sanchez and to ELH's Brandon Fuentes!
A huge shout-out to the team of individuals responsible for bringing Sweetwater's revamped 21st Century Geography course to life! ELH's Luis Lopez, HTH's Allyn Olsen, BVH's Laura Lowery, CVH's Greg Simpson, CPH's Sylvia McBride, and SOH's Joel Rodriguez! Curriculum and Professional Development would also like to thank the members of the Textbook Advisory Committee!
Last, but not least, we have been so fortunate to have two university professors working with us since our initial discussion around what World Geography should look like in Sweetwater. A special thanks to Dr. Emily Schell and Dr. Tom Herman from SDSU and the California Geographic Alliance. They have gone above and beyond for Sweetwater!
Congrats to these SDCOE Conference Presenters!
Additionally, the following Sweetwater H/SS teachers were selected by the SD County Office of Education to lead workshops for SD County H/SS teachers at the Leadership Conference:
Joel Rodriguez, SOH
Hector Gonzalez, SOH
Francisco Medina, SOH
Marysol Gomez, SYH
Emma Lagos, ELM
Aida Jarrett, HTM
Go Sweetwater H/SS!
Featured Professional Reads & Resources
News Articles:
“We don’t need more STEM majors. We need more STEM majors with liberal arts training.” (Washington Post)
Note: The ability to draw from other disciplines produces better scientists!
Getting Millennials Engaged in Civic Life (Education Week)
The Problem with History Classes The Atlantic
Why Reconstruction Matters? NY Times
Need news articles for the students?
Check out: www.newsela.com
Current Context: Cuba & the US
Download the latest Current Context, Cuba & the US, to help your students understand the complicated history of US-Cuba relations. This free resource includes a one-page history, timeline, a map, and links to more great sources. Also check out our blog post on Cuba for more teaching suggestions.
There are some useful lesson plans and materials available via the Choices Program at Brown University. You may find them useful – especially if you are bringing current events into your classrooms. There are also Professional Development opportunities if you find yourself on the east coast this summer.
Want to bring a veteran to your history class?
Check out the USS Midway Museum Program that allows you to do just that! Contact Dick Walker at dwalker@midway.org for more info!
SDSU's International Studies Teacher Education Project
International Studies Teacher Education Project (ISTEP) promotes global education in San Diego and Imperial Valley schools through professional development for educators, learning opportunities for K-12 students, and collaborations among San Diego State University and other community partners.
Check out their new website!
Featured AVID Weekly Articles
Payday Loans graph for analysis
Working Class has Gone Missing
Good for Govt:
Opportunities for H/SS Teachers
History Blueprint at the SDCOE:
Teaching and Assessing in Medieval World History
When: July 14 – 16, 2015
Time: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm (Registration 8:30 am)
Fee: $600 per teacher in a team of 2+
$700 per individual teacher (Includes lunch, handouts, and materials)
UCI History Project Opportunities
UCI has openings in two programs this summer: Common Core Writing in the History Classroom (June 29 - June 2) and Teaching and Assessing in Medieval World History (July 14-16). More information...
U.S. District Court of Southern California (Opportunity):
The San Diego Unified School District has invited teachers from other districts to participate in a special workshop in partnership with the United States District Court of Southern California. This event will be conducted at the Federal Court House in Downtown San Diego on May 18th. The day will include opportunities to learn about the court system from Federal Court judges, observe courtroom proceedings, and have lunch with judges and other court personnel. There are only a limited number of spaces available. Interested teachers should contact the San Diego Unified District's Social Studies Program Manager, Micheline Wagner, at mwagner2@sandi.net.
USC Shoah Foundation: IWitness Program
In partnership with the San Diego Unified School District and the USC Shoah Foundation, the San Diego County Office of Education will be hosting a half-day workshop for middle and high school ELA and history-social science teachers. Participants will learn how to use testimony from the Visual History Archive. IWitness will expose teachers to a deeper understanding of twentieth century history and development of twenty-first century digital-literacy skills to inspire responsible participation in civil society. This professional development event will prepare educators to use testimony in relevant and engaging ways that will take students beyond the textbook. Lunch will be provided after the workshop.
When: June 19, 2015
Time: 8:30 am – 12:00 pm (Registration 8:00 am)
Fee: Thanks to the generosity of the USC Shoah Foundation, this workshop is FREE.
Where: SDCOE - Room 306
To register visit: http://sdcoe.k12oms.org/1014-97268
The National Council for Social Studies (NCSS):
Webinar Series: Using Multiple Viewpoints and Multiple Perspectives to Study American History
Thursdays, May 7, 14, 21, and 28, 4 to 5 p.m.
This webinar series will reinforce the advantages of analyzing multiple perspectives and multiple viewpoints when studying American history. Utilizing inquiry activities as suggested by the College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) social studies framework, we will search out multiple (and in some instances conflicting) views of American history so that teachers can encourage critical thinking and informed dialogue among students.
During this four-part webinar series we will analyze four major topics in American history:
Thursday, May 7: The Decision to Drop the Atomic Bomb
Thursday, May 14: Whose Responsibility was the Cold War?
Thursday, May 21: U.S. Footprints Around the World; and
Thursday, May 28: Twentieth and Twenty-First Century Race Relations
Go to the NCSS Web site for more information about fees and to register.
Upcoming Dates to Remember
HSS DL/Bilingual Teacher meeting: May 11th, 4pm, Parent Center
9th grade Social Science Teacher Training: May 19th and 20th at the PDC
SDCOE Leadership in History/Social Science Conference: May 26th
Teacher Q & A
Kelly Leon- kelly.leon@sweetwaterschools.org
History/Social Science Contacts
Olga Loya-Estrada
High School Curriculum Specialist:
Kelly León
Lead Curriculum Specialist (all subjects):
Katrine Czajkowski
Special Services H/SS Specialist
Shiela Fernandez
English Learners:
Rebecca Robinson