Social Studies Insider
September 2018
We're off and Running!
CCSS Curriculum Website: Every Teacher's One Stop Shop
Building a Social Studies Coalition with Google Classroom
WANTED: Social Studies Digital Resource Tools
Looking to Develop your Students' Researching Skills?
The incorporation of literacy is critical within all educational content areas. Students who engage in reading, writing, and research regularly, engage in developing stronger analytical, processing, and communication skills that will better prepare them for the demands of continued educational opportunities and/or workplace requirements.
Consider these three shifts in literacy for social studies, science, and technical subjects:
- Building knowledge through reading content-rich nonfiction
- Reading, writing, and speaking grounded in evidence from text
- Regular practice with complex text and its academic vocabulary
Utilize a wide range of tools that will help teachers incorporate the literacy standards by visiting the GA DOE resource page (Click Here)
For specific resources linked to SECOND and EIGHTH grade, give the Digital Library of Georgia a look. The Digital Library of Georgia provides second and eighth grade teachers access to a wide range of non-fiction and primary document resources that are directly tied to the Georgia Standards of Excellence. Other K-12 resources are available. (Click Here)
The Library of Congress offers teachers access with classroom materials and professional development opportunities to help incorporate the effective use of primary sources. The Library of Congress offers lesson plans that are aligned to meet Common Core Standards, state content standards, and the standards of national organizations. (Click Here)
Digital Library of Georgia
Georgia Department of Education
Library of Congress
Constitution Day is Quickly Approaching
Teaching September 11th
Bridging Social Studies and English Language Arts
Attention Elementary School Social Studies Teachers:
Learning Adventures for Covering Government Topics
Bring History to Life: Invite Abraham Lincoln to your School
Interested in having Abe Lincoln visit your classroom? Check out this site for more information on having the 16th President of the United States walk the halls of your school. Please contact Phil Sykes if you would like to discuss a potential visit. (Click Here)
Connecting Social Studies and ELA Shifts in the Elementary Classroom
Thanks to the National Council for the Social Studies, access to the following page will provide teachers a plethora of resources (webinar, articles, etc.) that will help teachers bring social studies standards into the ELA elementary classroom through various literacy techniques. (Click Here)
Integrating Social Studies into your ELA/Reading Lessons Made Easy
Located within the GA DOE Teacher Notes, teachers can find a list of standards connected books that can easily be integrated into your ELA/Reading lessons.
For Kindergarten access, Click Here.
For 1st Grade access, Click Here.
For 2nd Grade access, Click Here.
For 3rd Grade access, Click Here.
For 4th Grade access, Click Here.
For 5th Grade access, Click Here.
Attention Middle School Social Studies Teachers:
Google Classroom Reminder:
Please continue to share resources via Google Classroom. The conversations taking place and resources being shared within the Middle School Google Classroom are authentic and engaging. This collaboration is the key to success and will impact your students greatly! Keep up the great work teachers!
Learning Activities for Covering Government Topics:
Looking for a fun way to engage students within the GSE Government Standards? Check out Ben's Guide to the U.S. Government. (Click Here) Make sure you click on the appropriate age group.
Consider this Student Opportunity:
The Georgia Department of Education tweeted out information on a scholarship opportunity for middle school Students. Please encourage your "patriotic" middle school students who might be interested in winning a $5,000 college scholarship to apply for the VFW Youth Scholarship. The student entry deadline is October 31, 2018. For more information and a list of candidate requirements, visit the Veterans of Foreign Wars website. We'd love to see a CCSS student win this awesome award! (Click Here)
Middle School District Social Studies Meeting
Don't forget to attend our first District Social Studies Meeting on September 26th. The meeting will take place at Evans Middle School. Please try to arrive by 4:10 at the latest.
Additional professional development opportunities are located within the section titled Professional Development for All.
Attention High School Social Studies Teachers:
District High School Social Studies Meetings
Quarterly high school social studies meetings are in the works for CCSS teacher workdays scheduled throughout the school year. More information on individual dates, times, and locations will be shared with you very soon. Please be on the lookout for these meeting dates.Learning Activities for Covering Government Topics
In addition to iCivics, Ben's Guide to the U.S. Government may be useful in engaging your Civics students in fun activities about the government. (Click Here) Make sure you click on the appropriate age group.
Additional professional development opportunities are located within the section titled Professional Development for All.
Social Studies Civic Engagement Diploma Seal
Be on the lookout for more information regarding the Social Studies Civic Engagement Diploma Seal Program. A district application to the Department of Education is in the works. Upon acceptance, your school will have the ability to offer a Civic Engagement Seal to students who demonstrate a strong interest in various social studies contents and actively participate in community involvement opportunities. For more information about the seal program and specific requirements, please click here.
Consider this Student Opportunity:
The Georgia Department of Education tweeted out information on a scholarship opportunity for High School Students. Please encourage your "democracy-loving" high school students looking to gain a $30,000 college scholarship to apply. The student entry deadline is October 31, 2018. For more information and a list of candidate requirements, visit the Veterans of Foreign Wars website. We'd love to see a CCSS student win this awesome award! (Click Here)
Consider this Student Opportunity:
Do you have a student(s) that displays a strong passion for history and/or American government? Consider this outstanding opportunity (Georgia Deadline October 22, 2018):
The United States Senate Youth Program, established in 1962 by U.S. Senate Resolution, is a unique educational experience for outstanding high school students interested in pursuing careers in public service. The 57th annual program will be held in Washington, D.C., from March 2 – 9, 2019.
Two student leaders from each state, the District of Columbia and the Department of Defense Education Activity will spend a week in Washington experiencing their national government in action. Student delegates will hear major policy addresses by senators, cabinet members, officials from the Departments of State and Defense and directors of other federal agencies, as well as participate in meetings with the president and a justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. All transportation, hotel and meal expenses will be provided by The Hearst Foundations. In addition, each delegate will also be awarded a $10,000 college scholarship for undergraduate studies, with encouragement to pursue coursework in history and political science. To apply, please contact your state selection contact.
Professional Learning for All
Instructional Technology Training: Nearpod
Want to Register? Click Here
Thursday, Sep 27, 2018, 04:00 PM
167 Werz Industrial Blvd, Newnan, GA, USA
Historical Thinking + Literacy = K-2 Social Studies Labs
Come into the lab and see what's on the slab as we dissect a good history lab for primary grades to examine its anatomy. We will experiment with a lab and then cook up our own, making sure to mix thoroughly with literacy skills.
The workshop, facilitated by GaDOE Social Studies - JoAnn Wood
Want to Register? Click Here
Thursday, Sep 6, 2018, 08:30 AM
Middle Georgia RESA, Cohen Walker Drive, Warner Robins, GA, USA
Advanced Placement: Selected Topics in AP Micro (AP Economics Teachers)
This one-day workshop for AP teachers is led by experienced AP teachers and exam readers. The program takes an in-depth look at special topics in Microeconomics ONLY. Early registrants will be polled to help decide topics to be presented. There is no registration fee for this workshop, instructional materials are provided, substitute reimbursement is available, and lunch is included.
Want to Register? Click Here
Monday, Sep 10, 2018, 08:30 AM
Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, Peachtree Street Northeast, Atlanta, GA, USA
Fiscal Policy: Shaping the Nation's Financial Future (ECON) (Teachers, Grade 12)
Register by September 11, 2018
Want to Register? Click Here
Thursday, Sep 13, 2018, 08:30 AM
Fayette County School System, GA, USA
Fiscal Policy: Political Decision Making--GOVT (Government Teachers 9-12)
Register by September 14, 2018
Want to Register? Click Here
Tuesday, Sep 18, 2018, 08:00 AM
Fayette County School System, GA, USA
2018 GCSS Annual Conference
You may register online by visiting www.gcss.net.
Wednesday, Oct 10, 2018, 08:30 AM
The Classic Center, North Thomas Street, Athens, GA, USA
Economic Turmoil: The Great Depression and World War II (Teachers, Grades 5 and 8)
Register by October 16, 2018
Want to Register? Click Here
Thursday, Oct 18, 2018, 08:30 AM
Newton County School System - Board of Education, Newton Drive Northeast, Covington, GA, USA
Election Economics (Teachers, Grades 8-12)
Citizenship education must include active involvement in public affairs, ranging from the very simple task of voting to the heightened commitment of seeking election to public office. Our free market economic system and democratic way of life does not just “happen.” It requires that citizens take on the responsibility of evaluating issues and candidates so that informed votes can be cast. This one-day workshop for teachers grades 8-12 (history, government, and economics) provides participants with ten lessons to motivate students to understand the opportunity costs associated with voting; economic decision making in light of political beliefs and the budget, and more. There is no registration fee for this workshop, instructional materials are provided, substitute reimbursement is available, and lunch is included.
Want to Register? Click Here
Friday, Oct 19, 2018, 08:30 AM
Jimmy Carter National Historic Site, North Bond Street, Plains, GA, USA
Economic Decision Making and the U.S. Civil Rights Movement (Teachers, Grades 5 and 8)
Register by December 4, 2018
Want to Register? Click Here
Thursday, Dec 6, 2018, 08:30 AM
Newton County Public Schools, By Pass Ave, Covington, GA, USA
Comments, Concerns, Questions?
Email: phillip.sykes@cowetaschools.net
Website: http://curriculum.cowetaschools.org/
Location: 167 Werz Industrial Boulevard, Newnan, GA, USA
Phone: 770-254-2800
Twitter: @Syked4SS