Elementary Social Studies Advocates
January 2016 Newsletter
Happy New Year!
Book People/AISD Calpurnia Tate Literacy Program
The Calpurnia Tate books are by Austin author Jacqueline Kelly and are set at a significant time in Texas History -- the Galveston Hurricane of 1900. These books are centered around a young girl who falls in love with nature and science at a time when young girls weren't supposed to be interested in such things. The program includes copies of the book to libraries of participating schools as well as writing and research prompts. Schools are provided downloadable activities from the Zilker Botanical Garden, Zilker Science and Nature Center, LCRA and the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, information on field trips and details about booking an author's appearance at your school. For more information, contact the Book People Calpurnia Tate program.
Asian-American Heritage Month/Book Study
Opportunities in Social Studies
Advocates Meeting! Our spring Advocates Meeting is set for Thursday, February 11 at 3:30 at the Baker Center. We will go over events pertaining to Social Studies, professional development opportunities, a guest speaker and other activities. There will be the usual book give-away and, of course, treats. Sign up on HCP, Section #80182.
March 1 is the deadline for many summer travel PD opportunities, including the National Endowment for the Humanities , Gilder Lehrman Institute for American History,
Transatlantic Outreach Program to Germany and others.
The AISD Social Studies Department is currently making plans for summer professional development. You'll receive notices as these are scheduled.
To add Civics to your classroom, look into the National E-Congress interactive legislative simulation. To register between now and January 15, www.youthleadership.net. E-Congress is offered at no charge to educators.
The Texas General Land Office hosts is annual Primary Source Workshop on Monday, June 6. THE GLO has an amazing and wonderful collection of documents relating to Texas History. For more information, contact Buck.Cole@GLO.Texas.Gov.
Etc., Etc., Etc.
In and Around Austin
- See the La Belle on view at the Bullock Texas State History Museum in a permanent exhibit featuring artifacts from the famous ship.
- The current exhibit at the Austin History Center, "Making the Grade: Austin's First Public Schools" explores the difficulties Austin faced in establishing a free public school system in the 1870s.
- The Austin History Center will celebrate 100 years of operation for Mathews and Metz Elementary Schools in a reception on Tuesday, January 12, 6:30-8:00. The event is free and open to the public.
- The Bullock Texas State History Museum is sponsoring an Evening for Educators focusing on changing borders and border communities in Texas. Designed for teachers of all grade levels and including curriculum guides and activities, the event is free; parking at the museum will be complimentary. February 10, 5-8 pm -- Questions? (512) 936-4604 or education@thestoryoftexas.com.
How to Find Us
Email: beth.hudson@austinisd.org
Website: https://sites.google.com/a/austinisd.org/socialstudies/curriculum-resources
Location: 1111 West 6th Street, Austin, TX,
Phone: (512) 414-4410
Twitter: @bhudson22