Social Studies Weekly
Year 7 Volume 5 ~ September 23, 2019
Our students often struggle with vocabulary. Sara Freeman-Church at Kennedy has created a word wall that she uses with her students. She refers to the word wall regularly during lessons. This is a great way to help students build their vocabulary and apply their knowledge.
The 6 Week Fall Benchmark window is from October 7th-10th. The pacing calendar has the 7th and 8th blocked off for the benchmark. By these dates, according to pacing, each course would have learned all of the content contained on the benchmark.
For specifics about each benchmark, click the appropriate link below:
Check the landing page for each course on the PSL/Haiku Social Studies Resource page to access review materials for the 6 Week Fall Benchmark.
Truliant Grant
Truliant offers Financial Education Grants for up to $5000. Thinking ahead to the new Economics and PFL course that is on the horizon, this grant could be used for professional development, curriculum development and peer to peer training. The Financial Educators Council offers an online Financial Literacy Certification. If you are interested in something like this, let Melissa know.
Ashsbrook Seminar: Modern Social Movements
NCDPI, in collaboration with Ashbrook Center at Ashland University, has organized a professional learning opportunity for Social Studies and English Language Arts educators for grades 7-12. The Modern Social Movements Seminar will be held on Saturday, October 26th in Waynesville, NC. The link to register for the Ashbrook session is now open. A light breakfast will be provided as well as lunch. Travel to and from the session is the responsibility of participants.
DPI: Inquiry Design PD Opportunity
DPI has developed a Canvas course in Inquiry Design prior to the seminar. This Canvas course will begin September 27, 2019. After completion of the course and attendance at the Ashbrook seminar (see above), teachers will then have the opportunity to create and submit an Inquiry that may be placed in Schoolnet. Any teachers interested in completing the Canvas course, in addition to attending the Ashbrook seminar, should also complete an additional registration form. The deadline for registration is September 26, 2019.
Using Google Forms for Tardy Sign-in
This tech tip comes from Ellen Cruz at Parkland. She has created a bit.ly and QR code for students to use when they are late. They use their phones or hers (if they don't have one) to check-in when they are late. This helps her keep up with entering her tardies. It took very little effort to get her student on board and said it is working really well for her.
William Lee
William Lee was an enslaved man owned by George Washington. Click Here to learn about his story.
World History
Believe it or not, we are on our way to the Middle Ages. According to pacing, we will begin looking at feudalism by the end of this week. The focus in the first part of the Middle Ages unit is on religion influences unity and political power in addition to the struggle over power and authority between the religious and secular ideals. This reading activity about the Magna Carta helps address the latter objective.
Civics and Economics
This week we are heading into Unit 3, which looks at political parties, elections, and how laws are made. As you look at elections and campaigns, The Living Room Candidate provides access to a variety of political ads going back to the 1950s. Also, there are great activities related to the documentary Patricrocy housed in PSL/Haiku. See the information below to access the documentary:
password: patriocracY2012
American History 1
We are wrapping up Unit 2 this week. As you prepare to access Unit 2, remember there are M/C questions available for each AM1 Unit. Here are the ones for Unit 2. As we look toward Unit 3, one of the first topics we examine is how the United States will decide to deal with the economic problems after the Revolution. This activity was created to examine these concerns.
American History 2
This week we are moving into Unit 3 which focuses on foreign policy and the United States. We being this unit with trade and imperialism. There are many resources in the PSL/Haiku resource folder on the Spanish American War for this unit, like this one. If you have a great activity for Open Door Policy please share it with Melissa.
Message from Melissa
In a little over a week, it will be October. It is hard to believe, especially when you step outside. I mean really, in order to enjoy pumpkin spice, it really needs to be in the low 70s.
This Thursday and Friday I will be in Raleigh working on the standards revision. I hope to have some information regarding the courses for you next Monday.
Please give me a shout if you need help with anything.
Melissa
Email: mmmcgready@wsfcs.k12.nc.us
Website: http://wsfcs.k12.nc.us/Domain/54
Phone: 813-388-3999