Austin ISD Social Studies Weekly
October 26-November 1
Professional Development Opportunities
US History District-wide PLC
Have you had any of the following situations occur to you this year?
- Students not performing as well as you think they should?
- Having trouble finding the perfect resources for students to demonstrate understanding?
- Not sure how to intervene or differentiate for special groups of students in your classroom based on language or literacy challenges?
- Feel like you don't have enough time to plan for USH?
- Wonder if teachers at other campuses have any good ideas to share that might address some of the challenges you've been facing?
If you've answered yes to any of the above, then you need to attend the USH District-wide PLC this school year. We will have 1 meeting in the fall and 2 in the Spring.
The Social Studies Department will pay for a 1/2 day substitute for you to attend these meetings (which are on the same days as the high school department chair meetings...).
Email Melanie Kirchhof if you have any additional questions!
Teaching American History Spring Colloquia Deadline Reminder
This spring the colloquia topics will include:
- America in World War I (Kansas City, MO)
- Jefferson and Education (Charlottesville, VA)
- Reagan and the Modern Presidency (Grand Vista, Simi Valley, CA)
- The American Founding (Philadelphia, PA)
- LBJ as President: The Vietnam War (Austin, TX)
For more information regarding these programs, please click here.
APPLICATION DEADLINE is NOVEMBER 1, 2015
New online Lesson Plans and Teacher Resources
A Matter of Civil Rights: A Decision to Construct Legislation for Congress
This workshop allows participants to assume one of eight roles while participating in a simulation exercise using primary documents from our archives. The President’s Civil Rights Advisory Group includes individuals serving in the Johnson administration and prominent citizens. The task of this advisory group is twofold: (1) to determine the most pressing civil rights issues in the U.S., and (2) to advise the President on what remedies and programs should be included in major civil rights legislation he will send to Congress.
Before arriving, teachers or leaders, will receive preparation materials to give participants background knowledge on the roles, primary sources, and civil rights in the U.S.
WHO: Maximum of 32 high school students; adults; senior groups; team-building groups.
WHERE: The LBJ Library classrooms
COST: There is currently no cost
WHEN: Contact us to schedule your three-hour session
Register for this activity here.
Religious Liberty and Government Mandates
Religious Liberty and Government Mandates
The Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment has, for a long time, meant that the government is required to make accommodations for religious beliefs.
But what if government requires a family-owned corporation to fund insurance for medical services that violate that family's religious beliefs?
This question proved controversial for the Supreme Court in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby(2013) and continues to be debated in the public square.
Find out more about the Free Exercise Clause and religious liberty in this week's eLesson from Religious Liberty: An American Experiment on Voices of History. Remember to sign up for a free Voices of History account to view the complete lesson.
Student Contest Opportunities!
C-SPAN Classroom Bus at Akins HS
C-SPAN invites Austin ISD to enter Student Cam!
C-SPAN Classroom Bus at Anderson HS
StudentCam 2016 Prizes
GRAND PRIZE:
1 award - the best overall entry in either the High School or Middle School category.
Student(s): $5,000 award
Teacher/School: $750 to spend on digital video equipment for his/her school.
1ST PRIZE:
4 awards total - 3 total in the High School category (1 x West Region, 1 x Central Region, 1 x East Region), and 1 in the Middle School category.
Student(s): $3,000 to one middle school entry
$3,000 to three high school entries
Teachers/Schools: $500 to spend on digital video equipment for their schools.
2ND PRIZE:
16 awards total - 12 in the High School category (4 x West Region, 4 x Central Region, 4 x East Region), and 4 in the Middle School category.
Student(s): $1,500 to four middle school entries
$1,500 to twelve high school entries
Teachers/Schools: $250 to spend on digital video equipment for their schools.
3RD PRIZE:
32 awards total - 24 in the High School category (8 x West Region, 8 x Central Region, 8 x East Region), and 8 in the Middle School category.
Student(s): $750 to eight middle school entries
$750 to twenty-four high school entries
Teachers/Schools: $125 to spend on digital video equipment for their schools.
HONORABLE MENTION:
97 awards - awarded to entries from either the High School or Middle School category.
Student(s): $250
* Grand, 1st, and 2nd Prize videos may be aired on the C-SPAN Networks.
* All students with winning videos will receive a certificate of recognition and may be placed on C-SPAN's StudentCam Winners page.
Melanie Kirchhof
Email: melanie.kirchhof@austinisd.org
Website: tinyurl.com/AISDSocialStudies
Location: 1111 West 6th Street, Austin, TX, United States
Phone: 512-414-1274
Facebook: facebook.com/austinisd.socialstudies
Twitter: @Mrs_Kirchhof