Social Studies Insider
May 2019
It's the Final Count Down
Year-In-Review Recap Video
Gallopade Feedback Needed
Teachers who did not use the resource, but would like to add their perspectives are encouraged to complete the survey as well. There are questions that you can respond to that may help demonstrate a need for a social studies resource of some type.
For any teachers interested in more information about Gallopade, feel free to contact me.
NBC Learn Feedback Needed
Digital Resource Update
As an educational website for students, the process of learning is important. The arcade games are set up so students have to answer a general knowledge question in the subject area they are learning in order to play. They provide a trivia question review game format where the more often they provide a correct answer, the longer play time they get. These act as incentives to keep the student engaged in learning the study material. The reward for practicing the classroom material is playing the arcade game and we know students love games. As an example, Mrs. Christie Thompson at ECMS has provided a sample game she created for her students to use. Click Here to Access
Important News, Updates, and Events
5th Grade Pacing Guide Revision Session:
Any 5th grade social studies teachers interested in working with our pacing guide committee should add their name to the list by clicking on this link. We will be meeting on May 8th at WERZ. We will begin at 2:45 pm and should end by 5 pm. If an additional session is needed, I will schedule that meeting accordingly.
Be on the lookout for more information including the registration link to WWI 360- Teach Like an Ace. This interactive, interdisciplinary WWI teacher workshop will be presented by the National WWI Museum and Memorial & the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Registration is Free and Breakfast and Lunch will be provided. This is an opportunity you won't want to miss!
Attention 8th and 11th Grade Teachers:
Looking for an interesting resource to supplement your Civil Rights unit? Check out WABE (Public Broadcasting/NPR's) new podcast series Buried Truth. Season 1 surrounds events involving the infamous Eugine Talmadge. As always, preview content to ensure it's completely suitable for your student audience.
Click the link to access audio links.
The Coweta Innovation Summit is an opportunity for Coweta educators to share their work with other Coweta Educators. Sessions cover different classroom topics like STEM/STEAM, Google Apps & Add-ons, PBIS, & more. Its a fun, safe environment to learn new things to help spark growth in your classroom or school. Door prizes include a 50 inch LCD TV, Yeti Coolers, and more "summer fun" items.
Date: Friday, May 31, 2019
Time: 8:30am-4:00pm -Lunch Provided- VARSITY FOOD TRUCK- 2 entrees, 1 side
Location: Nixon Centre for the Arts
Cost: $20 ($25 for non-Coweta attendees) Make check payable to "Coweta STEM Institute". Send via courier to Donald White at Werz by May 24 or pay at the door.
Want to Present? Click Here.
Questions? Contact: donald.white@cowetaschools.net
Teacher Spotlight
Mrs. Richie is a long time educator in Coweta County. She has been teaching for 19 years and has a P-5 as well as 4-8(Social Science) endorsement. She has taught 4th, 5th and kindergarten and has been at Thomas Crossroads for the last 13 years. She is passionate about Social Studies and has been ever since she was little. She enjoys sharing her rich knowledge and experiences traveling the world.
Wendy Weatherford, 5th Grade Social Studies, Canongate Elementary
Ms. Weatherford challenges herself to find new and innovative ways to teach the 5th Grade Social Studies curriculum. She continuously engages her students by making a real-life connection to learning. Recently, students were visited by Vietnam guest speaker, Mr. Jeff Ward. She incorporates technology and writing throughout the curriculum. She allows students to become active learners. When asked, students shared these comments about Ms. Weatherford, "She's really nice. She gives second chances, and sometimes even third chances. I like that we play Kahoot for review and we do projects that include written responses. Overall, she's a chill teacher!"
Ms. Weatherford is a team player and supports her 5th-grade colleagues by incorporating language arts skills and writing tasks into her teaching to strengthen what is being taught during the ELA block. She also goes above and beyond to serve our school and county by being on our school-wide Writing Committee and Grade 5 Social Studies Curriculum Representative. She also helps to produce our weekly news program, CNN (Canongate News Network). Next year she is expanding her leadership role by assuming the position of 5th Grade Chairperson on our School Based Leadership Team (SBLT). Our students are so lucky to experience Social Studies through her!
Michelle Gardiner is a 5th-grade teacher who brings learning into the hands of her students through innovative projects and historical narratives and writing assignments. Students are engaged as they write and respond as historical characters at different points throughout the year. As projects are presented, students take pride in what they have discovered and are eager to share these projects with their classmates and others who visit the classroom. As one observes, it is easy to see that Mrs. Gardiner has developed trusting and genuine relationships with her students. She takes the time to get to know their interests, learning styles, and outside activities. As she teaches social studies, Mrs. Gardiner helps her students to make those connections to real-world events and figures, often times discussing current events in relation to what they are learning or have previously learned. Her students truly enjoy the hands-on learning activities she plans. Mrs. Gardiner shows that history is not just about dates but people just like us who had an impact. She helps children to take a “walk” through history, and it is a joy to see!
Britteny Montgomery, 7th Grade Social Studies, Evans Middle
Evans Middle School is spotlighting one of our 7th grade Social Studies teacher, Mrs. Brittney Montgomery. Although Mrs. Montgomery is a first-year teacher, she has shown great leadership and curriculum development within her Social Studies classroom and department. She is very open to using technology in her classroom, including, FlipGrid, to keep her students engaged and sparking their curiosity to learn more about current topics. Her classroom is very interactive, and she has developed rigor through her incorporation of writing and cross-curricular literature projects. It is with great pleasure to showcase this innovative teacher.
Network Connectors
Looking to connect with others in the Social Studies field? Utilize the links below to connect with various organizations that may provide expertise and resources to better your professional networks.
Connect with Georgia's virtual learning community for Social Studies
Georgia Council for the Social Studies
Georgia Council on Economic Education
Professional Learning for All
Economics in Children's Literature: Grade 3
Want to Register? Click Here
Friday, May 3, 2019, 08:30 AM
Coweta County Schools- WERZ
Lights, Camera, Econ- The Economic Impact of the Film and TV Industry in Georgia (Grades 8, 9-12)
Georgia is now one of the largest hubs for television and film production in the c world. This one-day workshop for 8th - 12th grade teachers focuses on the various characteristics of Georgia that make this possible including Georgia's infrastructure, its location, crew-base and the all-important tax credit. 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, May 10, 2019, 08:30 AM
Coweta County Schools- WERZ
Historical Thinking + Literacy = K-5 Social Studies Labs
Want to Register? Click Here
Tuesday, May 14, 2019, 09:00 AM
99 Brown School Drive, Grantville, GA, USA
The Antidote for Feeling MEH in the Social Studies Classroom
Join teachers from our region at West Georgia RESA for an exciting workshop that will leave you energized and ready to teach social studies. In this interactive session, teachers will work with Joy Hatcher, GaDOE Social Studies Program Manager, to meet your daily required dose of inquiry and keep students on their mental toes. Ideas and resources for infusing inquiry and banishing apathy in grades 6-12 will be shared; bring your own and take home some new ones.
Want to Register? Click Here
Tuesday, May 14, 2019, 09:00 AM
99 Brown School Drive, Grantville, GA, USA
Grades 3-5: Utilizing Common Assessment Data and Developing Common Assessments with GCA / Common Resources within a Fingers Reach
Interested in joining? Click Here
Wednesday, Jun 12, 2019, 08:30 AM
Coweta County Schools- WERZ
Grades 6-8: Utilizing Common Assessment Data and Developing Common Assessments with GCA / The Power of Vertical Planning
Interested in joining? Click Here
Thursday, Jun 13, 2019, 08:30 AM
Coweta County Schools- WERZ
Grades 9-12: The Power of Vertical Planning / Pacing Guide Review
Interested in joining? Click Here
Thursday, Jun 13, 2019, 01:00 PM
Coweta County Schools- WERZ
Picturing History: Using Great Children's Literature to Spark Inquiry in Social Studies K-12
Want to Register? Click Here
Thursday, Jun 20, 2019, 08:00 AM
6321 U.S. 76, Young Harris, 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