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Social Studies Insider

September 2021

Social StudiesInsiderSeptember 2021

Back to Business!

We've had a great start across all CCSS schools! Please continue to utilize the resources provided and shared effective tools and strategies via Google Classroom. The level of collaboration witnessed over the last several weeks is exciting and will directly impact our districts' students immensely. As you continue to reach towards achieving your goals and plans for the year, please utilize your Content Specialist as a resource. A major goal this year is to spend time with you during your planning hour or even within your instructional periods. If interested in a meeting or class visit, please complete the form by clicking the button below. Keep up the great work!
Social Studies Content Specialist Request Form

Plug-In and Re-Charge with Google Classroom

If you haven't already joined, wait no longer! You do not want to continue missing out on the great things teachers are sharing and discussing on Google Classroom. Utilize this platform to collaborate, distribute, and collect new teaching resources to add to your teaching toolbox.
GA DOE Virtual Professional Learning Communities

2021-2022 Social Studies Curriculum Meetings

Mark your calendar now for this year's social studies curriculum meetings. Each meeting will provide an opportunity for fellowship, collaboration, professional learning, and fun.

Social Studies Digital Resources

Attention all social studies teachers: If you know of a great digital resource that helps elevate your social studies lessons and should be added to the Digital Resource Tools List, please share that with phillip.sykes@cowetaschools.net or via your district social studies Google Classroom. Content Specialists are constantly looking for helpful "go-to" tools that will help increase 21st-century skills, created genuine engagement, and immerse students in opportunities that require critical thinking. To access the current list, please click the button below.


New to the List this Month: Canva Education

Hit the ground running on day one. Canva for Education has thousands of inspiring educational templates for you and your students. Create customized presentations, worksheets, infographics, reports, and more this upcoming school year.


Canva for Education seamlessly integrates with key Learning Management Systems, giving you more time to focus on building meaningful connections with your students and preparing them for the next step.


Take class collaboration to new heights. Invite your students to work on projects together in real-time. Canva for Education has resources for every subject, grade, and ability, which you can seamlessly share, review, and provide feedback on.

Get Creative with Canva for Teachers

World History Student Video Dictionary

Looking for student-friendly video clips for your World History lessons? Check out the video dictionary organized by the Georgia Department of Education. These videos are appropriate for grades 6, 7, and 10.
World History Student Video Dictionary

U.S. History Student Video Dictionary

These are ​short, classroom appropriate videos designed to support students in U.S. History. This high school social studies playlist can also be accessed on the GSO YouTube channel where you can like these vi​deos and subscribe to our channel.​​
U.S. History Student Video Dictionary

Teaching the 20th Anniversary of September 11, 2001

Teaching September 11th can be a difficult task for many teachers. The content is violent and extremely difficult for children to fully understand without getting bogged down by the gruesome details of that terrible September day. Nick News, hosted by Linda Ellerbee, is an objective educational news program that has safely navigated the waters during critical events in our recent history. Ellerbee provides a focused and "to the point" explanation of what happened during various critical events that remain age appropriate. If you will be including a discussion on September 11th within your social studies lessons this month, consider using this video as a guide. Click the image below to access Nick News: What Happened: The Story of September 11th, 2001.
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Resources to Mark the 20th Anniversary (K-12)

In this session, the GaDOE Social Studies team shares tips for teaching about 9-11-2001 in age/grade appropriate ways. Resources are highlighted that will help your students to learn about 9-11 and to consider the ways that this event has been remembered since.
Teaching About 9-11: Resources to Mark the 20th Anniversary (K-12)

Resources for Constitution Day (September 17th)

Public Law 108-447 requires the designation of Constitution Day and Citizenship Day on September 17 of each year. The purpose of Constitution Day and Citizenship Day is to commemorate the formation and signing on September 17, 1787, of the Constitution and recognize all who, by coming of age or by naturalization, have become citizens. Please remember to recognize September 17th, Constitution Day, in your system/school.


  • Liberty Notes on the Bill of Rights
    - Download offline publication
  • The National Archives
  • - Images of the Constitution
    - A History of the creation of the Constitution
    - Questions and answers about the Constitution
    - Delegates to the Constitutional Convention
  • National Constitution Center
    - An interactive Constitution
  • The Library of Congress: American Memory Collection
    - Documents from the Continental Congress and Constitutional Convention
  • The Center for Civic Education
    - Lessons for Constitution Day and Citizenship Day
  • Georgia Student Voting Information (iVote)
  • The iCivics Website

National Hispanic Heritage Month

Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.


The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988, on the approval of Public Law 100-402.


The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18, respectively. Also, Columbus Day or Día de la Raza, which is October 12, falls within this 30 day period.


Click on the image below for a slide show of significant Hispanic figures that have impacted history around the world. Within the slide show, a slide is designated for one important figure. Use this slideshow to encourage multi-culturalism within your class.

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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

Georgia Historical Society

Georgia WWI Commission

National Council for History Education

Newnan-Coweta Historical Society

Professional Learning for All Professional Learning for All

Event Information

GCEE 4th Grade Workshop (Full Day)

This workshop features two unique children’s books, poems, and articles to help fourth grade teachers incorporate effective literacy strategies into creative and engaging content-integrated lessons. The books are provided to teachers along with all lessons demonstrated at the workshop. Time will be provided to prepare lesson materials for immediate classroom use. There is no registration fee for this workshop substitute reimbursement is available, and lunch is provided.


We will meet in the PLC; Substitute expenses will be covered by GCEE; Lunch will be provided to teachers free of charge; all resources showcased will be distributed to participating teachers.


Want to Register? Click Here.

When?

Thursday, Sep 9, 2021, 08:30 AM

Where?

Werz Industrial Boulevard, Newnan, GA, USA

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Event Information

GCEE 5th Grade Workshop (Full Day)

This workshop features two unique children’s books, poems, and articles to help fifth grade teachers incorporate effective literacy strategies into creative and engaging content-integrated lessons. The books are provided to teachers along with all lessons demonstrated at the workshop. Time will be provided to prepare lesson materials for immediate classroom use. There is no registration fee for this workshop substitute reimbursement is available, and lunch is provided.

We will meet in the PLC; Substitute expenses will be covered by GCEE; Lunch will be provided to teachers free of charge; all resources showcased will be distributed to participating teachers.


Want to Register? Click Here.

When?

Monday, Sep 13, 2021, 08:00 AM

Where?

Werz Industrial Boulevard, Newnan, GA, USA

location_on Open maps
Event Information

GCEE 6/7 Workshop (Full Day)

Description: This workshop is designed to help 6th and 7th grade teachers engage students in the economic concepts found in both the 6th and 7th grade Georgia Standards of Excellence. A portion of the workshop will also be dedicated to helping teachers find data to apply these concepts to the history, geography, and government standards found within the courses. A fully charged laptop or tablet is encouraged.


Audience: Teachers, Grades 6-8


We will meet in the SD1; Substitute expenses will be covered by GCEE; Lunch will be provided to teachers free of charge; all resources showcased will be distributed to participating teachers.


Want to Register? Click Here.

When?

Wednesday, Sep 22, 2021, 08:00 AM

Where?

Werz Industrial Boulevard, Newnan, GA, USA

location_on Open maps
Event Information

GCEE - Teach US History Using Economics (BRAND NEW) (Full Day) (Grades 9-12)

Description: U.S. History and Economics teachers benefit from this engaging and interactive workshop that demonstrates how economic concepts underpin most major events in U.S. History.


Audience: U.S. History and Econ Teachers, Grades 9-12

We will meet in the SD1; Substitute expenses will be covered by GCEE; Lunch will be provided to teachers free of charge; all resources showcased will be distributed to participating teachers.


Want to Register? Click Here.

When?

Tuesday, Sep 28, 2021, 08:30 AM

Where?

Werz Industrial Boulevard, Newnan, GA, USA

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Comments, Questions, Concerns?

Please contact Phil Sykes, Social Studies Content Specialist, with any questions, comments, or concerns.

Email: phillip.sykes@cowetaschools.net
Website: https://sites.google.com/cowetaschools.net/cowetasocialstudies/home
Location: 167 Werz Industrial Boulevard, Newnan, GA, USA
Phone: 770-254-2800
Twitter: @Syked4SS

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