Hello dear Social Studies friends,

I sincerely hope that you have had a restful time with family and friends this Thanksgiving Break. In the midst of all the craziness of the world, it is so important to take time to reflect on the things that make us thankful. For me personally, there has been a lot to be thankful for this season.

For those that were able to attend the TXCSS state Social Studies Conference in Roundrock a couple of weeks ago, I hope that it filled your heart and soul as much as it did mine to spend some REAL face to face time with friends and colleagues after such a long time. The professional development was second to none, but more importantly the fellowship and reconnecting was so invaluable. It was nice to "be in the room" again with like-minded friends learning and growing.

On a personal level, I have had time this Thanksgiving season to be thankful for family and new journeys. For some that know me (and many that don't), my husband and I began a journey nearly a year ago of becoming foster parents. We received our first placement right before the holiday break and have thoroughly enjoyed our time with this little one seeing the world through his eyes. It reminds me of how precious our children are and the truly awesome impact that we get to have on their futures.

I hope that your Thanksgiving was peaceful, fulfilling and rejuvenating this year.

Here are just a few items to bring to your attention in this issue:

• TEKS Revision Work Group Information and Application
• TEA Updates
• Mock Trial - Registration deadline is December 17
  
• Upcoming Professional Development Opportunities

As always, I would like to help in any way that I can to take something off your plate. Please feel free to reach out any time for a resource, idea, or support of any kind.

The SBOE is now accepting applications to serve on social studies TEKS review work groups. The SBOE's TEKS review and revision process calls for multiple, separate work groups. Applicants do not need to be educators to apply. Please enter information in the application that best reflects your experience. A link is provided below to the application.

https://tea.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_39LY0ZqSaPRQO6a

Work Groups

Throughout the revision process, applications are submitted to SBOE members for their review and approval. TEA then builds work groups from the pool of approved applicants and notifies selected applicants of their invitation to serve on a work group.

• Work group members will be expected to complete an online orientation session prior to their work group meeting.
• Work group members may be asked to complete pre-work exercises prior to their meeting.
• Work group members may be asked to provide invited testimony at SBOE meetings.

Questions related to the application for the social studies TEKS review and revision process can be directed to teks@tea.texas.gov.

HB 3979-> SB3

While HB 3979 went into effect September 1, 2021, the SBOE is required to revise the TEKS, as needed, by December 31, 2022. Since teachers must teach the current TEKS, they should continue teaching the current TEKS until the revision of the TEKS and the implementation of the revised TEKS have occurred. During the second special session of the Legislature, SB 3 was drafted, signed, and sent to the Governor's desk to be signed. Once it is signed (or after 30 days becomes law), it will supersede HB 3979. For more information and clarification, the Texas Council for the Social Studies has created some "guidelines" to assist with the interpretation of both - you can access those guidelines on the TXCSS website under the Advocacy tab or here for SB3 and here for HB3979.

SB 1063

SB 1063 provides for a new course combining personal financial literacy and economics. This course, once it is developed and has approved TEKS, can be used to satisfy a social studies graduation requirement. The bill did not add the course to the required curriculum. However, the State Board of Education (SBOE) has the authority to decide if the course should be part of the required curriculum and could make it so at some future date. If the SBOE does not take action, local districts will have the option to offer the course or not offer the course.

Come join us this Spring for some other exciting learning opportunities. Registration will be coming soon:

• Jan. 20 & Feb. 10 -_ Law Related Education - Ready, Set, Go: Reaching for the STAARS (8th & 11th Grade)
• Jan. 18, Feb. 15, April 12 & May 17 -- Ethnic Studies Cohort
• Jan. 26 & May 18 -- Understanding Our Students and Making Geography Learning Authentic w/ Powerful Geography (Virtual)
• Feb. 9 -- Teaching with DBQs: Engaging Students in Historical Inquiry and Thinking
• Feb. 17 -- Enhancing Historical Thinking Through Critical Conversations (1.0 and 2.0)

Join us for a series of monthly cohort meetings this Fall to explore the process of implementing Ethnic Studies courses (specifically the Mexican American and African American Studies courses) in your district. If you have already implemented these courses but would like to join to share your experiences and learn new ideas to implement next year, we encourage you to join in with us. We will discuss proposal ideas, planning the courses, instructional resources, and strategies for teaching with cultural sensitivity. Find support from educators in both Region 10 and Region 11 to create curriculum that will be ready to implement in the 2021-2022 school year.

These sessions are open to teachers, curriculum specialists, coordinators either currently teaching, implementing or planning either Ethnic Studies course or those that have plans to do so.

UPDATE:

OUR COHORT WILL CONTINUE THIS FALL WITH DATES ON SEPTEMBER 7, OCTOBER 5, NOVEMBER 9 & DECEMBER 7. REGISTRATION IS OPEN NOW.

Texas Law Related Education (LRE) provides an awesome opportunity (and some phenomenal resources) each year to showcase students' U.S. history knowledge. It's also a great way to review your kids before the STAAR administration. All events will be virtual, and you can find more information in the links below:

Region 10 Citizen Bee (High School)

• Written -- March 29th, 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.
• Oral -- March 30th, 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Region 10 Bee in a Box (Middle School)

• Written -- April 26th, 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.
• Oral -- April 27th, 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Hello Mock Trial Coordinators! The time has come to start building your teams and getting ready to register. As of right now, we will be FACE TO FACE this year!

This year's case is currently live.

REGISTRATION:

• Online team registration is open now! The link to register is HERE.
• The registration fee is $175 per team. Checks and credit cards only. No purchase orders will be accepted.

REGION 10 DATES:

• Saturday, January 29, 2022 - Region 10 Competition, George Allen Courthouse
  
• Saturday, February 5, 2022 - Dallas ISD/Region 10 Semi-Finals

STATE COMPETITION

• Thursday, March 3, 2022 3:00PM – 7:00PM State Competition Registration/Orientation – Belo Mansion
• Friday, March 4, 2022 7:00AM – 8:00PM State Competition – Rounds 1, 2, 3 – George Allen Courthouse
• Saturday, March 5, 2022 7:00AM – 8:00PM State Competition – Round 4 & Semi-Final and Final Rounds

REGISTRATION DEADLINE -- DECEMBER 17, 2022

For Additional Information Contact:

Melissa Garcia

Law-Related Education Coordinator

State Mock Trial Coordinator

Dallas Bar Association

214.220.7484

mgarcia@dallasbar.org

Kelly Bellar

Region 10 SS Consultant

972.348.1432

kelly.bellar@region10.org

The *NEW* Studies Weekly (K-5)

Here is some information from a session at the TXCSS conference that showcased the updates Studies Weekly has been making to their materials. For those who use these materials, I hope this information will be beneficial!

Below are some of the resources they are sharing out:

• https://bit.ly/NEWTX (hub for all resources)
• Link to their conference presentation
• Click Here to preview samples of the new Texas materials
• Texas support site for new materials (specific for Texas teachers only)

Preview the “new” Texas materials:

https://app.studiesweekly.com/online/

• Username: newtxteacher
• Password: earlyaccess

Check Them Out Below:

2018-2019:

September 2018, November 2018, February 2019, March 2019, April 2019, May 2019, June 2019

2019-2020:

August 2019, September 2019, October 2019, November 2019, December 2019, January 2020, February 2020, March 2020, April 2020 (Part 1), April 2020 (Part II), May 2020 (Part I), May 2020 (Part II) June 2020, July 2020

2020-2021:

August 2020, September 2020, October 2020, October 2020 (Part II), November/December 2020, December 2020, January 2021, February 2021, March 2021 (Part I), March 2021 (Part II), April 2021 (Part I), April 2021 (Part II), May 2021 (Part I), May 2021 (Part II), July 2021, August 2021, September 2021, September 2021 (Part II), October 2021

Email: kelly.bellar@region10.org
Website: https://www.region10.org/programs/social-studies/service-offerings/
Location: Richardson, TX, USA
Phone: 972-348-1432
Twitter: @Region10SS