Social Studies Insider
October 2018
Collaboration is on the Rise- Let's Keep it Going!
Social Studies Content Specialist Request Form:
Wanted: Social Studies Digital Resource Tools
Celebrating our Educators:
The Georgia Economics Teacher of the Year
GLASS Outstanding Social Studies Supervisor Award
National History Teacher of the Year
Programs of Excellence (Consider this for next school year)
Congratulations Mr. John Garner- 2018 Gwen Hutchenson Outstanding Educator Award Recipient
Spotlighting Excellence:
Mrs. Dawson
This year, Ashley Dawson and her 8th grade colleagues have set out to deliver various hands-on experiences for students. As an 8th grade team, teachers have created and will deliver an event students will never forget! On October 4th, Lee Middle School students are traveling back in time to experience Colonial Georgia with the help of many parent and community volunteers. Each content area teacher will provide an activity that relates to their subject, colonial period, and connect to the 8th grade Georgia Studies GSE. Students will experience candle making, quill writing, colonial food (churning homemade butter), sewing, calculating how long it will take them to travel distances by foot, and many other aspects of colonial life in a full day of cross-curricular learning. Students, teachers, and volunteers will also be dressing for the occasion thanks to the Newnan Theatre Company and The Fresh Market who donated all of the supplies necessary. This will be an event that the students and teachers never forget and, hopefully, will stand as a new tradition at Lee Middle School.
Mr. Xydias
Joining the Madras Middle School team this year is Michael Xydias. Mr. Xydias currently teaches 8th grade social studies after working in Rockdale County for the last 7 years as a social studies teacher and later as a digital learning specialist. In June 2018, Mr. Xydias was invited to present a session to about 200 educators at the International Society of Technology in Education conference (ISTE) in Chicago and has also been invited to present a workshop and three separate sessions at the Georgia Educational Technology Conference this upcoming November. From engaging his students (and parents) with escape rooms, reenactments, and Flipgrid, his use of technology, engaging instruction, and outside-the-box thinking have been a great addition to the department and school. You can follow him on Twitter at @mxydias1.
What does the Literature Say?
In the age of technology, teaching communication, service, and caring skills have never been more important. Dive into this article geared towards 1st-grade teachers and students.
Teaching students to use primary sources is a skill that students will need throughout their life. It will allow students to analyze and make meaning from historical fact. Check out this article on Analyzing Historical Primary Sources. Click Here
Incorporating Standards Based Social Studies Related Reads:
Columbus Day up for Discussion?
Elementary:
Christopher Columbus- Reader's Theater
Christopher Columbus: The Man, the Myth, the Legend
The Indians' Discovery of Columbus
Cyberspace Explorer: Getting to know Christopher Columbus
Grades 9-12:
Other Worlds: The Voyage of Columbus
Why do we celebrate Christopher Columbus?
Who was Christopher Columbus?
What was Christopher Columbus' mission?
Looking for Field Trip Ideas?
As temperatures cool down, why not get students up close and personal with Atlanta's historical past. Historic Oakland Cemetery offers interactive tours for students of all ages. An experienced docent will lead students through the cemetery's six acres, the African American Grounds, Jewish Sections, Confederate Memorial Grounds, and other burial areas. As students progress through the garden cemetery, they will discover the stories of citizens who shaped the development of Atlanta.
School tours of Oakland Cemetery reflect the diverse development of Atlanta, the State, and the American South. A visit to this Victorian garden cemetery provides opportunities to start a dialogue about the historic past and create a space for learning outside the classroom.
Tour Prices: $6 for students and $12 for adults.
All proceeds benefit the restoration of Oakland Cemetery.
A few tour options that are GSE aligned:
- Sights, Symbols, and Stories of Oakland
90-minute tour experience
160 students, 16 chaperones max.
SS4H5, SS4H6, SS5H1, SS5H6, SS5G2, SS8H5, SS8H6, SS8H7, SS8H10, SS8H12, SSUSH8, SSUSH9, SSUSH10, SSUSH11, SSUSH13, SSSocC1, SSSocC2, and SSSocC3.
This interactive guided tour engages students on a trip through Atlanta’s history, from the founding of the city by early pioneers to the Civil Rights Movement and beyond. Students will visit different character areas of Oakland, including the African American Grounds and Jewish burial sections, and learn about different burial and cultural traditions. - We Shall Overcome: African American Stories from Civil War to Civil Rights
75-minute tour experience
25-30 students, 3 chaperones max.
SS4H5, SS4H6, SS8H5, SS8H6, SS8H7, SS8H10, SS8H11, SS8H12, SSUSH10, SSUSH11, SSUSH13, and SSUSH22.
Explore the lives and accomplishments of outstanding, and ordinary, African Americans who fought to overcome the effects of slavery and racism to help shape the history of Atlanta.
Bring the Field Trip to your School
Peter Bonner- Historical Program Provider
Peter will arrive in a museum quality costume for a 90-minute history program at your school. His programs combine both his stories and his large collection of original and reproduction items to see and touch. His goal is always to educate, inspire, and leave the group excited and ready to learn more. The cost of his program is $5.00 per student (teachers, administrators, and parents are free) and payment is required at the time of the performance. To find out more about a particular program and to reserve a date, simply contact Peter via email at peter@peterbonner.com.
Peter is currently providing the following programs:
- Pilgrims and Indians (Kindergarten-Second Grade)
- Mary Musgrove, Tomochichi, and the Creeks (Frist-Third Grade)
- Colonial Georgia/Revolutionary War (All Grades)
- The Civil War (All Grades)
- Georgia's Black History 1776-1900 (All Grades)
FieldTrip Zoom
FieldTrip Zoom provides you with an online catalog that allows you to search, order, schedule, and connect to hundreds of live interactive programs from around the world. These STEAM focused programs provide your students with unique and engaging learning experiences that can be customized to supplement your in-class curriculum. To view available programs, Click Here. Contact our representative for more information: Click Here. Yearly subscription cost per year, per teacher- $50.
Holocaust Learning Trunk Project
The project provides trunks full of educational materials throughout the state. The trunks are only available for use by middle schools. There is no cost to house or access these trunks.
The contents provide an interdisciplinary supplement to curriculum already in place. The resources assist educators in fulfilling the State's Standards of Excellence.
Click Here to Check Out a Trunk
President Lincoln Impersonator
Bring history to life in your classroom with one of five Characters in the Classroom outreach presentations based on Georgia History. Each 45 minute presentation includes a historical character that encourages student participation, and hands-on activities that include reproduction artifacts, photographs, and period clothing. These programs are geared for students in grades K–12, and have incorporated some of the Georgia Standards of Excellence.
Single classroom visits are $100 with a maximum of 50 students per presentation. Each additional presentation is $50 on the same day and must be the same topic. Title I schools receive a 50% discount during the 2018–2019 school years. Please request presentations at least 3 weeks in advance.
Travel trunks are available for monthly rental ($100/month), and are designed to assist teachers in highlighting various chapters in our nation’s history. Each trunk includes a teacher’s guide and a selection of hands-on materials. Title I schools receive a 50% discount on traveling trunks during the 2018–2019 school year. Please request traveling trunks at least 3 weeks in advance of pick-up date.
For more information, please email outreach@atlantahistorycenter.com.
Attention Elementary Social Studies Teachers:
Teachers Pay Teachers:
Although teachers are relying on TPT regularly to pull resources together for their Social Studies lessons, it is important to review the material and double check resource alignment to the GSE. Brain Wrinkles is a TPT provider and has produced a number of Georgia based resources for teachers and is being used across the district. If interested in checking out some of this provider's artifacts, Click Here.
Integrating Social Studies into your ELA/Reading Lessons Made Easy
Located within the GA DOE Teacher Notes, teachers can find a list of standards connected books that can easily be integrated into your ELA/Reading lessons.
For Kindergarten access, Click Here.
For 1st Grade access, Click Here.
For 2nd Grade access, Click Here.
For 3rd Grade access, Click Here.
For 4th Grade access, Click Here.
For 5th Grade access, Click Here.
Additional professional development opportunities are located within the section titled Professional Development for All. New workshops have been added for 3-5th grades.
Attention Middle School Social Studies Teachers:
6th Grade Teacher Notes
The DOE has completed their update of teacher notes for 6th grade. The modified teacher notes can be accessed using the links below.
7th Grade Teacher Notes
For those wondering why the DOE only provides teacher notes for Southwest Asia... DOE contractors are working on the remaining units of study for grade seven. Joy Hatcher from the DOE informed me that the next section would be ready and released during the first week of October. Be on the lookout for more information- I will send a link once the new section is live.
Current Teacher Notes Available: Southwest Asia
Teachers Pay Teachers:
Although teachers are relying on TPT regularly to pull resources together for their Social Studies lessons, it is important to review the material and double check resource alignment to the GSE. Brain Wrinkles is a TPT provider and has produced a number of Georgia based resources for teachers and is being used across the district. If interested in checking out some of this provider's artifacts, Click Here.
Middle School District Social Studies Meeting
Don't forget to attend the District Social Studies Meeting on October 24th. The meeting will take place at Lee Middle School. Please try to arrive by 4:10 at the latest.
Consider this Student Opportunity:
The Georgia Department of Education tweeted out information on a scholarship opportunity for middle school Students. Please encourage your "patriotic" middle school students who might be interested in winning a $5,000 college scholarship to apply for the VFW Youth Scholarship. The student entry deadline is October 31, 2018. For more information and a list of candidate requirements, visit the Veterans of Foreign Wars website. We'd love to see a CCSS student win this awesome award! (Click Here)
Additional professional development opportunities are located within the section titled Professional Development for All.
Attention High School Social Studies Teachers:
District High School Social Studies Meetings
Quarterly high school social studies meetings have been scheduled for CCSS teacher workdays scheduled throughout the school year. Our first high school meeting will take place on October 5th. Please see the schedule below for specific times and locations. We will be discussing GCA at our first meeting. Looking forward to seeing everyone there.Social Studies Civic Engagement Diploma Seal
Our district application for the Civic Engagement Diploma Seal has been submitted to the Department of Education. Please be on the lookout for more information about this program. Both East Coweta and Newnan High schools will be offering this opportunity to students. Once approved by the state DOE, student requirements will be sent out to department heads. I encourage each high school to run morning announcements about this opportunity to attract student interest.
Consider this Student Opportunity:
The Georgia Department of Education is providing a scholarship opportunity for High School Students. Please encourage your "democracy-loving" high school students looking to gain a $30,000 college scholarship to apply. The student entry deadline is October 31, 2018. For more information and a list of candidate requirements, visit the Veterans of Foreign Wars website. We'd love to see a CCSS student win this awesome award! (Click Here)
Grade Level/Course Specific Professional Learning with Virtual Specialist:
Introducing a new Free online professional learning community exclusively for Georgia educators. The Georgia DOE has created course and grade level specific Professional Learning Communities, led by Virtual Specialists, where educators from across the state can connect with each other to share experiences, resources, lesson plans, and instructional activities. For access, Click Here.
Start your EOCT Spiral Reviews Now:
It is never too soon to begin embedding spiral review. The EOC's will be here before you know it. Get a jump start on reviewing with your students. Click Here to access the DOE Georgia Milestone's EOC Review Guides for U.S. History and Economics.
Additional professional development opportunities are located within the section titled Professional Development for All. New workshops have been added for grades 9-12.
Network Connectors
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:
2018 GCSS Annual Conference
You may register online by visiting www.gcss.net.
Wednesday, Oct 10, 2018, 08:30 AM
300 North Thomas Street, Athens, GA, USA
Economic Turmoil: The Great Depression and World War II (Teachers, Grades 5 and 8)
This workshop is focused on economic growth in Georgia during World War II. Topics will include economic issues in Germany in the 1930s and the rise of Hitler, the role of women in the workforce, the Bell Bomber plant in Marietta, military bases in Georgia, and how these impacted the state and nation during the 1940s and 1950s. There is no registration fee, materials are provided at no charge, substitute reimbursement is offered, and lunch is included.
Want to Register? Click Here
Thursday, Oct 18, 2018, 08:30 AM
2190 Newton Drive Northeast, Covington, GA, USA
Election Economics (Teachers, Grades 8-12)
Citizenship education must include active involvement in public affairs, ranging from the very simple task of voting to the heightened commitment of seeking election to public office. Our free market economic system and democratic way of life does not just “happen.” It requires that citizens take on the responsibility of evaluating issues and candidates so that informed votes can be cast. This one-day workshop for teachers grades 8-12 (history, government, and economics) provides participants with ten lessons to motivate students to understand the opportunity costs associated with voting; economic decision making in light of political beliefs and the budget, and more. 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, Oct 19, 2018, 08:30 AM
300 North Bond Street, Plains, GA, USA
GCA-Follow-Up Training
Thursday, Oct 25, 2018, 04:00 PM
167 Werz Industrial Boulevard, Newnan, GA, USA
Financial Literacy for High School
Interactive lessons, exposure to exciting online resources, and rich content are all included in the new Financial Literacy workshop for High School teachers. Teachers leave this workshop with lessons developed by Georgia teachers that address the standards in the Economics course as well as the recently approved DOE Personal Financial Literacy course. There is no registration fee for this workshop, instructional materials are provided, lunch is included, and substitute teacher reimbursement is available.
Want to Register? Click Here
Friday, Nov 2, 2018, 08:30 AM
Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, Peachtree Street Northeast, Atlanta, GA, USA
Incorporating Literacy and Economics in the Grade 3 Curriculum
This workshop focuses on strategies and new materials that will help 3rd grade teachers incorporate effective literacy strategies into creative and engaging math, science, language arts, and social studies lessons. There is no registration fee for this workshop, instructional materials are provided, substitute reimbursement is available, and lunch is provided.
Want to Register? Click Here
Thursday, Nov 8, 2018, 08:30 AM
Fayette County School System, GA, USA
Teaching the GSE in Grade 5: Economics in US History
The Georgia elementary school curriculum in social studies provides students a strong foundation in the history of the United States. This one-day workshop for 5th grade teachers is designed to highlight economics in US history during the 20th Century. Participants will receive six lessons designed specifically for the implementation of the Georgia Standards of Excellence. There is no registration fee for this workshop, instructional materials are provided, substitute reimbursement is available, and lunch is included.
Friday, Nov 9, 2018, 08:30 AM
Jimmy Carter National Historic Site, North Bond Street, Plains, GA, USA
Economic Decision Making and the U.S. Civil Rights Movement (Teachers, Grades 5 and 8)
Register by December 4, 2018
Want to Register? Click Here
Thursday, Dec 6, 2018, 08:30 AM
11031 By Pass Ave Covington, GA
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