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Social Studies Insider

October 2021

Social StudiesInsiderOctober 2021

Collaborate with Google Classroom

Continue to check Google Classroom for news and updates. In addition, feel free to share resources, ideas, photos, and lesson victories when possible. I appreciate all teachers who have joined, contributed, and communicated via the Social Studies Google Classrooms. Please continue to use the google classroom to seek answers to various content-based questions/concerns, gather and share content based resources, and receive updated news on various social studies initiatives.

Social Studies Content Specialist Request Form

In an effort to better support you, I'd love the opportunity to join you in your classroom and/or during your planning. Please feel free to request a classroom visit. I am here to help in any way possible. If interested, please complete the form below by clicking on the button.
Social Studies Content Specialist Request

Social Studies Digital Resource Tools

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.
Social Studies Digital Resource Tools
New to the List this Month: Seterra.com Memorizing the geography and location of countries just got fun! This map quiz game generator features colorful cartoons that represent the country or region you click on. To see all the pictures, you’ll need to work your way through the whole map. But it won’t feel like work as the map fills up bright cartoons, and before you know it, you’ll be able to pick out all the countries of a given region!

Attention Early Elementary Teachers: Fall Holidays

To complement your lessons on the fall holidays, check out these student-friendly videos that highlight the upcoming "fall" holidays.
Hispanic Heritage Month | All About the Holidays | PBS LearningMedia

Hispanic Heritage Month | All About the Holidays | PBS LearningMedia

There are about 54 million Hispanics and Latinos in the United States. That's a lot of people to celebrate! Across the country, Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated with festivals and community events recognizing the contributions of Hispanics and Latinos in the United States.

launch gpb.pbslearningmedia.org
Yom Kippur | All About the Holidays | PBS LearningMedia

Yom Kippur | All About the Holidays | PBS LearningMedia

Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the year for the Jewish people, known as the "Day of Atonement." Learn more about how the Jewish people observe traditions like fasting and asking forgiveness as they enter the new year.

launch gpb.pbslearningmedia.org
Indigenous Peoples' Day | All About the Holidays | PBS LearningMedia

Indigenous Peoples' Day | All About the Holidays | PBS LearningMedia

August 9th is Indigenous Peoples' Day. Created by the United Nations in 1994, the holiday honors indigenous people and cultures around the world. While there is no single definition for indigenous, indigenous people maintain close ties to their ancestral land and traditions.

launch gpb.pbslearningmedia.org
Halloween | All About the Holidays | PBS LearningMedia

Halloween | All About the Holidays | PBS LearningMedia

Halloween hasn't always been about candy and costumes. Take a look back at the historical traditions about spirits that are the basis for this holiday. You're in for a treat!

launch gpb.pbslearningmedia.org
Día de los Muertos | All About the Holidays | PBS LearningMedia

Día de los Muertos | All About the Holidays | PBS LearningMedia

With roots in ancient Mexico, Dia de los Muertos now combines multiple cultures in Mexico and the United States for celebration. This colorful three day event of costumes, food, and dance honors loved ones who have passed away.

launch gpb.pbslearningmedia.org

Recognizing Diverse Perspectives: Columbus Day & Indigenous Peoples' Day

As we approach October 11th, questions may come up surrounding Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples' Day. It will be important to remain unbiased and provide only the facts about each day. (Stay close to your standards and GA DOE-supported resources.) As history develops and more is understood about the past, the legacy of Christopher Columbus has become more questionable over the years. It is important to recognize the positive contributions Columbus and his crew left on the globe; however, it is critical that students also learn of the negative impacts his (and other explorers') explorations had on the indigenous people who were already living in North and South America. Their perspective is equally unique, valuable, and deserves to be heard. Check out the resources below to support any conversations you have with your students. The Georgia Department of Education has provided a number of resources that can be used to support your discussions. As always, preview all resources shared before using them with your students. You will want to make sure you believe they are appropriate for your specific student body.


Check out These Resources:

Columbus Day

History of the Holidays: Columbus Day

Exploration of North America

European Explorers of North America

Rethinking How We Celebrate American History- Indigenous Peoples' Day

What is Indigenous Peoples' Day?


Finally, the children's story of Coyote Columbus does a great job presenting factual information in a student-friendly way. Click Here for the Amazon link and story summary.

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. A special thank you to Brittania Wright at Willis Road Elementary for compiling these ideas and ways to highlight the significant impact Hispanic heritage has had on our nation.

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Video Resources from the Georgia State Bar Association

Attention 8th Grade, Civics, and US History Teachers: Do you teach about various court cases in US History? Do you cover various government standards? Do you need student-friendly video segments that help supplement your content? If so, check out the State Bar of Georgia's Youtube Channel. It is full of various tutorials, animated videos, easy to understand rundowns of numerous famous court cases and government concepts. Check out the quick links I have provided below as well as the sample video to get a feel for the resources available for you to use within your classroom.


Quick Links:

Baker vs. Carr- One Person, One Vote

Fletcher vs. Peck- Yazoo Land Fraud

United States vs. Nixon- No Person is Above the Law

The University of California vs. Bakke- Affirmative Action

The Boston Massacre Trial (1770)

Freeman vs. Pitts- School Integration

Plessy vs. Ferguson- Separate but Equal OK'ed by High Court

Brown vs. Board of Education (1954)- Separate is Not Equal

Marbury vs. Madison- Judicial Review is Established

The Lincoln Assassination (1865)- Conspiracy to Kill the President

Trial by Jury: What's the Big Deal?

Furman vs. Georgia (1972)- Moratorium on the Death Penalty

Gregg vs. Georgia (1976)- Capital Punishment Returns

Dred Scott Case- "Once Free, Always Free"

Worcester v. Georgia | "A Distinct Community"

Halloween Fun in Georgia Studies

Attention 8th Grade Teachers: Looking for a little "Hocus Pocus" to spice up your Halloween lesson? Check out this video and journey with the Georgia Traveler team for a Georgia Ghost Tour. Explore the Pirates House, a haunted restaurant in Georgia's most haunted city, ghoulish get a way at the Windsor Hotel, frighting family fun at Netherworld, and a local legend in Chickamauga. Throughout the entire segment, you will find content-based connections to the curriculum you have been teaching this year. (As always, preview the video to ensure that the video will be appropriate for your unique student body.)
Georgia Ghost Tour | Georgia Traveler

Attention Social Studies Teachers: October is Economic Education Month

GCEE is hosting several competitions to celebrate the first-ever Economic Education Month. I'd love to see our teachers and students recognized!


Teacher Competition: All across the nation, Economic Education month will be celebrated in October. Teachers know why economic education matters, it time to spread the word! Georgia teachers, tell us, in 60 seconds or less, what you love about teaching economics. Have fun, be creative, involve your students if you like! Submit your response by October 15th to be eligible to win $150! Let’s get excited about Economic Education Month! Click the link below and use GCEE2021 as your guest password.


Upload your video here!


Student Competition: The Georgia Council on Economic Education invites all K-12 of Georgia to submit an advertisement promoting Economic Education Month.

Advertisements may be created digitally or on a standard 8.5 x 11 sheet of blank paper. There will be one winner from each of the three divisions… Grades K-5, Grades 6-8, and Grades 9-12. This competition is open to public, private, and homeschool students. Student winners in each division will receive a $150 gift card and have their ad featured on our social media accounts and our GCEE.org website. The winning entries will also be displayed at the GCEE global headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia. The winning student’s sponsoring teacher will also receive a $150 gift card.


Submission Rules:

The original artwork should include a written tagline (catchy phrase about economic education) and colorful drawings that demonstrate the importance of economic education.

The artwork and message must include images related to the theme of economic education in K-12 schools in Georgia.


All entries will be judged on creativity and use of theme. All parts of the submission, including artwork, must be the original work of the student. No copyrighted nor trademarked logos, phrases, or other works will be accepted. The advertisement may be submitted one of two ways:


  • Standard 8 x 11 sheet of paper
  • One slide presentation (Google Slides, PowerPoint, Canva, etc.)


For paper submissions:


  1. Teachers, please print the following information on a 3×5 index card attached with tape to the back of paper submissions. If student information is incomplete or illegible, it will not be judged.
  2. Grade Level
  3. Student’s First and Last Name
  4. School Name
  5. Sponsoring Teacher’s Name
  6. Sponsoring Teacher’s Email
  7. Sponsoring Teacher’s Phone Number
  8. School Phone Number
  9. Mail all paper entries to


Angie Battle
P.O. Box 1619
Atlanta, GA 30301-1619


For digital submissions:

a. Attach the digital slide to an email addressed to jbattle15@gsu.edu.

b. Write “#EconEdMonth Ad Contest” in the subject line.

c. Include the same information from item 7a above in the body of the email.


All submissions are due by Wednesday, October 13, 2021.

Please contact Angie Battle at jbattle15@gsu.edu if you have any questions.

ECON Express for Grades 9-12

Georgia Public Broadcasting and the Georgia Council on Economic Education have launched Econ Express, a game-changing, free online resource that will help teachers and students learn, practice and assess basic economic concepts in a creative and engaging way.


Covering 51 concepts, Econ Express serves as a general overview of the content typically taught in a high school “Intro to Economics” course, from the basics of scarcity and productive resources to more intricate topics like comparative advantage and monetary policy.


“As Georgia’s leading provider of digital learning resources, we are excited to add Econ Express to our library of content,” said GPB Director of Education Laura Evans. “Having great partners like Georgia Council for Economic Education allows us to offer additional high-quality, standards-aligned resources to support both remote and in-person instructional needs.”


Econ Express provides an overview to economics that is accessible and easy to use. The “Learn” section provides a quick description of each concept at three different levels: beginner, intermediate and advanced. Following that is a “Practice” section with interactive activities that give teachers and students the opportunity to apply what they just learned. Finally, the “Assess” section challenges the learner with five multiple choice assessment questions.


“There are sites that have pieces of this, but there is no online source that has all of these features in one easy to use package,” noted Dr. Chris Cannon, Associate Director of the Georgia Council on Economic Education. He added, “I wish I had had access to this resource when I was in the classroom!”


Econ Express was made possible by generous support from the Truist Foundation, the Callaway Foundation, and the UPS Foundation.


To access Econ Express, go to gpb.org/econ-express.


Check out the SAMPLE Video below.

Econ Express Concept 1: Scarcity

VFW Youth Scholarships

The VFW is dedicated to promoting patriotism and investing in our future generation. If you know of a democracy-loving high school student interested in a $30,000 college scholarship or a patriotic middle school student interested in winning $5,000, these scholarships may be for your students.


Voice of Democracy:

Established in 1947, our Voice of Democracy audio-essay program provides high school students with the unique opportunity to express themselves in regards to a democratic and patriotic-themed recorded essay. Each year, nearly 64,500 9-12 grade students from across the country enter to win their share of more than $2 million in educational scholarships and incentives awarded through the program.


The national first place winner receives a $30,000 scholarship paid directly to the recipient’s American university, college or vocational/technical school. A complete list of other national scholarships range from $1,000-$16,000, and the first place winner from each VFW Department (state) wins a minimum scholarship of $1,000. Want to apply? Read the rules and eligibility requirements, and download and complete the 2021-2022 Voice of Democracy entry form as all student entries must be submitted to a sponsoring local VFW Post by midnight, Oct. 31. The 21-22 theme is: America- Where Do We Go From Here?


Patriot's Pen:

Each year more than 165,400 students in grades 6-8 enter the VFW’s Patriot’s Pen youth essay contest for a chance to win their share of more than $1.4 million in state and national awards. Each first place state winner receives a minimum of $500 at the national level, and the national first place winner wins $5,000!


The essay contest encourages young minds to examine America’s history, along with their own experiences in modern American society, by drafting a 300- to 400-word essay, expressing their views based on a patriotic theme chosen by the VFW Commander-in-Chief. Want to apply? Read the rules and eligibility requirements, and download and complete the 2021-2022 Patriot's Pen entry form as all student entries must be submitted to a sponsoring local VFW Post by midnight, Oct. 31. The 21-22 theme is: How Can I be a Good American?

VFW Teacher of the Year

Without our nation’s veterans, America wouldn't be the great nation it is today. Our youth deserve to learn about our rich history, traditions and the role of our veterans in creating and shaping America.

Each year, the Veterans of Foreign Wars selects elementary, middle, and high school teachers to participate in the Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher program.

Please review the new rules and eligibility requirements and download the 2021 entry form to nominate a teacher you know. Teacher nomination entries must be received at a local participating VFW Post by the Oct. 31 deadline.

Daughters of the American Revolution- American History Essay Contest

This contest was established to encourage young people to think creatively about our nation’s great history and learn about history in a new light. Each academic year, a unique essay topic is chosen and guidelines are made available.


  • The contest is open to all students in grades 5-8.
  • Essays are judged for historical accuracy, adherence to topic, organization of materials, interest, originality, spelling, grammar, punctuation and neatness.
  • Additional rules and guidelines can be found by contacting your local DAR chapter.


A winner will be selected from each of the four grades to advance to the state level. The state winner from each grade will advance to the divisional level. The divisional winners will advance to the national level where the winners are announced. All National winners will receive a certificate, medal and a monetary reward.


Topic: 2021-2022: Title: "The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier"

November 11, 2021, marks the 100th anniversary of the dedication of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Imagine that you had a brother who lost his life on the battlefields of France during World War I. You and your family attended the November 11, 1921, dedication of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Washington, D.C. Describe what this meant to you and your family. Why is it important to remember those who gave their lives to serve our nation?

Length: There is no set length.

Submissions: Essays may be submitted electronically. Essays may also be handwritten.

Deadline: All essays must be submitted no later than December 31, 2021.


For additional contest information or guidelines, please contact your local DAR chapter or visit DAR.org.


DAR Chapter: General Daniel Newnan Chapter

Contact Name: Tammy D. Hyder

Phone: 404-219-9120

Email: tammyhyder@gmail.com

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

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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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