The Time Traveler
Prosper ISD Secondary Social Studies Newsletter
Experience Prosper ISD: Spotlight on AP Human Geography
Incoming 7th and 8th grade parents got a firsthand look at what AP courses are like in Prosper ISD. Through a parent-focused AP Human Geography lesson, Shelly Patterson (PHS), Elise Bruns (RHHS), and Morgan Jones (WGHS) showcased an engaging lesson driven by inquiry and critical thinking. They also highlighted the exciting opportunities available in advanced academics across the district. Last Wednesday was the kickoff event. After the mini-lesson, a short Q&A discussion panel made up of former and current students allowed parents to learn more about the program.
Ms. Bruns, Mrs. Patterson and Ms. Jones - Thank you again for providing an amazing night for our Prosper parents.
The next Experience Prosper events are on November 7th and December 3rd.
Prosper High School
Rock Hill High School
Walnut Grove High School
Catch up with Hutch
Coaches' Corner
Can't believe it's already been nine weeks! This has been such a great start to the school year. All 17 new-to-Prosper ISD HS teachers have been absolutely rocking it! I've loved visiting your classrooms and seeing Dr. Ferguson's observational points in action, not to mention the strategies from our playbook. This first 9 week’s collaborative meetings have been amazing and are always centered on students.
As we enter the next nine weeks, please don't hesitate to reach out if you'd like to meet one-on-one to unpack upcoming units, brainstorm lessons, or discuss potential interventions or extensions. I hope you have a wonderful extended weekend
Social Studies Instructional Playbook updates!
This month we added the following strategies:
Signpost Annotation Strategy: This instructional strategy is an annotation routine for students to use when reading nonfiction texts to deepen student understanding of the text. Click here for quick access.
We want to thank all of you for taking the time to fill out the Playbook Survey that Andrea sent out earlier this month. We're making adjustments to the playbook to make it easier and quicker to access. We've added additional tabs at the bottom to make it easier to find strategies based on observation points.
If you haven't already added your feedback and would like to do so, please click here. Ellie, Jessie, and I are always listening and adjusting to make the playbook work best for you.
Strategies in Action!
“The aim is to get the students actively involved in seeking evidence: their role is not simply to do tasks as decided by teachers, but to actively manage and understand their learning gains. This includes evaluating their own progress, being more responsible for their learning, and being involved with peers in learning together about gains in learning.” John Hattie
Teams across the district are using the Social Studies Playbook to get students engaged in the content and talking with their peers. Click on the buttons below to see strategies in action!
Highlighting the PLC Process: Question 1
10th Grade World History- Prosper High School
RHHS Economics
The RHHS Economics Team's proactive approach to Tier 1 Planning ensures that all students have the opportunity to succeed. By discussing both last year data and current students strengths and areas of growth, the team is able to brainstorm targeted interventions and enrichment options to ensure that all students are supported in their learning.
WGHS US History
The Walnut Grove US History Team has been doing an exceptional job addressing PLC Question 1, particularly in the area of Tier 1 Planning Considerations. Their biggest strength lies in their pacing. By building flexibility into their pacing, they are able to accommodate challenges and provide opportunities for differentiation based on their students' individual needs.
6th Grade World Cultures - Rushing Middle School
The 6th Grade World Cultures team at Rushing Middle School is consistently planning Tier 1 instruction using their essential standards as a grounding point. Each time they begin a new unit, they analyze all of the essential standards, and determine exactly what these mean for student learning. After they gain collective clarity, they plan their learning experiences to ensure that students have multiple methods of exploring each essential standard.
8th Grade U.S. History - Rogers Middle School
This team uses a strategy called Boulders, Rocks, and Butterflies to unwrap unit standards. This allows the team to analyze standards together, assess the most important standards students need to know from the unit (in addition to essentials), and use this information to effectively plan a unit. This strategy has clearly shown up in their data, and students are thriving in their classrooms as a result of an intentional focus on Question 1 of the PLC Process.
Historical Thinking Task Force
Causation Skill
Each month we will feature one skill from our Historical Thinking Task Force. This month, we are focusing on the skill of causation.
The skill of causation goes beyond simple cause and effect, but instead focuses on the THREE parts of a causal relationship: the cause, the how, and the effect.
To learn more about the causation skill, click on the graphic organizer below. If you would like to learn more about Historical Thinking, you can listen to the "Thinking Historically with Dr. Catherine O'Donnell" podcast available on our Podcast and Webinars document.
Upcoming Professional Learning Opportunities
Region 10 Professional Learning
Teaching with DBQs Series:
- 10/22 - Teaching with DBQs 102: Overcoming the Challenges by Scaffolding the Inquiry Process
- 1/30 - Teaching with DBQs 103: Leveraging the Inquiry Process to Meet the Needs of All Students
- 3/27 - Teaching with DBQs 104: Evaluating DBQs and Using Data to Drive Inquiry Instruction
Teaching American History Workshops:
- 10/16 - America in World War 2: Strategies and Plans (at National Aviation Education Center)
- 1/31 - Every 4 years: Elections That Changed American History (at Region 10 ESC)
In order for hours to count towards Exchange Hour Credit, they must occur outside of school hours.
Humanities Texas Professional Learning Opportunities
We are pleased to announce our fall programming for secondary-level social studies and English language arts teachers!
- Teachers can apply to attend on the Humanities Texas website.
- The TEKS-aligned programs are FREE to teachers and their schools.
- All participants will receive CPE credit and a wealth of curricular materials.
- Travel reimbursements and substitute reimbursements are available.
World Affairs Council Professional Learning Opportunities
Teacher Workshop: World Religions – Judaism and Jainism
Teacher Workshop: World Religions – Judaism and Jainism
World Religions – Judaism and Jainism
Date: November 11th
Time: 11:30 am - 3:30 pm
The Texas State Board of Education established the social studies TEKS in 2010 providing teachers with materials for their lessons with specifications for what they are able to teach. Coverage of world religions falls in three courses: middle school social studies TEKS, high school world geography TEKS, and high school world history TEKS. In this workshop, teachers will learn more about the TEKS related to world religions (Jainism and Judaism).
3 hours of professional development credit will be awarded upon completion.
Free Resources for your classroom
Request your FREE 2024 Travel Guides and Travel Maps. We are making copies of these publications available to you in case you have a use for them in your curriculum.
The Travel Guides are orders of 1 mean 1 box (20 copies). The Travel Maps are orders of 1 = 1 box (200 copies). Smaller quantities can be ordered by sending an e-mail to TRV-LIT@txdot.gov.
Please provide a physical address. We cannot deliver to PO boxes.
Click below to order now! Quantities are while supplies last.
If you want additional information regarding travel guides and maps for editors, click sign up to receive future notices.
America's Field Trip Contest
In 2026, the United States will mark our Semiquincentennial: the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Today’s young people are the leaders, innovators, and thinkers who will shape the next 250 years — and it’s important their voices are heard as we commemorate this historic milestone.
America’s Field Trip is a contest that invites students across the country in grades 3–12 to be part of America’s 250th anniversary by sharing their perspectives on what America means to them — with the opportunity to earn an unforgettable field trip experience at some of the nation’s most iconic historic and cultural landmarks.
Students are asked to submit writing or original artwork in response to the contest’s prompt: “What does America mean to you?”
Click here to learn more
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