JCPS Social Studies Newsletter

Issue 21 - September 2020

Social Studies Colleagues,

As we settle into the new year and new structures, we must remember that the structures of our democracy, such as the upcoming election, are well worth our time and attention. As the country and community prepare for Election 2020, we have curated the steps and resources necessary for registering to vote and exercising the right and opportunity to vote. Use this site to help students and fellow staff to register and to know how to vote this year. Use this site to help prepare future voters by understanding the voting processes. Voting is one of the easiest ways for citizens to engage in taking action in their democracy.

With the launch of our new JCPS Social Studies website, we are better able to provide resources and tools for growing the implemnetation of Social Studies K-12 in JCPS. We encourage you to take some time to explore the offerings on the site, and come back often as we will be adding in new pieces on a regular basis.

As always, Ryan, Rebecca, and Vincent are here to help in these interesting and exciting times. Please contact us with any needs you might have.

What's new on the JCPS Social Studies Website?

Election 2020 - Constiution Day Celebration

It is our civic duty to help everyone reigster to vote. Click on the red banner on the homepage and featured in the navigation bar at the top. Additional resources are linked. Be sure to check out whatisavoteworth.org.

Updates

Community Connections & Elections

- League of Women Voters

The Leage of Women Voters Louisville is available to help support efforts of educating students about registering to vote. They have some great ideas around voting and elections and are looking for school partners. Contact Felicia Ray, Chair of the High School Voter Services Committee at siamadras@gmail.com for more information.

-National Council for Jewish Women Louisville

The NCJWLOU has created a Promote the Vote flyer that can be used to inform others on how to vote.

- Voter Girl Video Contest

The National Collaborative for Women's History Sites is sponsoring a Voter Girl Video Contest for girls 13 - 17 years of age. The winner will have their video used as a 30 second PSA to encourage people to vote. If interested, see the #Votergirlvideo Flyer.

Update about Field Test & Civics Exam Requirement

Field Test for the new KAS for Social Standards was scheduled for early September. Due to the nature of varied districts choosing online learning for the beginning of the year, KDE has since postponed to a later date to be determined so that they can ensure a proper sampling of student populations. We are awaiting more information about sample items.

The Civics exam will be administered virtually. Your BAC will be receiving more information about this from the JCPS District Assessment Coordinator for implementation.

NTI 2.0 Supports & Strategic Planning

You can check out the resources and supports provided my JCPS by going to the JCPS NTI 2.0 Toolkit.

You can also take a look at our curated list of distance learning resources.

As we all prepare for the digital classroom, take a look at our Strategic Planning Tool and Protocols, Tasks, and Tools to help with planning your students' experience.

DBQ Online Resources

JCPS has partnered with The Document Based Question Project to bring DBQ Online to our Social Studies classrooms. This online platform can be accessed via Clever for teachers and students. You can assign students and classes to provide students with a process for investigating documents and structuring claims and arguments. Check out this tutorial information for getting started using DBQ with your students. Please contact us if you or your department are interested in learning more about using DBQ for your virtual or brick and mortar classroom experiences.

JCPS Social Studies Professional Development Calendar

For a full listing of PD offerings, please go to JCPSSocialStudies.com, Upcoming PD.

Digital PD feature on JCPSSocialStudies.com

- Video series is an introduction to inquiry. Designed for new teachers and teachers that need a refresher

DBQ Project

- Learn how to modify and use the DBQ Project online platform. This can be accessed through Clever.

September 10th, 4-6 pm PD Central Code 20-21112494

Please see the pre-info to prepare @ https://www.smore.com/8da9r

- JCPS will be forming a cohort of teachers who are interested in learning more about using DBQ structures to begin implementing inquiry. This cohort will feature synchronous and asychronous learning for teachers to dig into the elements of DBQ & inquiry. More information to come at JCPSSocialStudies.com on the Upcoming PD page.

10.24.20 - Kentucky Council for the Social Studies Annual Conference - Virtual

- JCPS will pay for 60 teachers' registration fee and will be eligible for up to 6 hours PD credit.

- Scholarship request form closes Sept. 24th @ 3:00 pm

- Click here to apply for registration scholarhip

12.4-6.20 - 100th National Council for Social Studies Annual Conference - Virtual

- NCSS Annual Conference Website

- Due to Covid, this will be a virtual conference

-JCPS Social Studies will have more information on how to support teachers attending the conferences soon