Secondary Social Studies Newsletter
Feb. 2025

Welcome
Hello, I am Teaven Barnum the District Instructional Specialist for Secondary Social Studies. I'm excited to help you in any way that you need. You can reach me at teaven.barnum@killeenisd.org, text at 254-446-2873 or call my desk phone at 254-336-0253.
CONTENT
Public Comment Period for Updated Social Studies Instructional Materials Is Open
The Substitutions and Content Updates web page has been updated with a request from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, McGraw-Hill, Savvas, and Studies Weekly to update content in their adopted social studies materials.
The public is invited to review and comment on the proposed content changes. Please submit an Instructional Materials Review and Approval (IMRA) help desk ticket if you need assistance.
Apply for Assessment Educator Committees
Each year the Texas Education Agency (TEA) invites Texas educators to provide feedback on the development of state assessments (STAAR, STAAR Alternate 2, and TELPAS) through educator committees across all assessed grades and content areas. Developing high-quality, aligned questions relies on the expertise and experience of Texas educators. Participants collaborate with other educators from across the state to review, edit, and approve each potential question for state assessments. TEA is specifically looking for educators from your region!
The commitment is generally two to three days in Austin with all travel, accommodations, and substitute coverage paid for by TEA. All participants will earn continuing professional education credits. If you are interested or know other educators who would like to participate in a committee, fill out the application form here: https://www.texasassessment.gov/educator-committees.html.
Black History Month
11th Grade Upcoming High Frequency TEKS - 3rd & 4th Nine Weeks
Here is an example of the Lowman Frequency chart. A good point of practice is to remember to emphasize standards that have been tested 5 or more times in the past. Click the link below to see the whole frequency chart with highlighted standards for the upcoming units.
8th Grade Upcoming High Frequency TEKS - 3rd & 4th Nine Weeks
Here is an example of the Lowman Frequency chart. A good point of practice is to remember to emphasize standards that have been tested 4 or more times in the past. Click the link below to see the whole frequency chart with highlighted standards for the upcoming units.
CONSISTENCY
After School Specials
Due to Feb. 17th no longer being a professional development day I am providing some after school PD.
Non-STAAR Secondary Social Studies: Feb. 27th 5pm-6:30pm, JPLC Conference Room C. We will go over instructional strategies. Click button below to sign up in Strive.
8th & 11th Grade Social Studies STAAR Prep.: Feb. 26th 5pm-6:30pm, JPLC Conference Room D. During part of this session you will share out one STAAR review instructional strategy. I am providing a link here (Click) to a Microsoft excel sheet. You will need to submit the instructional strategy you are brining so that we do not duplicate. Click button below to sign up in Strive.
STAAR Resources
8th and 11th grade teachers please make sure to use the resources found in the Secondary Curriculum & Instruction group. If your campus has purchased Lowman STAAR Blitz please utilize that resource for your use. 8th grade teachers you also have all the STAAR resources in socialstudiessuccess.com available to you.
8th grade teachers: Your Deans, CISs and CICs have been given access to a course on schoology that you can use for STAAR Review. They should be able to duplicate the course and make you an admin so that you can make the course your own. Please feel free to add or subtract what you see is necessary for your students. If you have a resource that you feel all could benefit from please email me so that I can add it in the future.
STAAR Study Sheets
Not sure what to cover in your review time? Make use of these study sheets that are developed on high frequency standards.
COACHING
Professional Development
Don't make me repeat myself. -History
First person to e-mail me with the correct answer gets a prize.
Previous KISD Secondary Social Studies Newsletters
(October 2022 Newsletter) https://www.smore.com/5xkvg
(November 2022 Newsletter) https://www.smore.com/akyd6
(February 2023 Newsletter) https://www.smore.com/28pcj
(March 2023 Newsletter) https://www.smore.com/yge4w
(April 2023 Newsletter) https://www.smore.com/rfs32
(May 2023 Newsletter) https://www.smore.com/2j9zw
(August 2023 Newsletter) https://www.smore.com/cwy23
(September 2023 Newsletter) https://www.smore.com/jybau
(October 2023 Newsletter) https://www.smore.com/z3n5f
(November 2023 Newsletter) https://www.smore.com/ga5bqd
(January 2024 Newsletter) https://www.smore.com/69dk7
(February 2024 Newsletter) https://www.smore.com/n/prk0cy
(April 2024 Newsletter) https://www.smore.com/n/qrgks
(May 2024 Newsletter) https://secure.smore.com/n/1mek5
(September 2024 Newsletter) https://secure.smore.com/n/kvqj8
(October 2024 Newsletter) https://secure.smore.com/n/ngy06
(Nov./Dec. 2024 Newsletter) https://secure.smore.com/n/acrsn
(January 2025 Newsletter) https://secure.smore.com/n/ua9nj6













