My name is Jessica Torres and I serve as the ESC Region 12 Social Studies content specialist. The purpose of the newsletter is to provide resources specific to social studies content, general instructional tools, resources, updates, and professional development opportunities that are beneficial to all.

Yikes! I'm running a bit late with this month's newsletter, but nevertheless, here it comes! I am so excited to see many of you in summer sessions and look forward to working with you in the new school year. As always, if you ever need assistance or have a question, please do not hesitate to contact me via email (jtorres@esc12.net) or social media (@owl_b_torresedu).

TEA Governmental Relations Director Hunter Thompson and other TEA staff briefed the SBOE about several legislative components including HB3979 (which would require modifications to the Social Studies TEKS) and has been referenced in the media as banning the teaching of critical race theory (CRT) in social studies courses.

The board was told that although the bill's effective date is Sept. 1, 2021, the bill's provisions are to be implemented for the 2022-23 school year. The bill would require the SBOE to adopt the implementing Social Studies TEKS by Dec. 31, 2022.

Staff told the board that the HB3979 changes required to the Social Studies TEKS, and by other curriculum bills that passed, could be accomplished during the board's already adopted calendar for social studies revisions.

Source: Texas Education News Volume 38 Issue 25

It means, in simple terms, keep teaching the standards (TEKS) as they are currently written. Also, remain aware and involved in the social studies revisions process beginning this fall. I will provide updates as I receive them, specifically any calendar revisions.

Have you ever tried stations in your classroom before? Stations are centers (or areas) set up in the classroom where each task has a specific goal that’s targeted. These centers can be hands-on activities, intervention practices, enrichment tasks, or tech-related applications revolving around a certain skill.

Just because students hit middle-school-age doesn’t necessarily mean we need to take away procedures and activities they’re familiar with. Stations in middle school hold the same purpose as they do in elementary: reinforce a standard or skill, provide differentiated opportunities for learning, and keep students engaged. When we offer differentiated learning methods in our classrooms, we are providing multiple opportunities for our students to be successful. When we think about trying stations in middle school we tend to think of all the fires we will have to put out, but did you know that you can successfully implement stations in the middle school classroom? Here’s how...

https://ditchthattextbook.com/learning-stations-in-middle-school/

Historical Inquiry for Elementary Classrooms - History's Mysteries is sponsored in part by the Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources Eastern Region Program, coordinated by Waynesburg University

https://sites.google.com/view/historys-mysteries/about-hm/blog-historys-mysteries

Data privacy and students’ previous experience with particular tools can help teachers determine the best fit.

https://www.edutopia.org/article/how-zero-right-technology-tools

Social studies professional development opportunities offered through the ESC are free of charge to Enhanced Co-op members. Not sure if you have enhanced co-op...please feel free to reach out to me!

(free unless noted otherwise)

Reading Like a Historian with Younger Students
Stanford History Education Group
July 26-28, 10:00 am-12:15 pm PST
Fee: $375 | Information & registration

Foundations: Information Literacy and Primary Sources
Library of Congress Professional Learning and Outreach Initiatives
July 27, 2:00-3:00 pm EST | Information & registration

August

Library of Congress Online Open House
Experts from across the Library

August 4, 2:00-3:00 pm EST | Information | Registration

Civic Online Reasoning: Sorting Fact from Fiction on the Internet
Stanford History Education Group
August 9-11, 10:00 am-12:15 pm PST
Fee: $375 | Information & registration

Introduction to Elementary Inquiry Using History’s Mysteries Webinar
In conjunction with Emerging America
August 11, 4:00-5:30 pm EST
Free: $50

Introduction to Reading Like a Historian Curriculum and Beyond the Bubble Assessments
Stanford History Education Group
August 16-18, 10:00 am-12:15 pm PST
Fee: $375 | Information & registration

Come Fly Away with Us: Exploring the Library of Congress Aeronautics Collections
Science Reference Section
August 19 from 2:00-3:00 pm EST | Information | Registration

I am so excited to be part of the #sschat moderator team! I would love to have you join us for a great conversation via Twitter each Monday evening. Need help getting started with Twitter chats, reach out to me and I'll walk you through the steps. All of the Twitter chats are archived for future reference using Wakelet.

Check them out here:

Volume 1 (2018-2019) Issue 1 Issue 2 Issue 3 Issue 4 Issue 5 Issue 6 Issue 7 Issue 8 Issue 9 Issue 10

Volume 2 (2019-2020) Issue 1 Issue 2 Issue 3 Issue 4 Issue 5 Issue 6 Issue 7 Issue 8 Issue 9 Issue 10 Issue 11 Issue 12 Issue 13

Volume 3 (2020-2021) Issue 1 Issue 2 Issue 3 Issue 4 Issue 5 Issue 6 Issue 7 Issue 8 Issue 9 Issue 10 Issue 11

Special Editions: Celebrate Black History - Celebrate Women's History - 9/11 Remembered - Holocaust Remembrance Week - Memorial Day - Constitution Day - Juneteenth

Instructional Leadership/Continuous Improvement Liaison

Social Studies Content Specialist

ESC Region 12

o: 254-297-1284

Email: jtorres@esc12.net
Website: https://www.esc12.net/page/ge_socialstudies
Location: ESC Region 12, West Loop 340, Waco, TX, USA
Phone: 254-366-3856
Twitter: @owl_b_torresedu