My name is Jessica Torres and I serve as the ESC Region 12 Social Studies content specialist as well as the Continuous Improvement Liaison. 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.

There was a great question in the James Clear 3-2-1 Newsletter that I've mentioned before (subscribe if you haven't already!)...anyway, this question really got me wondering what each of you would eliminate.

Write down all the projects you are working on right now. What is the one thing that, if you had the courage to eliminate it entirely, would make all the others easier?

Be sure to check out the resources for Women's History Month, honored in March, in the resources at the bottom of the newsletter. 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).

How could this math idea be used within our social studies classrooms? You post the answer and the students are asked to come up with what the question could be.

An activity such as this would serve as a great bell ringer or exit ticket! It activates student thinking and prior knowledge. A great way to push thinking and put the cognitive lift on our students. Would love to see your ideas for how you use this in your classroom. Post a pic with the hashtag #r12socstud.

Credit to Kristie Orlando-Bangali for sharing. @OrlandoKristie

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) will launch a new digital-learning initiative beginning Monday, Feb. 14. The educational website will provide a variety of learning activities designed to share African American history using the museum’s collection. The “North Star: A Digital Journey of African American History” website is designed for the discovery and creative use of Smithsonian’s digital collections and tools by educators and students in grades six through 12.

This lesson includes a 10-minute video that delves into how the nature of Supreme Court nominations have changed since the defeat of Robert Bork. As President Biden makes his first Supreme Court nomination, he is hoping for bipartisan support for nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson. Recent history of Supreme Court nominations have yielded bitter battles and guarded answers from nominees on their views of important legal issues. **Lesson Plan provided, including essential questions**

https://www.retroreport.org/education/video/why-supreme-court-confirmations-have-become-so-bitter-mini-lesson/

The Gilder Lehrman Institute's new History U Program lets high schools students explore American history with top scholars, via modified versions of our MA in American History courses.

The first three History U courses:

• American Immigration History: People, Places in Policy led by Madeline Hsu (University of Texas at Austin)

• Black Women's History led by Kellie Carter Jackson (Wellesley College)

• Foundations of American Government led by Denver Brunsman (George Washington University)

Each History U course includes

• Video lectures by an acclaimed historian

• Primary sources and in-depth readings

• Short quizzes to review your knowledge

• A certificate of completion for the course

In addition, taking a History U course can enhance college applications, supplement classroom learning, and allow students to explore their own love of history!

Applications are open for the Notable Social Studies Trade Book Committee!! I ❤️ serving on this committee and would highly recommend for social studies literacy lovers.

NCSS is seeking members to serve on our Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People Book Committee. The book committee consists of 15 members who review, evaluate, and select social studies trade books for our annual bibliography "Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People."

The "Notables" contain 100-200 titles selected from as many as 800 books submitted by publishers each year. The list is published annually in the May/June issue of Social Education.

Click here for additional requirements or to apply!

June 20 - 24 at Baylor University

The Jack Miller Center invites you to a professional development program the week of June 20-24 at Baylor University!

The Zavala Summer Civics Institute is an opportunity to study fundamental texts in the American political tradition with Baylor University professors. The Institute is designed to help increase your familiarity with key primary sources for use in your classroom. The more exposure students have to primary sources, the richer and fuller their knowledge of America's history and political system will be.

Sessions will explore the ratification debates, separation of powers, and federalism as well as controversial issues such as race and the Constitution and the expansion of rights.

The institute is entirely cost-free for teachers. All materials are included and breakfast and lunch will be provided daily. All participants will receive a certificate of completion and a $400 stipend.

See a tentative agenda for the program here.

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 ->> https://sschat.org/archives/

Assist districts in increasing student achievement through the provision of professional development and technical assistance in the areas of curriculum, instruction, and assessment, data analysis, and instructional strategies in social studies. Will support the quality implementation of Highly Qualified Instructional Materials (HQIM) in alignment to research-based instructional strategies in social studies and TEKS Resource System.

Click here for full Job Description: K-12 Social Studies Specialist

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 Issue 12

Volume 4 (2021-2022) Issue 1 Issue 2 Issue 3 Issue 4 Issue 5 Issue 6 Issue 7

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