I sincerely hope that the new school year is moving along smoothly so far for each of you. As always, the world of Social Studies is ever changing. As I started working on this newsletter, I searched for something inspirational to share only to have today ONCE AGAIN be a #HistoryintheMaking kind of day.

Today marks the end of a unique era in history with the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. Her reign encompassed 70 years of history but more than that saw huge sweeping changes in our world. She began her reign as a young woman in a time of turmoil both in Europe and across the world. Today we have innovations and inventions that were the stuff of science fiction when she first became queen. And yet, as history often teaches us - "the more things change, the more they stay the same". I see this as a reminder of why our content area is so profoundly important. There is always change (new ideas, innovations, struggles and triumphs) and there are always constants (traditions, legacies, etc.). It is through the study of Social Studies that we can provide meaning and understanding to these changes and constants.

Best wishes for a successful year. As always, please reach out if you have questions or have concerns or needs.

Yours,

Kelly Bellar

The State Board of Education met during the week of August 29 - September 2 and based on a preliminary vote taken on August 31st and a final vote taken on September 2nd is halting the revision of the TEKS until the 2025-2026 school year. At this point there will not be any changes to the existing Social Studies TEKS until then.

You can view the SBOE livestream recordings of all SBOE meetings HERE.

• STAAR Grade 8 Social Studies Blueprint
• 2023 US History Blueprint

There is now a NEW FULL LENGTH PRACTICE TEST available on the STAAR Redesign Website.

The State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR®) test is being redesigned to make the test more tightly aligned to the classroom experience. House Bill 3906 established a “multiple choice cap,” meaning that no more than 75% of points on a STAAR test can be based on multiple choice questions. Preliminary information has been released about the item types. I will provide updated information as we receive it. I would highly suggest bookmarking the STAAR Redesign website page >> https://tea.texas.gov/student-assessment/assessment-initiatives/hb-3906/staar-redesign

Each month during the first semester, this newsletter will highlight two of the new STAAR Item Types and possibilities within the classroom. If you have ideas or examples of ways that you are embedding these in your classroom, please do not hesitate to share - we are all better together.

September - Inline Choice & Match Table Grid

October - Hot Text & Short Constructed Response

November - Multipart & MultiSelect

Description: Student selects the correct answer(s) from one or more drop-down menu(s).

Point value: These questions can be worth a maximum of 2 points with the possibility of receiving 1 point for a partially correct response.

Social studies tests that may include these questions: Grade 8 and EOC

Description: Student matches statements or objects to different categories presented in a table grid.

Point value: These questions can be worth a maximum of 2 points with the possibility of receiving 1 point for a partially correct response.

Social studies tests that may include these questions: Grade 8 and EOC

For both inline choice and match table grid, students will often be recalling information. It is critical that we not rely upon memorization for recall, but instead ensure our students have been provided the necessary tools to move the learning beyond surface, into deep learning. Example instructional strategies of deep learning include: graphic organizers, class discussions, close reading, metacognitive strategies, and reciprocal teaching.

A few notes about graphic organizers:

• Consider - transformation, not replication. How can students take the information you have provided and organize it in a way that is meaningful to their learning?
• Graphic organizers should be considered an intermediary step, a planning step - what will we do with the information once organized - write? discuss? create?
• Article: The Great and Powerful Graphic Organizer (Cult of Pedagogy)

Throughout the summer, Regions 9, 10 and 11 conducted a series of one hour PD sessions looking at the New Item Types for STAAR with a focus on discussing how we can build capacity in our students and their critical thinking skills. We will be re-running that series in the fall in September, October and November. In conjunction with that, we have also offered an opportunity to teachers to join in on a virtual PLC to continue the conversation and serve as support for teachers this fall. If you would be interested in participating in that PLC, you can express that interest by completing the Google form linked HERE.

Dates for the PLC will be October 18, December 5, February 23, March 27 and a final follow-up on May 17. All PLC meetings will be from 4:30-5:30 via Zoom.

Texas regional social studies leaders are excited to partner with OER Project to provide a series of professional development sessions for Texas educators this school year! For the past 10 years, OER Project has been providing teachers free social studies curricula, resources, and PD. Their courses are taught by teachers throughout the state. You can learn more about OER Project here.

This free collaborative series of virtual workshops has been designed with Texas teachers in mind and will provide participants with ideas and tools that can be implemented immediately in their classrooms. Each session will explore a particular skill that helps students made sense of social studies content. Registration for the first three sessions is now open! Click on the link here to register or learn more. https://community.oerproject.com/events/tesc-strengthening-the-reading-muscle/c/e/112

Session 1: Strengthening the Reading Muscle - September 14 6:00 - 7:00 PM (ET)

Session 2: Amping up Argumentative Writing – Making Strong Claims - October 19 6:00-7:00 PM (ET)

Session 3: Comparison is the Highest Form of Flattery - November 9, 2023 6:00-7:00 PM (ET)

We look forward to seeing you on September 14!

Join us on Wednesday, Sept. 14 at 7 PM ET for "Teach the Midterms: Your Guide to Lesser-known Elections" with our partners at New Hampshire Public Radio’s Civics 101 podcast. The webinar will feature two new films, podcast episodes and lessons that focus on historical and contemporary midterm elections. If your students have ever wondered why political parties seem to have traded places, or what makes a midterm election different, we have free resources for you.

This fall, Humanities Texas will hold FREE professional development programs online and in person for social studies and ELA teachers in Texas schools.

The programs are free to teachers and their schools. Participants will receive CPE credit and a wealth of curricular materials.

Humanities Texas will reimburse schools for a substitute for any teacher who attends. Humanities Texas will not locate or secure substitutes; this remains the responsibility of the schools or districts. Teachers traveling from out of town to attend the workshop will be reimbursed for approved travel costs up to $300.

Teachers can apply to attend on the Humanities Texas website.

ONLINE PROGRAMS

The Making of Mexican Texas, 1820–1830

Mondays • September 26, October 3, and October 10, 2022 • 5:00–6:30 pm CT

This webinar series will offer teachers insight into the profound changes that remade Texas during the collapse of the Spanish Empire and the creation of the Mexican nation. Team-taught by a historian and two master teachers (Andrew Torget, the University of North Texas; Jay Ferguson, Round Rock ISD; and Michelle Phillips, College Station ISD), the sessions will provide a collection of curriculum materials geared toward bringing innovative perspectives into the classroom.

Teaching Slavery and Reconstruction with the Last Seen Project

Wednesday, September 28, 2022 • 5:00–6:15 pm CT

Humanities Texas will hold a webinar in collaboration with Last Seen: Finding Family After Slavery to introduce teachers to the project and accompanying resources available for classroom use. Last Seen: Finding Family After Slavery aims to identify, digitize, transcribe, and publish ads placed in newspapers across the United States (and beyond) by formerly enslaved people searching for family members and loved ones after emancipation. Ideal for teaching about the lives of the enslaved and the domestic slave trade, Last Seen ads are also excellent sources to teach Reconstruction. The Last Seen Project database has over 4,500 of these ads. The website also has several freely downloadable, ready-made lesson plans and a wide array of select primary sources that teachers can use to create their own sets of primary sources.

Teaching the Speeches of Abraham Lincoln

Wednesday, November 9, 2022 • 5:00–6:15 pm CT

The webinar will offer specific suggestions for teaching Lincoln’s most significant oratorical works—including his first and second inaugural addresses and the Gettysburg Address—focusing on their historical context and the rhetorical strategies deployed. The program will consider these speeches’ role in Lincoln’s legacy and highlight the most important takeaways for middle and high school students.

Teaching the Speeches of Martin Luther King Jr.

Wednesday, November 30, 2022 • 5:00–6:15 pm CT

The webinar will offer specific suggestions for teaching King’s most significant oratorical works—including his "I Have a Dream" speech—focusing on their historical context and the rhetorical strategies deployed. The program will consider these speeches’ role in King’s legacy and highlight the most important takeaways for middle and high school students.

IN-PERSON WORKSHOPS

Teaching the U.S. Constitution

Fort Worth: Tuesday, October 4, 2022 • 7:30 am–4:00pm CT

Dallas: Wednesday, October 5, 2022 • 7:30 am–4:00 pm CT

This in-person workshop will cover the Articles of Confederation, compromises made in adopting the Constitution, the Federalist and Anti-Federalist debates on the Constitution's ratification, and the Bill of Rights. The workshop will feature close interaction with scholars, the examination of primary sources, and the development of effective pedagogical strategies and engaging assignments and activities. Teachers will receive books and other instructional materials.

Civic Leaders in Texas History

San Antonio: Wednesday, October 12, 2022 • 7:30 am–4:00 pm CT

This in-person workshop will focus on the following individuals: José Antonio Navarro, Sam Houston, Alonso Perales, and Barbara Jordan. Presentations will examine the contributions of these important leaders in Texas history, demonstrating how each serves as a unique model of civic responsibility and civic engagement. The workshop will feature close interaction with scholars, the examination of primary sources, and the development of effective pedagogical strategies and engaging assignments and activities. Teachers will receive books and other instructional materials.

Teaching Media Literacy

Austin: Thursday, October 20, 2022 • 7:30 am–4:00 pm CT

This in-person workshop will provide resources and strategies to help middle and high school students become informed citizens and critical consumers of news in multiple media. The workshop will be content-based and teacher-centered, with an emphasis on developing effective pedagogical strategies.

Teachers can apply to attend here:

http://www.humanitiestexas.org/education/teacher-institutes/application.

Please contact us with any questions: institutes@humanitiestexas.org

ATTENTION MOCK TRIAL COACHES:

Do you have a mock trial team? Do you have students that want to join mock trial? Here are some details for this year's Region 10 Mock Trial competition.

Registration

• Online Team Registration is officially open. The link to register is here is here: https://www.dallasbar.org/?pg=events&evAction=showDetail&eid=253560
• Attached is a guide for how to register online. Feel free to share this with your teams.
• Fee is the same at $175 per team. Checks and credit card only. No purchase orders will be accepted.
• The schedule for the year can be found here and is attached.

Competition Dates

• Regionals – Saturday, January 28, 2023
• Semifinals – Saturday, February 4, 2023

Courtroom Artist Contest

• Attached is the info packet for the 2023 Courtroom Artist Contest.
• NEW - We will now allow for artists to compete on their own without a team. It’s up to you of course as to whether you want to allow that or promote it for your region.
• If you’re planning on hosting an artist contest, please let us know so we can updated the website.
• Reminder – participation in the artist contest is not required.

Rule Changes/Clarifications

• We are going back to our original # of team participants – 10 instead of the 12 from last year.

This year’s criminal case is set to be released on October 1st.

As you remember the day and its aftermath in your schools, consider using the following C-SPAN Classroom resources.

• On This Day: September 11, 2001 (11 Clips)
• On This Day: The Department of Homeland Security (4 Clips)
• On This Day: U.S.A. P.A.T.R.I.O.T. Act (6 Clips)
• Clip: 20th Anniversary of September 11, 2001 (5:43)
• Clip: America after September 11, 2001 (6:03)
• Clip: Jon Stewart and the September 11 Victims Compensation Fund (5:22)
• Clip: Homeland Security since 9/11 (4:57)
• Clip: President Obama on 9/11 Terrorist Attacks (4:39)
• Clip: Hate Crime Victim Recounts Personal Experience (6:10)
• Bell Ringer: The Immediate Impact of September 11, 2001 (2 Clips)
• Bell Ringer: 9/11 and Government Surveillance Programs (2 Clips)
• Bell Ringer: The War on Terror (4:14)
• Bell Ringer: The Hijacking of Flight 93 (8:40)
• Lesson: Presidential Communication during Times of Crisis (5 Clips)
• Lesson: Reflections on September 11, 2001 (3 Clips)

Constitution Clips:

• Constitution Clips Website (C-SPAN Classroom)
• Handout: Constitution Clips Analysis (Google Doc)
• Lesson: Constitution Scavenger Hunt (2 Clips)
• Lesson: The Bill of Rights Choice Board (2 Clips & Slides)

Constitution Day and Introduction to the Constitution:

• On This Day: Constitution Day (5 Clips)
• Clip: How to Read the Constitution (2:39)
• Bell Ringer: Direct Democracy, Populism and the Constitution (1:53)
• Lesson: The Purposes of Government (5 Clips)
• Lesson: Enumerated and Implied Powers of Congress (1 Clips)
• Lesson: How Should the Constitution be Interpreted? (6 Clips)
• Lesson: The Bill of Rights in Modern Times (2 Clips)

Creation of the Constitution:

• Clip: Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution (0:42)
• Clip: The Great Compromise (3:01)
• Bell Ringer: Struggle between Individual Liberty & the Common Good (5:21)
• Bell Ringer: Philosophers Edmund Burke and Thomas Paine (2:59)
• Bell Ringer: Adam Smith and the Wealth of Nations (2:28)
• Bell Ringer: We the People (1:50)
• Bell Ringer: The Articles of Confederation: Overview and Power (3:01)
• Lesson: The Federalist Papers (3 Clips)
• Lesson: Predecessors to the Bill of Rights (6 Clips)
• Lesson: The Constitutional Convention (8 Clips)
• Lesson: Choice Board: Our Founding Documents (7 Clips & Slides)
• Lesson: Constitutional Debate Choice Board- George Mason v. James Madison(10 Clips & Slides)

National Council for the Social Studies is pleased to offer a limited number of registration scholarships to educators who have never been able to attend the NCSS Annual Conference in the past for lack of financial support. Teachers from across the United States and its territories are welcome to apply.

The deadline for applying is September 25, 2022.

More info here >> https://www.socialstudies.org/conference/scholarship

Check Them Out Below:

2020-2021:

August 2020, September 2020, October 2020, October 2020 (Part II), November/December 2020, December 2020, January 2021, February 2021, March 2021 (Part I), March 2021 (Part II), April 2021 (Part I), April 2021 (Part II), May 2021 (Part I), May 2021 (Part II), July 2021

2021-2022:

August 2021, September 2021, September 2021 (Part II), October 2021, November 2021, December 2021, January 2022, February 2022, March 2022, April 2022, May 2022 (Part I), May 2022 (Part II)

2022-2023:

August 2022

Email: kelly.bellar@region10.org
Website: https://www.region10.org/programs/social-studies/service-offerings/
Location: Richardson, TX, USA
Phone: 972-348-1432
Twitter: @Region10SS