SAISD Social Studies Newsletter

The State Board of Education has been meeting this week regarding the Social Studies TEKS Streamlining recommendations from the work groups.

Here are some recent articles about the SBOE's work this week:

Texas Board Votes to Keep Hillary Clinton, Moses in the Social Studies Curriculum from The Dallas Morning News

Texas Education Board Votes to Reinsert Hillary Clinton, Helen Keller into Curriculum from The Texas Tribune

Texas Education Board Set to Approve Curriculum Some Say is Historically Inaccurate from The Texas Tribune

The Board is scheduled to vote on Friday on a final version of the Streamlined TEKS. We will post updates here as they are available.

The SAISD Social Studies Department now has a twitter account. Please follow us @SaisdSocial for updates from the department! We are starting to use the account to share all of the great things that are happening with Social Studies in SAISD.

Social Studies Online Professional Development Google Classroom:

Reading Non-Fiction Strategies

Google Classroom Code: y89ij5

7th Grade Texas History Professional Learning and Planning Pull Out

Tuesday, November 27, 8:00 AM-4:30 PM, Cooper Learning Center Cafeteria. Register.

The Social Studies Department will pay for substitutes, but teachers must receive permission from their principal in order to attend.

8th Grade US History Professional Learning and Planning Pull Out

Tuesday, December 4, 8:00 AM-4:30 PM, Cooper Learning Center Cafeteria. Register.

The Social Studies Department will pay for substitutes, but teachers must receive permission from their principal in order to attend.

High School World History and US History Professional Learning and Planning Pull Out

Tuesday, December 11, 8:00 AM-4:30 PM, Cooper Learning Center Cafeteria. Register.

The Social Studies Department will pay for substitutes, but teachers must receive permission from their principal in order to attend.

DBQ Project Pull Out Training for 4th Grade Teachers

Tuesday, January 15,, 8:00 AM-4:30 PM, Burnet Learning Center Room 33. Register.

This session will focus on incorporating document based questions into 4th grade Texas History instruction. Participants will learn about the DBQ process and how it can be used to improve student analysis, reading, and writing skills. Teachers will receive a DBQ project binder for use with their 4th grade team. We ask that only one fourth grade teacher per elementary campus or academy attend.

The Social Studies Department will pay for substitutes, but teachers must receive permission from their principal in order to attend.

DBQ Project Pull Out Training for Secondary Teachers

Wednesday, January 16, 8:00 AM-4:30 PM, Burnet Learning Center Room 32. Register.

This session will prepare secondary teachers to use document based questions in their Social Studies instruction. Teachers will learn about the DBQ process and how it can be used to improve student literacy and social studies processing skills. This professional learning is highly recommended for teachers who have not been previously trained on implementing DBQ's.

The Social Studies Department will pay for substitutes, but teachers must receive permission from their principal in order to attend.

Registration for the SAISD History Fair on Saturday, December 15 is open. Please click here to register student projects.

The deadline to register is Friday, November 16.

All websites, papers, and documentaries are due on Friday, November 30.

Purpose: The Microlab is a protocol for addressing a specific set of questions in a structured format with small groups, using active listening skills.

1. Construct three questions that can provide the focus for the conversation. They could be in reference to a text or to review recent content.
2. Divide the students into groups of three.
3. Explain that each student will one minute (or another amount of time, you may want to start with shorter increments) to answer each question. While one person is speaking, the other two group members will be actively listening, but will not respond.
4. Students should number off #1, #2, and #3 in their triad. Explain that each number in the triad will start the responses to the corresponding question number.
5. Conduct the three rounds. Student #1 has one minute to respond to question number one while, students #2 and #3 listen. When the minute is up, the next student responds to the question.
6. Continue through three rounds. Each student has the opportunity to answer each question for one minute.
7. Have a whole group discussion in response to the questions: What significant ideas and insights were discussed?
8. Debrief the protocol with the students: How did it go? What worked well and what was difficult?

SAISD now has access to News Currents Online and Read to Know, two online platforms that support integrating current issues in the classroom. See the flyer attached below on how to access these resources.

We hope you have a restful and relaxing break with family and friends!

Patrick Pyle, Director

ppyle1@saisd.net

Katheryn Cline, Coordinator

kcline1@saisd.net

Website: https://livesaisd.sharepoint.com/sites/social_studies/SitePages/Social-Studies-Department.aspx
Location: 406 Barrera Street, San Antonio, TX, USA
Phone: 210-554-2530
Twitter: @SaisdSocial