Streamlined Social Studies TEKS UPDATE
At the November 2018 State Board of Education (SBOE) meeting, the SBOE approved for second reading and final adoption revisions to the social studies Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). The revisions streamline the social studies TEKS for kindergarten–grade 8 and the following high school courses: United States History Studies Since 1877, World History Studies, World Geography Studies, United States Government, and Economics with Emphasis on the Free Enterprise System and Its Benefits.
The TEKS for middle school and high school social studies are scheduled for implementation beginning with the 2019-2020 school year and the TEKS for kindergarten–grade 5 are scheduled for implementation in the 2020-2021 school year.
Be Washington
Step into the boots of George Washington as you confront the very challenges that he faced during the Revolutionary War and as our first president.
Stanford History Education Group
“The Reading Like a Historian curriculum engages students in historical inquiry. Each lesson revolves around a central historical question and features sets of primary documents designed for groups of students with diverse reading skills and abilities.”
Historical Thinking Matters
http://historicalthinkingmatters.org/
A website focused on key topics in U.S. history, that is designed to teach students how to critically read primary sources and how to critique and construct historical narratives
Digital Tool Highlight: YouTube
Finding the "Right" Videos
Searching on YouTube with keywords can be as hit-or-miss as any Google Search. When looking for the "right" videos, there are a few strategies that teachers can use. Substituting different keywords can help bring different videos to the top of the list. Another option is to search within channels. Many organizations have YouTube channels, including notable channels from Khan Academy to the American Museum of Natural History. Here are a few history channels that you can peruse for resources.
- Crash Course - There's a video for just about every topic in US History, World History, Economics, Government, and even Psychology.
- John D. Ruddy - Fun illustrations and great content all done in under 10 minutes
- Hip Hughes History - Lectures designed for broad-based conceptual review for eager middle schoolers and worried high schoolers
- Mr. Bett's Class - Music videos for US and World History that are completely goofy, but with great content.
Experiential Learning Opportunity: Gamification
Oregon Trail stemmed from the realization that kids learn more when they are learning about real people doing real things. Although we as teachers all know that deeper learning happens when students see and experience life and culture, time and curriculum constraints often limit social studies classes to focusing on major events, dates and important people. We can still offer our students opportunities to "experience" their learning all without leaving the classroom. Below are some ideas for games that can create an optimum learning experience.
http://fourthgradegingerich.weebly.com/oregon-trail-game.html
Best Digital Games for Social Studies
https://braveintheattempt.com/2018/01/04/best-digital-games-for-social-studies/
iCivics
Digital History
Picture Book
In 1963 Birmingham, Alabama, thousands of African American children volunteered to march for their civil rights after hearing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. speak. They protested the laws that kept black people separate from white people. Facing fear, hate, and danger, these children used their voices to change the world. Frank Morrison's emotive oil-on-canvas paintings bring this historical event to life, while Monica Clark-Robinson's moving and poetic words document this remarkable time.
Chapter Book
Resistance by Jennifer E. Nielsen
Chaya Lindner is a teenager living in Nazi-occupied Poland. Simply being Jewish places her in danger of being killed or sent to the camps. After her little sister is taken away, her younger brother disappears, and her parents all but give up hope, Chaya is determined to make a difference. Using forged papers and her fair features, Chaya becomes a courier and travels between the Jewish ghettos of Poland, smuggling food, papers, and even people.
A Longer Read
The advent of the 24-hour news cycle, citizen journalism and an increased reliance on social media as a trusted news source have had a profound effect not only on how we get our news, but also on how we evaluate sources of information, share that information and interact with others in online communities. When these issues are coupled with the “fake news” industry that intentionally spreads false stories designed to go viral, educators are left facing a new and challenging landscape. This book will help them address these new realities.
Immerse yourself in the practice of teaching with primary sources from the unparalleled collections of Library of Congress. Held at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., our Summer Teacher Institutes provide educators of all disciplines with resources and strategies to effectively integrate primary sources into K-12 classroom teaching. Each session will focus on pedagogy, with an emphasis on supporting student engagement, critical thinking, and construction of knowledge. While practicing these teaching strategies, attendees will explore some of the millions of digitized historical artifacts and documents available in the Library’s collections. They will also conduct research to identify primary sources and develop an activity related to their classroom content.
Jessica Torres
ESC Region 12
#r12socstud
Email: jtorres@esc12.net
Location: ESC Region 12, West Loop 340, Waco, TX, USA
Phone: (254) 299-1118
Twitter: @owl_b_torresedu
