SAISD Social Studies Newsletter
September 17, 2021
Social Studies TEKS Revision Process and Workgroup Application
We definitely want representation from San Antonio ISD and our community in this revision process, so teachers are encouraged to apply to serve on the workgroups. If you have any questions, please reach out to Patrick at ppyle1@saisd.net, and if you apply, please also let Patrick know.
The First EPIC Saturday of the Year is Tomorrow, September 18
9:00 AM-11:00 AM Sessions
Critical Reading and Critical Writing in the Social Studies Classroom
Engage in AVID strategies to support the implementation of reading and writing in your social studies classroom. These strategies are designed for any content. Participants in the session will recognize how these strategies align with our SAISD Social Studies Instructional Framework and collaborate to create lessons with support from the presenter.
Performance Matters Registration
Bridging 8th Grade Pre-AP U.S. History to AP
Participants will begin to examine how middle school Pre-AP Social Studies teachers can focus on specific strategies and content to prepare students for future success in AP social studies classes. While the focus will be on 8th grade social studies and AP US History, other middle school Pre-AP teachers will learn impactful strategies to implement..
Performance Matters Registration
Active Classroom: The Resource for Social Studies
Active Classroom is the resource that strengthens student understanding of historical issues, builds skills, and supports literacy. The session will introduce teachers who are new to Active Classroom to the their resources and demonstrate some of its capabilities in meeting student's needs. Active Classroom is available for to all Social Studies teachers grades 6-12 in SAISD.
Performance Matters Registration
11:00 AM-1:00 PM Sessions
Utilizing Student-Centered Inquiry and the Skills TEKS with Primary Sources
Analyzing primary source documents is a vital component of effective social studies instruction that develops contextualization, critical thinking, and inferencing skills. This session will introduce strategies for analyzing primary sources with the Student-Centered Inquiry from the SAISD Social Studies Instructional Framework, and utilize the Social Studies TEKS Skills to reinforce student analysis and understanding.
Performance Matters Registration
Active Classroom: The Resource for Social Studies
Active Classroom is the resource that strengthens student understanding of historical issues, builds skills, and supports literacy. The session will introduce teachers who are new to Active Classroom to the their resources and demonstrate some of its capabilities in meeting student's needs. Active Classroom is available for to all Social Studies teachers grades 6-12 in SAISD.
High School U.S. History and Texas History Virtual PLNs on Thursday, September 23
Our High School U.S. History PLN will include strategies for structured conversations and respectful discourse, formative assessment strategies including incorporating new item types, and AP skills that will work for all students. The content focus will be on the upcoming unit Rise of a World Power.
The Texas History PLN will continue to include training and support for implementing the DBQ Online platform, which will be available to Texas History teachers and students soon.
Hispanic Heritage Month Begins September 15
National Hispanic Heritage Month Website
Hispanic Heritage Month from the National Archives
Hispanic Heritage Month Resources from the Smithsonian Latino Center
Hispanic Heritage Month from PBS
Are You Ready to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month? From Learning for Justice
Hispanic Heritage Month Resources from Scholastic
Hispanic Heritage Month from National Public Radio
5 Teacher Resources for Hispanic American Heritage Month from Facing History and Ourselves
Newsela Social Studies
This video (log into Classlink and open Newsela) may be helpful for getting started with Newsela Social Studies. You can now search for content in Newsela by standard, and this video reviews that process.
Fall Social Studies Professional Development
In addition to our Epic Saturday and PD in PJs offerings, the Social Studies Department will be offering virtual grade level specific PLNs during the fall semester.
Thursday, September 30, 4:15-5:45 PM
Thursday, December 2, 4:15-5:45 PM
7th Grade Texas History After School Virtual PLNs with DBQ Online
7th Grade Texas History will be piloting DBQ Online from the DBQ Project. These sessions will provide professional learning and support for DBQ Online.
Thursday, September 23, 4:15-5:45 PM
Thursday, October 7, 4:15-5:45 PM
Thursday, November 11, 4:15-5:45 PM
Thursday, December 9, 4:15-5:45 PM
8th Grade U.S. History After School Virtual PLNs
Thursday, September 16, 4:15-5:45 PM
Thursday, November 4, 4:15-5:45 PM
World Geography After School Virtual PLNs with DBQ Online
World Geography will also be piloting DBQ Online from the DBQ Project. The sessions will provide professional learning and support for implementing DBQ Online.
Thursday, October 14, 4:15-5:45 PM
Thursday, November4, 4:15-5:45 PM
Thursday, December 2, 4:15-5:45 PM
Thursday, January 20, 4:15-5:45 PM
Thursday, February 17, 4:15-5:45 PM
Thursday, March 31, 4:15-5:45 PM
World History After School PLNs
Thursday, September 30, 4:15-5:45 PM
Thursday, December 9, 4:15-5:45 PM
U.S. History Since 1877 After School PLN
Thursday, September 23, 4:15-5:45 PM
Thursday, November 11, 4:15-5:45 PM
Ethnic Studies Courses After School PLN
Thursday, October 21, 4:15-5:45 PM
Thursday, November 18, 4:15-5:45 PM
SAISD Social Studies Department
Director of Social Studies
Email: ppyle1@saisd.net
Website: https://www.saisd.net/page/socialstudies-home
Location: 514 West Quincy Street, San Antonio, TX, USA
Phone: 2105542530
Twitter: @saisdsocial
