Monthly Archives: September 2012

SS Instructional Tool Kit

by

Next Generation Social Studies

As we start the new school year, we have new Next Generation Content Standards and Objectives for Social Studies to implement this year.  To clear up any confusion about the Next Generations Social Studies Standards and Objectives in West Virginia:  They were approved by the State Board of Education in February.  They became effective on July 1, 2012.  There will not be a roll out as there as been for ELA and Math.  The Next Generation Social Studies Standards and Objectives are in effect in grade K-12 during the 2012-2013 school year.  They can be found on the Policy Page of the WVDE website, and also be found on Teach21 under the interactive Next Generation Standards and Objectives along with the new ELA and Math.
 
    Kindergarten (page 10)
    1st grade  (page 15)
    2nd grade  (page 20)
    3rd grade  (page 25)
    4th grade  (page 32)
    5th grade  (page 38)


Below you will find answers to questions that you might have:

  • The current classroom materials were adopted before the current 21st Century Standards were in place, so they were not aligned totally to begin with. New instructional materials for Social Studies will be in the classrooms in the Fall of 2013.

  • A staff member from the WVDE Assessment office was actually at the table as the objectives were being written. A realignment of Westest2 is underway as we speak and it looks as though we are still in alignment with the Next Generation Standards. There will not be a new test created and no new questions will be added. As we keep in mind that there are little to no stand alone content questions on the test, the implementation of the new Literacy standards should help increase scores on the test. We have to prepare our students by letting them know that their skills as a historian, geographer, economist, and etc. will be assessed not independent bits of knowledge.

  • The textbook is a resource, however the world is full of primary source documents, interactive maps, guest speakers, online resources and an entire array of materials that Social Studies teachers are able to use in their classrooms, let the standards and objectives guide your teaching not the textbook.

  • The Electronic Resource Packages on Teach21 are realigned to the new objectives. They have been moved from the main page to the instructional plans tab under curriculum. During the 2012-2013 school year other resources on Teach21 will be aligned to the new standards and objectives.

  • The new History Clusters will help teachers in grades K-11 guide instruction.

  • Elementary teachers should be aware that the K-4 WV objectives have been embedded into grade specific K-5 history standards.

  • The History component of Social Studies should be taught as a story if we want students to retain the information. The other areas of Social Studies; Civics, Geography, Economics, and Literacy should be embedded within the story when possible and made meaningful to the students. Skills from all the areas will still need to be addressed and taught but make it meaningful for the students and make sure they understand why it is important for them to know this information.

  • You may find some helpful deisolating objective forms under the professional development tab on this page. These are not required and are not meant to be a curriculumn map, only a tool for individual teacher use as you plan your school year.

  • Common State Standards (common core) for Social studies are still in the development stages. If and when they are presented and complete they are only the standards. Each state will still have to develop their own objectives (which we have already done) and decide at what grade levels specific content will be addressed.

  • The SASS institute this summer trained individuals who are able to deliver professional development on the Next Generation Social Studies Standards and Objectives at the local and RESA levels.

  • The teachers who attended the SASS institute were given a list of resources for Social Studies.

  • Thinkfinity Resources have been aligned to the Next Generation Social Studies Standards and Objectives.

National History Day

by

Do you have questions about the 2013 National History Day theme? 

On Wednesday, September 26, 2012 from 3:00-5:00pm ET, NHD held an online discussion about this year’s theme where staff members will address questions from teachers, students and parents.

 To send us questions Please make sure you have “NHD THEME DISCUSSION” in your email subject line and  use the  info@nhd.org email address.

For Information go to www.nhd.org. where all questions and their answers will be posted on the discussion page on the NHD website as quickly as possible in the order received.

“My Election Polls”

by

The My Voice National Student Mock Election has launched My Election Polls [http://www.nationalmockelection.org/polls/]. Your students can sound off on issues of national importance leading up to the federal and state elections.

Examples topics include: Defining Success and Bullying. New polls will be posted twice a week, so be sure to check back.

www.nationalmockelection.org.

Meet My Voice National Student Mock Election Partner – Rand McNally

Rand McNally’s Play the Election helps students understand the election process through a collaborative, digital teaching tool. Students will predict the election winners for each state on an interactive election map, and compare predictions from their class to other classrooms across the country. To learn more about this and the other election offerings from Rand McNally, visit our curriculum page: www.nationalmockelection.org/curriculum

WV Student Essay Contest

by

Wonderful West Virginia News

Student Essay Contest

Seeking Inspirational West Virginians …

In celebration of West Virginia’s 150th birthday, the staff of Wonderful West Virginia is pleased to announce an essay contest for West Virginia students in grades 6 through 12. Two winning essays, one by a middle school student and one by a high school student, will be selected by magazine staff.  The winners will each receive $500, and the winning essays will be published in the May 2013 issue of Wonderful West Virginia.

Rules:

Students attending any West Virginia school, and those who are home schooled in the state, are eligible. Students wishing to participate in the contest should submit an essay of no more than 500 words addressing the following:

“Name a West Virginian, living or deceased, well known or not, who inspires you and state why. How has this person’s example impacted your choices and actions? Or, how might it impact them in the future?”

Essays will be judged on content, originality, and writing proficiency. Essays should be typed and double spaced. Students should include their name, school, grade, and e-mail address or telephone number.

Essays may be sent via e-mail as a Microsoft Word attachment to wonderfulwvessay@wv.gov or in hard copy to Wonderful West Virginia Student Essay Contest, c/o WVDNR, 324 Fourth Avenue, South Charleston, WV 25304.

Essays must be received via e-mail or postmarked no later than December 31, 2012.

Joey Wiseman, WVDE

Ideal 21st Century classroom

by

This video is only 3 minutes long.  I urge you to watch it twice.

1st viewing – just watch

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYMd-7Ng9Y8

 

2nd viewing

Watch it again from the beginning and take note of a few items:

  1. The students have clear task – build a bridge.  They know exactly what is expected.
  2. The students are fully aware of their progress.  No need to ask the teacher what their grade is.  They see it all the time.
  3. The students are using technology but it isn’t about the tech.  It is about  THINKING AND PROBLEM SOLVING
  4. There is parent involvement.
  5. There is involvement from experts outside the classroom.
  6. The teacher is in full control and can see the progress of every student, instantly.
  7. The students are engaged in a project that actually applies to the real world.  It is APPLICABLE.
  8. Several classrooms were connected together.
  9. Assessment was continuous, without ever having a standard paper based, fill in the blank test.
  10. This project involved math, science, social studies, technology, collaboration, problem solving, problem based learning and student engagement ALL AT THE SAME TIME!  (As opposed to doing 50 math problems on a worksheet.)

Here’s the thing, while the exact technology doesn’t exist in our classrooms yet, the concept is absolutely doable TODAY!  Most of the concepts and similar technologies in the video are available readily in our classrooms and yet the remain largely unused.

We have people all over the state that are trained to bring these ideas to life.  You just have to be willing to try.

Please share this message.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Mark Moore

Office of Instructional Technology

Honors 8th

by

This is a resource to assist Honors Social Studies in grade 8.

8th-Honors-syllabus

8th_grade_Social_Studies_Honors_CSOrevised

Teach21 Instructional Guide – The Formation of West Virginia – The 35th State Subject – SS Grade – 8

Teach21 Instructional Guide – Labor Movement of Coal Subject – SS Grade – 8

Teach21 Instructional Guide – How a Bill Becomes a Law Subject – SS Grade – 8

Teach21 Instructional Guide – Five Themes of Geography Subject – SS Grade – 8

Courtesy WVDE and Jefferson Co 

WV Culture & History Opportunities

by

Wanted:  High School Writers and Photographers for Sesquicentennial Contests

The West Virginia Division of Culture and History, in cooperation with the West Virginia Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission, is offering two opportunities for high school students around the state to share their creativity.  The West Virginia Sesquicentennial Essay Contest will allow students to submit 450 to 550 word essays on a topic related to the Civil War and West Virginia Statehood.  The author of the winning essay will receive $1,000 and the teacher of the student will receive a $500 cash award.  Essays will be accepted from Sept. 1, 2012 to November 1, 2012

The second program is the Sesquicentennial Snapshot contest.  The Division provided cameras and netbooks to selected public high schools in each county.  Students from those schools, and any other high school, are invited to photograph historic sites related to the sesquicentennial and submit them for consideration in the contest.  Cash prizes will be awarded for this program as well.

Information and entry forms for both programs can be found at http://www.wvculture.org/wv150/sesquicentennial .html.

For more information, contact Caryn Gresham at 304-558-0220 orcaryn.s.gresham@wv.gov

West Virginia Marching Band Invitational Showcasing West Virginia High School Bands

New this year!  The West Virginia Division of Culture and History is sponsoring a West Virginia Marching Band Invitational on Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012, at Glenville State College. All high school marching bands from across the state are invited to compete in what promises to be a fun and educational opportunity for everyone. For more information contact Bethany Cline, executive assistant, at bethany.k.cline@wv.gov or (304) 558-0220, ext. 113.

First Lady’s Festival of Songs Celebrating the Vocal Talents of High School Choirs and Choruses

The First Lady’s Festival of Songs at the Culture Center at the State Capitol Complex is set for Nov. 10, 2012.  Now in its second year, the program celebrates the joy of music by showcasing the vocal talents of West Virginia’s young people. Last year, more than 500 high-school students from 17 counties performed during the inaugural festival. The West Virginia Division of Culture and  History, which sponsors the event, hopes even more schools will  join in this year’s holiday celebration.  For more information contact Bethany Cline, executive assistant, at bethany.k.cline@wv.gov or (304) 558-0220, ext. 113.

History Bowl Challenges Eighth Graders Regional Tournaments Begin in February

Eighth graders from across West Virginia are invited to test and expand their knowledge of West Virginia history, government, literature, arts, architecture, geography and culture by participating in the West Virginia Division of Culture and History’s History Bowl. Regional competitions are scheduled for February 2013 and the state championship will be held April 30, 2013, at the Culture Center in Charleston. For more information, visitwww.wvculture.org/history/historybowl.html or contact Bryan Ward, tournament director, atbryan.e.ward@wv.gov or (304) 558-0230, ext. 723.

West Virginia Division of Culture and History’s Transportation Grant Program Makes Field Trips to the West Virginia State Museum More Affordable

The West Virginia Division of Culture and History’s Transportation Grant Program helps to make field trips to the West Virginia State Museum more affordable for all elementary, middle and high schools by paying half the expenses of bus trips. Reimbursed expenses include bus rentals, driver’s wages and gasoline. For more information visitwww.wvculture.org/museum/Grants/TransportationGrant.pdf or contact Nancy Herholdt, museum education manager, at nancy.p.herholdt@wv.gov or (304) 558-0220, ext. 175.

 

VH1 Save The Music Foundation Grants

Middle Schools Benefit from Statewide Program

The West Virginia Division of Culture and History is helping to put brand-new band instruments in the hands of our state middle-school students through a partnership with VH1 Save The Music Foundation and local community sponsors. Each participating school receives $30,000 worth of instruments purchased directly from an area retailer, which helps stimulate the local economy. For more information about how your school can apply for a grant to participate in the program, visit www.vh1savethemusic.com/ or contact Jeff Pierson, arts director, at jeff.a.pierson@wv.gov or (304) 558-0220, ext. 717.

Library of Congress Materials

by

Library of congress materials have been realigned to the Next Generation Social Studies Standards. http://www.loc.gov/teachers/standards/index.php    Search by Standard here

Online Modules for Teachers

On your own for professional development? Earn a certificate of completion by taking the Library’s self-paced interactive modules. Each multimedia-rich program delivers approximately one hour of staff development.

You would have to get permission from your county to use these for CTE time, however for those of you wanting more information on using primary sources in your classrooms these modules walk you through it step by step.

http://www.loc.gov/teachers/professionaldevelopment/selfdirected/

-Courtesy Joey Wiseman, WVDE