Author Archives: gsumner3rd

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DIGITAL- WV Bluebook

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The WV Legislature has released the WV Bluebook in Digital form.  The format looks the same, and if you would like to access a copy you can download it odd the WV Legislature website or simply click the link below:  

(Caution it is a big file as it is 900+ pages)

 

WV Bluebook 2012-13

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E Book- We the People

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 New Ebook Brings Civic Education Into the Digital Age

We the People Now Available As an Enhanced Ebook

LOS ANGELES — We the People: The Citizen & the Constitution, an internationally acclaimed civics textbook for high school students, is now available as a Web-based enhanced ebook that can be read on nearly any device, including Macs and PCs, Apple iPads and iPhones, Android tablets and smart phones, and Windows 8 touch-screen devices.

 

“The Center for Civic Education has successfully transformed its flagship into a starship that should gain new users, retain loyal users, and provide all with an enhanced alternative to print that is durable, affordable, and easy to access and store,” said Stephen Schechter, a professor of political science and history at Russell Sage College.

 

The We the People enhanced ebook features hundreds of videos, photos, fundamental documents, and interactive exercises that give students a rich, multimedia environment for learning about the Constitution and the contemporary issues that impact today’s learners. Each lesson also includes a built-in optional teacher/guide and audio narration.

 

“We wanted to give teachers and students an affordable, easy-to-use, and interactive web-based We the People textbook that not only enhances the text, but also maintains the quality and integrity of We the People, which has been used in classrooms around the country for more than 25 years,” said Charles N. Quigley, the Center’s executive director.

 

“The We the People enhanced ebook uses hand-selected resources and web-based technology to introduce a new generation of students to the fundamental concepts of our constitutional democracy.”

 

We the People was first published in 1987, when its development was funded and cosponsored by the Commission on the Bicentennial of the United States Constitution. The commission was chaired by Chief Justice of the United States Warren Burger, who was an early supporter of the We the People program and wrote an introduction to the textbook. The program has reached more than 30 million students since 1987.

 

“The We the People program engages students in learning about the U.S. Constitution and our system of government. The program helps them to become passionate, dedicated learners and responsible citizens,” said Robert S. Leming, director of We the People.

 

“The new We the People enhanced ebook involves students in an online learning experience that allows them to dig even deeper into the history and understanding of democratic principles and ideas of representative government.”

 

We the People is priced at $19.95 per user for a six-year license or $9.95 for one year. It can be purchased at http://motuspublishing.com/shop/wethepeople.

 

Subscribers can visit the iTunes App Store and the Google Play App Store to download and install the We the People mobile app, which can be used to access their ebook anytime, anywhere using the same username and password. The apps and the browser-based versions save student answers to exercises to the cloud, which means that student work can be accessed on any device the student might use.

 

A sample We the People lesson is available at http://demoapp.motuspublishing.com/sample-media-book/. A user’s guide can be viewed at http://motuspublishing.com/ebook/we-the-people/support.

 

About the Center for Civic Education

The Center for Civic Education (www.civiced.org) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan educational organization dedicated to fostering the development of informed, responsible participation in civic life by citizens committed to values and principles fundamental to American constitutional democracy. The Center’s programs are implemented with the assistance of a network of public- and private-sector organizations and educational leaders in every state and congressional district in the country and in more than eighty other countries, many of which are emerging and advanced democracies.

 

 

Robert “Joey” Wiseman Jr.

Assistant Director

Office of Secondary Learning

Instructional Materials

Social Studies

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Emancipating West Virginia

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Emancipating West Virginia: Abe Lincoln Creates a State”

Harold Holzer

7:30 PM, Thursday, October 17

The Culture Center, Charleston

 

Free and open to the public. Seating is first come, first served. A book signing and reception will follow the program.

With the Civil War raging Abraham Lincoln asked his cabinet to debate the question of a new state joining the Union. The president ultimately decided in favor of admission and West Virginia was born on June 20, 1863.

 

Harold Holzer examines Lincoln’s decision for the 2013 McCreight Lecture. Holzer is a leading authority on Lincoln and the political culture of the Civil War era. He served as co-chairman of the Lincoln Bicentennial Commission and is a National Humanities Medal recipient. A prolific writer and speaker, Holzer was script consultant for the critically acclaimed Steven Spielberg film, Lincoln.

 

Call 304-346-8500 for more information.

 

Mark Payne, Program Officer

West Virginia Humanities Council

1310 Kanawha Blvd. E., Charleston, WV  25301

304-346-8500 ~ 304-346-8504 (fax)

www.wvhumanities.org

 

Visit the West Virginia Encyclopedia at www.wvencyclopedia.org

 

 

Robert “Joey” Wiseman Jr.

Assistant Director

Office of Secondary Learning

Instructional Materials

Social Studies

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Student Programs Webinar- Oct 3-2013

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On Behalf of

Robert “Joey” Wiseman, Assistant Director

Office of Secondary Learning

 

The Student Programs Webinar for this year will take place on October 3, 2013 from 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM. The main two programs for updates will the Golden Horseshoe Programs and The State Social Studies Fair and History Day Competitions.

 

The Social Studies Fair has many new exciting changes this year.  We have new score cards for all areas of the fair and high school students will only be participating in the National History Portion of the fair.

 

With these changes come changes in the number of students who can participate at various levels as well as the requirements for each and every entry.  It may be beneficial for counties or RESAs to bring a group of teachers together to participate in this webinar.  Please make every attempt to take part and make sure the fairs in your school, county, and RESA are a success as always.

 

For optimal participation in the webinar, you will need access to a computer with Internet and telephone.  You may also connect with just a computer or a telephone.  You may also connect via mobile device such as the iPhone, iPad, or android device using the GoToMeeting app.

 

Thanks to the Office of Early Learning’s partnership with HeadStart we are able to host this webinar via GoToMeeting.  The name the account is registered in is Traci Dalton.  However, please do not direct any question to Ms. Dalton.  If you have any questions, please contact Joey Wiseman, rjwisema@access.k12.wv.us, or Veronica Barron, vbarron@access.k12.wv.us, at 304-558-5325.

 

1.    Please join my meeting.  https://www3.gotomeeting.com/join/382269854

 

2.     Make sure you have downloaded GoToMeeting to your computer or the app to your device prior to the meeting.

 

3.    Use your microphone and speakers (VoIP) – a headset is recommended.  Or, call in using your telephone.

 

Dial +1 (312) 878-3080

Access Code: 382-269-854

Audio PIN: Shown after joining the meeting

 

Meeting ID: 382-269-854

 

 

Veronica Barron

Secretary III-A

Office of Secondary Learning

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Study Abroad Scholarships

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The U.S. Department of State announces scholarships for American high school students to study abroad

 

The National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) offers merit-based scholarships to U. S. high-school aged students for overseas study of seven critical foreign languages:  Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), Hindi, Korean, Persian (Tajiki), Russian and Turkish.  The NSLI-Y program is designed to immerse participants in the cultural life of the host country, giving them invaluable formal and informal language practice and sparking a lifetime interest in foreign languages and cultures.  Applications for summer 2014 and academic year 2014-2015 programs are due November 5, 2013.  Visitwww.nsliforyouth.org for more information.

 

The Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Abroad Program offers scholarships to American high school students to spend the 2014-15 academic year in countries that may include Bosnia & Herzegovina, Egypt, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mali (semester), Morocco, Oman, South Africa, Thailand, Tunisia, and Turkey. This post 9/11 program focuses on increasing understanding between people in the U.S. and countries with significant Muslim populations. Visithttp://www.yesprograms.org/yesabroad for more information.

 

The Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Program (CBYX) was established in 1983 to celebrate German-American friendship based on common values of democracy.  Secondary school students, ages 15-18, live with host families, attend local schools, and participate in community life in Germany.  Young professionals (undergraduates) and high school graduates of vocational studies, ages 18-24, study and participate in practical training.  Scholarships are now available for academic year 2014-15.  For more information and application deadlines, visit the organization in charge of recruitment for your state at http://www.usagermanyscholarship.org/

 

The American Youth Leadership Program offers opportunities for American high students and educators to travel abroad on a three- to four-week-long exchange program to gain first-hand knowledge of foreign cultures and to collaborate on solving global issues.   Several different organizations implement this program, and each has organized an academic and experiential educational exchange focused on dialogue and debate, leadership development, and community service. Recruitment areas and application deadlines vary, so please check the http://exchanges.state.gov/us/program/youth-leadership-programswebsite for more information.

For more information on exchanges sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, please visitwww.exchanges.state.gov

 

 

 

Robert “Joey” Wiseman Jr.

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WVU Model UN Conference

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WVU Model United Nations High School Conference

November 15-17, 2013

West Virginia University | Morgantown, WV

Model United Nations is a fun, hands-on, collaborative simulation that encourages

discussion of global issues.

Students are invited to join us on the West Virginia University campus to participate

in this multicultural activity that promotes global awareness, an understanding of

other cultures and diversity.

At our conference, students will role-play as United Nations ambassadors while

debating two important topics:

-Achieving MDG6: Combating HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Other Diseases Beyond 2015

-Protecting the Rights of the Child: The Role of the Child Soldier in Armed Combat

Following Model UN parliamentary procedure, student delegates make speeches,

write resolutions, negotiate with allies and adversaries and resolve conflicts in the

interest of promoting international cooperation. Model UN delegations work to

resolve issues that cannot be solved by individual countries alone.

Model UN delegates gain valuable skills in leadership, public speaking, problem solving,

coalition building, conflict resolution, compromise, cooperation, critical thinking

and analysis.

This conference also offers the opportunity to meet high school students from across

the state, tour the beautiful WVU campus and meet with WVU faculty and staff to

talk about educational opportunities at the University.

Registration, country assignments, training materials and lodging information can be

found on our website: http://munclub.studentorgs.wvu.edu/

WVU Model United Nations High School Conference

Tentative Conference Schedule

Friday, November 15th

3:00 – 6:00 Registration

6:00 – 7:00 Opening Ceremony

7:00 – 9:00 Committee Session I

9:00 – 10:00 Optional Fun Activity

Saturday, November 16th

9:00 – 12:00 Committee Session II

12:00 – 2:00 Lunch and WVU Campus Tour

2:00 – 5:00 Committee Session III

5:00 – 7:00 Dinner on your own

7:00 – 9:00 Committee Session IV

9:00 – 10:00 Optional Fun Activity

Sunday, November 17th

9:00 – 11:00 Committee Session V

11:00 – 12:00 Closing Ceremony Awards

Professional dress is required.

Model United Nations Club

462 Stansbury Hall

P.O. Box 6211

Morgantown, WV 26506-6211

Phone: 304-293-4722

Fax: 304-293-8022

clarissa.estep@mail.wvu.edu

munclub.studentorgs.wvu.edu

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Constitution Day- September 17th, 2013

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Constitution Day

Robert C. Byrd inserted a provision into a massive spending bill that Congress passed in 2004 requiring every school and college that receives federal money to teach about the Constitution on Sept. 17, the day it was adopted in 1787. This year Constitution Day is being observed on Tuesday,  September 17, 2013.  Throughout his life, the West Virginia Democrat kept a copy of the Constitution in his pocket.

The federal government does not dictate when or how to implement the lesson. It was Senator Byrd’s intention that educators use creativity and find interesting ways to teach the lessons of the Constitution.  You may determine what kind of program you want to organize, (for example assembly, school play or reenactment, closed-circuit TV broadcast throughout the building followed by classroom discussion.) Below you will find a list of current resources available online to assist you with lesson plans, primary source documents, biographies, role-play scenarios and other activities too numerous to mention.

 

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WALS Foundation Mock Trial

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The WALS Foundation Mock Trial program has assisted schools across the state for ten years.  Over 11,500 students in twelve West Virginia counties have participated.  The program brings the American Justice System to life as students learn about the dangers of abusing prescription drugs. 

The mock trial program meets the fifth grade mock trial objective in the West Virginia Next Generation Content Standards and Objectives for Social Studies.  For more information please visithttp://walswheeling.com/mocktrials.shtml.

Courtesy:

Robert “Joey” Wiseman Jr.

Social Studies Coordinator

Office of Secondary Learning