Sent on Behalf of:

News Release: Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education Launches New Education Initiative   

With the help of a $136,250.00 Benedum Foundation grant, the Robert C. Byrd Center and Shepherd University announces the People Powered Civic Action, Community Engagement, and American Representative Democracy initiative to enrich the civics and social studies education of West Virginia students across the state. Utilizing the rich resources of the Robert C. Byrd Archives, this educational initiative has been structured to transform the teaching of 10^th, 11^th, and 12^th grade history, social studies, and civics classes, as well as AP American history classes. 

The People Powered Project is designed to bring together thirty public school teachers from across the state for an intensive introduction to the principles behind the People Powered teaching project, as well as a range of experiential learning tools developed by the Byrd Center for the teaching of civics and social studies classes. High school history and civics teachers can apply for one of two intensive workshops, held virtually from the Byrd Center on June 28 and 30, 2023.  If accepted for the People Powered Program, the teachers will receive a stipend of $925 each for the time and energy spent participating in the workshop and the pilot project over the 2023-24 academic year. 

At the end of the 2023-24 academic year, civics, history and social studies teachers participating in the project will select a particularly effective, fun, or high-stakes learning activity, lesson, or unit to present at the April 20, 2024 People Powered capstone presentation, also virtual for statewide access.  The most effective presentation will be awarded a $5000 prize for their school to enhance the social studies curriculum and/or to apply toward learning resources and educational initiatives at the winning institution. 

The People Powered project is geared to engender civic action, community engagement, and to enhance American Representative Democracy in the curriculum and lives of young citizens throughout West Virginia, and most important to inspire experiential learning in the social studies curriculum in the public schools through the resources of the Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education. 

Teachers who are interested in participating in the one-day work and People Powered project can submit their application directly online at the Byrd Center website at https://www.byrdcenter.org/, by clicking the People Powered link under “Education.” Only thirty teachers will be selected for the project, so educators are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. For information, contact People Powered Program Manager, Dr. Sylvia Bailey Shurbutt at the Shepherd University Center for Appalachian Studies and Communities at SShurbut@shepherd.edu. Applications are made directly online through the Byrd Center website. 

https://www.byrdcenter.org/people-powered-2023-program.html

People Powered 2023 ProgramTraditional civics education has focused largely on the establishment, structures, and inner-workings of the federal government, specifically the duties and prerogatives of the executive,…www.byrdcenter.org

FREE Electoral College Map from C-Span Classroom

C-Span Classroom has released their 2024 electoral college map and teachers may request their free copy here.

Their website includes lesson plans and activities to help students understand our voting system.

While you wait for the printed map to arrive, here’s a jpeg file for you to use!

FREEDOMS FOUNDATIONS at Valley Forge

Dynamic Summer PD Opportunities for Social Studies Teachers in Historic Valley Forge, PA!

Enrich your knowledge and your classroom experience through our critically acclaimed and accredited seminars! Teachers across the country are welcome to apply and scholarships are readily available!

We welcome many West Virginia educators every year and we hope you can join us this year.

You won’t want to miss this unique opportunity. Apply today for one of our in-person seminars: www.freedomsfoundation.org/teachers/.

Black History Resources

February 1, 2022 by gsumner3rd

Celebrating Black History Month

February 2023

Black History Month, also known as African American History month, has been nationally recognized by every U.S. president since 1976.  We are happy to share resources with you throughout the month of February to bring to students’ attention the changes in how people of African descent in the United States have viewed themselves, the influence of social movements on racial ideologies, and the aspirations of the black community.

National Archives

The National Archives holds a wealth of material documenting the African American experience and highlights these resources online, in programs, and through traditional and social media.

https://www.archives.gov/news/topics/african-american-history

Public Broadcasting

PBS provides a collection of 17 lesson plans and resources that cover topics ranging from important civil rights anniversaries to discussions about race in current events.

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/2014/02/black-history-month-teaching-resources/

Smithsonian National Museum of American History

Explore Black History Month with your students using lessons, podcasts, activities, and primary sources.

https://historyexplorer.si.edu/major-themes/theme/black-history-month

National Geographic KIDS

A brief history of the celebration and history of African Americans as part of Black History Month

https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/black-history-month

CNN

CNN focuses on 28 Black figures – one for each day of February – who don’t often make the history books.

https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2021/02/us/little-known-black-history-figures/

National Park Service

From the first footsteps of enslaved peoples on American soil to where Martin Luther King, Jr. challenged us all to rise to his “Dream,” national parks preserve the places where this history happened.

https://www.nps.gov/subjects/africanamericanheritage/index.htm/index.htm

iCivics

In celebration of Black History Month, iCivics shares resources as well as partner organizations to support learning and conversations in the classroom.

https://www.icivics.org/news/blog-post/black-history-month-lesson-plans-and-resources-classroom-0

Center for Civic Education

The Center for Civic Education has posted The School Violence Prevention Demonstration Program presenting lesson plans that explore the use of nonviolence in history, paying particular attention to the civil rights movement, and African American history.

https://www.civiced.org/lesson-plans/black-history-month

History Channel 

General information for Black History Month is presented by the History Channel.

https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/black-history-month

Closing the racial wealth gap isn’t a simple fix. But many experts say education and financial literacy can help. In this article, we identify the impact this knowledge gap has on the African American community — and explore how Black educators and financial advisors are working to close it.

Other Resources

Carlotta Spears Bass | Unladylike

Learn about Charlotta Spears Bass, a crusading newspaper editor and politician who was one of the first African American women to own and operate a newspaper in the United States, in this video from the Unladylike2020 series.

https://wv.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/ull20-charlotta-spears-bass-video/unladylike2020/#.YBRdDTFKhmJ

Brown v. Board of Education and Jackie Robinson’s Push for Equality

Students examine why and how Jackie Robinson fought for further integration after the Supreme Court’s decision that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional in Brown v. Board of Education. Students will explore the Robinson family’s experiences facing overt racism, and discuss the ways implicit attitudes of prejudice shape people’s behavior and treatment of others.

https://wv.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/jackierobinson-clip-brown-board-ed/ken-burns-jackie-robinson-brown-board-ed-activity/#.YBRaYzFKhmI

Keep Your Head Up | Black America Since MLK | And Still I Rise

In this lesson, students examine their attitudes about some of the complexities posed by race. Students then explore the success of two African Americans in the entertainment industry—Oprah Winfrey and Robert L. Johnson, head of BET (Black Entertainment Television).

https://wv.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/b2d0b150-7e31-4fa0-b44c-a43dff5633ac/keep-your-head-up-black-america-since-mlk-and-still-i-rise/

National Archives

The National Archives holds a wealth of material documenting the African American experience and highlights these resources online, in programs, and through traditional and social media.

https://www.archives.gov/news/topics/african-american-history

Financial Literacy  

As we celebrate Black History Month, there is no denying that there are inequalities in our country that need addressing. Closing the racial wealth gap in America isn’t a simple fix, but many experts say education and financial literacy can help. To shed light on the topic, here is an in-depth article discussing:

– The impact that this knowledge gap has on the African American community
– Socioeconomic and cultural barriers
– The role of Black financial advisors

https://annuity.org/financial-literacy/black-community/

See the notes on the upcoming Golden Horseshoe Test above.

Sent on Behalf of Glenville State University

Glenville is hosting a free workshop for teachers! Please see all the details below. Space is very limited.

October 28, 2022  

9:00am—4:00pm   

Presentation by Jason Gum highlighting Glenville State University’s WV Veterans Oral History Collection. Presentations by members of Glenville State University’s Social Science department on teaching with primary sources in various fields such as US history, WV history, Appalachian history, civics, African-American history, and geography.  

6:00pm-7:30pm 

Screening of Harriet Tubman: Visions of Freedom, followed by a roundtable discussion of the film. 

October 29, 2022  

8:00am-3:00pm  

Dr. Francene Kirk, Director of the West Virginia Folklife Center will present her curriculum unit on creating historical plausible characters. A continuation of the presentations by members of Glenville State University’s Social Science department on teaching with primary sources. 

Cost:   $0  

The WVU Department of History received a grant from Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources Eastern Region Program, coordinated by Waynesburg University.  Grant funds will cover: 

·        One–two nights accommodation in Glenville or the surrounding area for participants traveling further than 15 miles to campus  

·        Meals   

·        Up to $100 travel allowance (mileage reimbursement or rental car) for participants traveling further than 15 miles  

·        Participants who incorporate Library of Congress resources into their curriculum will be eligible to apply for one of four available awards of $300 to be distributed in February 2023.   

·        The grant will fund registration for the National History Day contest for eight NHD students who incorporate Library of Congress resources into their research  

Registration:  There is funding for 12 teachers to participate in the October 28-29, 2022 workshop.   Please register by completing this survey: 

https://wvu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8piIZWj1fB39iCO

These workshops are sponsored in part by the Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources Eastern Region Program, coordinated by Waynesburg University. 

Best Regards,

Dustin Lambert, M.Ed.

Coordinator

Middle Schools & Social Studies 6-12

West Virginia Nonpublic Schools & Homeschool

Division of Academic Achievement and Support

Office of Teaching and Learning

Building 6, Room 500

1900 Kanawha Boulevard, East

Charleston, WV 25305-0330

304.558.8098 P

833.627.2833 Toll Free

304.558.1613 F

dllambert@k12.wv.us  

wvde.state.wv.us

Sent on Behalf of Richard Zukowski

The West Virginia Council for the Social Studies

 

The West Virginia Council for the Social Studies is hosting its annual conference for teachers of all grade levels on July 18, 2022, at Grafton High School in Taylor County.  Attached is a form to determine interest and request for presentations.  Please fill out and more information will be sent in late April and May.  Hope to see you there.  If you have any questions, feel free to contact Richard Zukowski at rzukowsk@k12.wv.us

 

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=S7AZ4AwzekaLrgn7FzdNahPkey0kVrdAvaHNVq_ZajVURUlZVUlEMlk4VDdKSFdVNjhQMkpFSkZGSy4u

Fill | West Virginia Council for the Social Studies Conference (July 18, 2022) Please fill out this form if you are interested in attending the WVCSS State Conference at Grafton High School on July 18, 2022.  If you would like to be a presenter and want to present a 50 minutes session, fill out the rest of the form.  This conference is open to all grade levels.  The cost of the conference will be $5 and will be payable on July 18.   forms.office.com

 

Sent on Behalf of

Dr. Eric Waggoner, Executive Director

West Virginia Humanities Council

 

I write with pleasure to say that the West Virginia Humanities Council is embarked on developing a new ongoing educational resource project, designed to support teachers and students of civics, history (local, state, and national), and social studies across multiple grade levels.

 

With support from the National Endowment for the Humanities’ special initiative “A More Perfect Union,” the Council is working with teachers to develop a “Civics Toolkit” for public release through e-WV: The West Virginia Encyclopedia Online. 

 

As we plan and design this ongoing multimedia resource, we seek input from active teachers in the relevant subject areas, to help us shape the toolkit’s content and format. 

 

The survey is live, and may be accessed through the URL included in the body of the attached letter.

 

 

 

With support from the National Endowment for the Humanities’ special initiative “A More Perfect Union,” the West Virginia Humanities Council, the state affiliate of the NEH, seeks to develop a “Civics Toolkit” for use by K-12 state/national history and social studies teachers and students. 

 

This toolkit, consisting of primary historical documents and multimedia supporting materials, will be designed to promote civics education (knowledge of the operational rules and processes of state, local, and U.S. government) and civic engagement (awareness of how direct individual participation in civic or public life can positively impact state, local, or national conditions).  The Council seeks to offer this toolkit through e-WV: The West Virginia Encyclopedia Online, alongside and supported by that reference work’s established educational resources such as lesson plans and interactive media.

 

The Council seeks direct input from K-12 subject area instructors as we plan and develop this toolkit.  Accessible at the URL listed below, this brief survey will help the West Virginia Humanities Council develop its Civics Toolkit by soliciting feedback from teachers of West Virginia or U.S. History, Social Studies, and/or Civics.

 

Please respond in detail to all questions, as applicable to your field or teaching focus.

 

Responses are requested by April 30, 2022.

 

Civics Toolkit Survey URL: https://wvhumanitiescouncil.formstack.com/forms/civics_survey

 

With gratitude,

 

 

Dr. Eric Waggoner

Executive Director

West Virginia Humanities Council

waggoner@wvhumanities.org

304.346.8500 (o)