Greetings Social Studies Educators,

The K-12 Social Studies Section in the Division of Standards, Curriculum and Instruction would like to welcome you back to school.  We hope you had a restful and enjoyable summer.  We know that you have been hard at work preparing for another productive and rewarding year.  Now that the doors are open, the school buses are rolling, and the students are ready to learn, we are so excited about the opportunity to serve you for another year!  Our team has also been hard at work developing and identifying quality instructional resources and professional learning opportunities to support effective implementation of the NC Standard Course of Study for K-12 Social Studies. This monthly update is one way to stay abreast of new materials and professional learning developed internally as well as from external entities.   

We want to take this opportunity to share our team’s mission and vision which is located above, as well as our key functions (please see below). If there are ways that we can support your work, please do not hesitate to reach out to any member of the K-12 Social Studies Team.  Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your professional learning network!

All the best for a successful school year!

The K-12 Social Studies Team-

Michelle McLaughlin, Justyn Knox, Phylisha Sanders, and Tom Daugherty

Key Functions

• Review and revise the NC Standard Course of Study for K-12 Social Studies
• Assist educators with aligning local curriculum, instruction, and assessment to the NCSCOS
• Assist educators with the development and implementation of local Character Education Plans
• Inform and advise stakeholders about state and federal policies and laws
• Provide professional learning opportunities
• Provide technical assistance and coaching to support educator effectiveness
• Create tools and systems to assist with effective implementation of the NCSCOS
• Identify evidence-based practices and materials that align to the NCSCOS  

Financial Literacy Needs Assessment 

Tell us how we can support you!

The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction K-12 Social Studies Team is seeking to continue to provide support to districts and teachers.

The purpose of this surveys is to gather information to determine how the NCDPI K-12 Social Studies Team can best support the needs of K-12 teachers as they teach financial literacy.

Access the survey today!

Personal Financial Literacy Needs Assessment Survey

Resources

K-12 Social Studies Essential Standards Wiki 

NCDPI's K-12 Social Studies Essential Standards Wiki website is a resource designed especially for educators to assist in the preparation of moving to the K-12 Social Studies Essential Standards. The North Carolina K-12 Social Studies Essential Standards are available, along with a number of other resources such as the Instructional Toolkit components and professional development material. 

Wikispaces, the company that hosts all of the DPI wikis, is going out of business, and plans are underway to move the wikis to a new online home with Google Sites.  We will continue to use the current Wikis through the end of this calendar year, so feel free to access and link to the World Languages wiki and other DPI Wikispaces for your work.

Details about content transfer, page layout, web addresses, and so forth are being discussed for the new websites, so look for updates on that information throughout the fall.

Follow us on Social Media

Facebook and Twitter  

AND...

Sign up for REMIND TODAY!!

NCDPI- Social Studies is proud to announce that we are able to communicate with social studies educators through http://www.remind.com. 

What is Remind?

• A FREE web and app based communication tool that can connect North Carolina educators to the NCDPI- Social Studies Team
• Fast, easy, convenient and effective way for NCDPI- Social Studies Team to communicate the most recent social studies related legislative updates, resources, events, announcements, webinars, opportunities, etc.
• NCDPI- Social Studies Team can send or receive messages via text or email to help update, remind, 
  connect, and/or communicate last minute changes
• Flip phone, IOS, or Android compatible
• Won’t clog inboxes
• Everyone’s contact information stays private because cell number and/or email address are not shown to users
• Joining only takes seconds : Text @bc8e8c to the number 81010 OR CLICK here

Registration for the North Carolina Poetry Out Loud program for 2018-2019 is now open! 

Poetry Out Loud is a national program sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation. Poetry Out Loud encourages students in grades 9-12 to learn about great poetry through memorization and recitation. This program, which is FREE for schools and students, helps students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about literary history and contemporary life. Student have the opportunity to compete at classroom, school, district, state, and national levels for cash prizes and money for their schools to purchase poetry books for school use. Poetry Out Loud can be incorporated into English or theatre curriculum in 2-3 weeks and aligns with state and national standards.

For more information about North Carolina Poetry Out Loud and to register your school to participate, visit https://triadstage.org/learning/poetryoutloud. You can also email State Coordinator Lauren Smith at poetryoutloud@triadstage.org with questions. We look forward to working with you and your students this year!

Upcoming Professional Development from the National Humanities

Humanities in Class: Digital Literacy in the Classroom is a five-module online course designed to explore ways in which the humanities can serve as a powerful tool in developing critical analytics skills in the 21st century information age.  In this virtual course, educators explore digital literacy and citizenship using investigation, analysis, discussion, and reflection based on materials developed by leading humanities scholars.  Participants will also develop a classroom resource that is customized to their own educational environment based on the NHC curriculum model.  The course opens on September 4 and earns participants 15 hours of CEU credit.

Course topics include:

• Calling Bull in the Classroom (with Jevin West of University of Washington)
• Manipulating History
• China: A Case Study (with Min Jang of UNC-Charlotte)

Registration is limited to 30: https://nationalhumanitiescenter.org/education-programs/courses/

Humanities in Class:  Sugar Mill, Sea, Society in Caribbean History on September 29, 2018 at the National Humanities Center.  This one-day symposium will help you understand this complex topic better - and to practice hands-on teaching strategies that will help your students use archival documents to investigate this global system.  You can also look forward to working with some familiar faces and colleagues - including Andrew Payne of the National Archives, Chris Bunin of Albemarle County Public Schools, and Mike Williams of Warren New Tech School in Warrenton, North Carolina.

Registration is limited to 80: https://nationalhumanitiescenter.org/sugar-mill-sea-society-caribbean-history/

Humanities in Class Webinar Series 2018-19 provides an irreverent, fast-paced forum for scholars and educators to discuss compelling topics in our world through a humanities lens.  This year we will feature sessions on the Second Amendment, privacy in the digital age, hip hop scholarship, and the truth and myths of Game of Thrones among other exciting topics.  

Registration is limited per session to 200: https://nationalhumanitiescenter.org/education-programs/webinars/

Fall 2018 Emerging Issues Forum “ReCONNECT to Community: Solving Problems Together for a More Prosperous Future.

The Institute for Emerging Issues (IEI) at North Carolina State University is a nonpartisan public policy organization focused on the state's vibrancy and economic competitiveness.

Registration is now open for the Institute for Emerging Issues (IEI) Fall 2018 Emerging Issues Forum “ReCONNECT to Community: Solving Problems Together for a More Prosperous Future.” The Forum takes place Monday, September 17, 2018 at the Crowne Plaza Resort in Asheville, NC from 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

This fall’s Emerging Issues Forum provides an opportunity for community leaders from across the state in business, education, government, non-profit, and faith community sectors to collaborate, share information, and connect as we move forward to solve this emerging issue of reconnecting NC.

Forum topics include: 

• A Historical Look at Civic Engagement in North Carolina 
• Diagnosing Disengagement: Why Aren’t North Carolinians Civically Engaged 
• How Civil Dialogue Works in Practice
• The Imperative of Engagement: A View from Gov. Roy Cooper 
• Civic Engagement in Action Strategies to Ignite Engagement in Your Community

Look for ongoing announcements of speakers over the next few weeks. 

Participants can register for the September 17 “ReCONNECT to Community” Forum by visiting www.emergingissues.org. The registration fee is $195.

Remembering 9/11

Join the 9/11 Memorial & Museum and students from around the world to commemorate the 17th anniversary of 9/11 by participating in an interactive webinar on TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 and WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2018. This FREE program connects students and teachers with Museum staff and guest speakers to learn about the attacks and the importance of commemoration. 

During the 30-minute program, you will be introduced to exhibitions within the Museum, learn about 9/11 through personal stories, and have the opportunity to ask questions through a live chat with Museum staff.

Speakers include:

Chief Joseph W. Pfeifer, current chief of counterterrorism and emergency preparedness for the FDNY and the first chief to arrive at the World Trade Center on the morning of 9/11

Lolita Jackson, a survivor of both the 1993 and 2001 terror attacks on the World Trade Center

Scott Strauss, a New York City Police Department officer who helped rescue a Port Authority Police Department officer trapped under debris after the collapse of the Twin Towers

Lila Nordstrom, a student on 9/11 at Stuyvesant High School, located next to the World Trade Center, who founded StuyHealth, an advocacy group for young adults impacted by 9/11 and its aftermath

There will be an exclusive preview of the program available for administrators and teachers beginning September 4 at 8:00 a.m. (EST). This can be accessed at 911memorial.org/webinar.

The webinar will be interpreted in American Sign Language and captioned. An audio description will also be available.

REGISTER HERE.

Please forward to colleagues who may be interested. We want to ensure students from North Carolina have access to this free educational opportunity. 

For more information, see: 911memorial.org/webinar or contact the Education Programs Staff at:anniversaryintheschools@911memorial.org  

Additional 9/11 Resources:

• U.S. Department of Education: 9/11 Materials 
• PBS Newshour: The 9/11 Anniversary
• Bringing 9/11 into the Classroom 
• Primary Sources 
• Teaching 9/11
• Talking to Students about 9/11
• Teaching 9/11 in a Changing World

Sign Up for First Vote NC:
2018 Midterm Election

A Transformational Civics Experience
More than 37,000 NC students in 49 NC counties have participated in First Vote

Sign up for this free resource and you will have access to:

* Simulation election that provides students with a ballot identical to that of your school precinct. Students can vote on phones or computers.

* Private teacher discussion platform hosted by Participate

* Lesson plan portfolio developed for NC high school teachers

* Voting data for students to analyze that includes election outcomes, issue-based question outcomes, and contextual demographic information.

If young people have a chance to practice voting every year, voting becomes a habit that that will stay with them for a lifetime. Join EdNC’s First Vote initiative and make North Carolina a leader in cultivating civically engaged and informed young people.

 For more information, please visit www.firstvotenc.org or contact Hunter Buxton at hbuxton@ednc.org or 919-605-5317.

Opportunities and Resources from The NC Museum of History

VIPs at Tryon Place

Wednesday, September 12
10:15–11:15 a.m.

Who were the Very Important People at Tryon Palace?

Home to Royal Governors Tryon and Martin, Tryon Palace was the seat of government during tumultuous colonial times. During this free live-stream event, we’ll go behind the scenes and explore some history, spaces, and things associated with the site, and we’ll learn more about the people who called the New Bern area home.

Your VIP guides will be Museum of History educator Sally Bloom and Tryon Palace educators Amber Satterthwaite and Sharon Bryant. Register below to join us!

Register Here

Enjoy the North Carolina Museum of History in Your Classroom!

With History-In-a-Box kits, educators can take a fresh approach to introducing topics in history!  These multidisciplinary teaching tools provide background materials, reproduction artifacts, lessons, and activities that tie North Carolina history with language arts, science, math, and visual art.

All kits may be borrowed for up to three weeks; and, we charge no rental fee, so the user is only responsible for paying return shipping (typically between $15 and $30 per kit). Teachers in Wake County and surrounding areas can save the museum and themselves shipping costs by picking up and returning kits to the Museum of History. 

Reserve Your Kit

Join the Tar Heel Jr. Historian Association!

Made up of clubs from all around the state, the Tar Heel Junior Historian Association (THJHA) is a great resource for you and for your students. Advisers can register as a class, as an extracurricular club, as a homeschool family, or even as a group meeting at a historic site—we accept clubs of any shape and size!

Perks include:

• A “Welcome to the Club!” kit, featuring some THJH goodies.
• A copy of our twice-yearly publication, the award-winning Tar Heel Junior Historian magazine for you and each of your students (up to 80 copies).
• Access to a digital classroom with lesson plans, resources, and discussion boards for advisers.
• An exclusive day (April 26, 2019, this school year) at the North Carolina Museum of History, just for THJH members, that is filled with hands-on learning experiences and workshops.
• An opportunity to compete in statewide contests for the chance to have your students’ projects displayed in the THJHA museum gallery for an entire year.

You’ll find a lot to love about the Tar Heel Junior Historian Association, so what are you waiting for? Join today!

Click to Join THJH

For Educators Only!  

Tuesday, October 30
4:30–7:30 p.m.

It’s that time of year again: come to the third annual Educators’ Night Out event!  This is your night at the museum to “meet” folks from North Carolina’s past, create sweet-Potato Head mascots, and compete in a scavenger hunt for prizes—all while discovering educational resources for you and your students. Plus, explore exhibits, enjoy refreshments, and receive a discount in the Museum Shop.

Arts Integration Opportunity with EbzB Productions

The award-winning professional touring theatre company, EbzB Productions offers theatrical performances, workshops, residencies and professional development for Arts Integration experiences with Language Arts, History and Social Studies. Performances help to address National and State Standards.  Please Consider Wrights of Passage (K-8), War Bonds (4-12), Night Before Christmas Carol (4-12), In One Era and Out The Other (8-12) and Native (9-12). Study Guides and Workshops are available. Contact ebzb@ebzb.org and visit www.ebzb.org for more information.

EbzB Productions is featured in the NC Arts Council’s Touring Artist Directory, United Arts Council’s Artists in Schools Directory, and the Arts Council of Fayetteville and Cumberland County Artists In Schools Directory. These organizations provide grant support to bring EbzB performances and residencies into schools. 

EbzB Productions, Inc, received the 2017 Hardee-Rives Award For Dramatic Arts. This award is presented in recognition of “excellent, exemplary work in and significant contribution and service to the dramatic arts in North Carolina.”

2019 Gilder Lehrman History Teacher of the Year

Congratulations to Brandon Brown from Lake Norman Charter School on being selected as the 2018 Gilder Lehrman History Teacher of the Year. Mr. Brown has taught in Wake County, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, and most recently at Lake Norman Charter School in Huntersville. He was chosen as the 2016-2017 Charter School Teacher of the Year. He is a firm believer in using historical content to help students learn to think rather than just remember content.

For more information on the 2019 National History Teacher of the Year visit the nominations and eligibility page. 

National winner receives a $10,000 prize presented at an award ceremony in their honor in New York City.

State winners receive a $1,000 prize, an archive of classroom resources, and recognition at a ceremony in their state.

NCCSS 2019 Outstanding Social Studies Teacher of the Year

The North Carolina Council for the Social Studies recognizes exemplary teaching in the field of social studies. Teachers may be nominated by an individual; preferably a principal, supervisor, or fellow teacher, or a group. Self-nominations are also accepted. The 2019 Social Studies Teacher of the Year Award is presented at the NCCSS Annual State Conference, February 28-March 1, 2019. 

The winner of the Social Studies Teacher of the Year Award will be presented an award check for $1,000 at the Conference Luncheon. The winner is encouraged to share his/her expertise and experiences by presenting on a session topic of his/her choice at the 2020 Annual Conference; if the winner chooses to do so, the NCCSS will also waive the Conference registration fee in 2020. In addition, the recipient will have an honorary appointment on the NCCSS executive board for one year of service.NCCSS looks forward to having the input of our Teacher of the Year!

If you have any questions about the NCCSS Teacher of the Year Award, please contact: Jeff Schneider at jschneid4@gmail.com.

 Application Deadline: October 1, 2018.

• Click here for the TOY nomination form
• Teacher of the Year Program Information

NCCSS Student Teacher of the Year

The North Carolina Council for the Social Studies recognizes exemplary teaching in the field of social studies. Our student teachers are the future of our discipline and the NCCSS celebrates their entry into a rewarding profession. Student teachers may be nominated by an individual; preferably a principal or professor.  The Social Studies Student Teacher of the Year Award is presented at the NCCSS annual state conference held each year.  The winner of the 2019 Social Studies Student Teacher of the Year Award will be presented an award check for $1000 at the conference luncheon.  Review all eligibility requirements in the link below.

If you have any questions about the NCCSS Student Teacher of the Year Award, please contact: Jeff Schneider at http://jschneid4@gmail.com. 

Application Deadline: October 1, 2018.

Click here for the STOY nomination form

Student Teacher of the Year Program Information

NCCSS Election!

Are you interested in having a voice in Social Studies at the state level? Run for the NCCSS Board of Directors! 

In February 2019, members of the North Carolina Council for the Social Studies will elect: 3 members to the Board of Directors, 1 Treasurer, and 1 President-Elect to guide the work of NCCSS. We need extraordinary social studies educators like you to help lead this professional organization. 

Click here for more information and to become a candidate – nominations are due by October 1: 

http://ncsocialstudies.org/elections/. 

Please contact NCCSS Elections Chair Emma Harver at harver@email.unc.edu with any questions.