NCCSS Presents Webinar: Story-Driven Social Studies with Literacy Connections for Elementary Learners

Date: Thursday, October 8, 2026

Time: 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM

Presenter: Michelle McLaughlin

NCDPI CEU Certificate: 1.5 Contact Hours

Picture Book: Pies from Nowhere: How Georgia Gilmore Sustained the Montgomery Bus Boycott by Dee Romito 

Bring the power of storytelling to your elementary social studies classroom! This engaging webinar has been designed to center on the inspiring picture book Pies from Nowhere: How Georgia Gilmore Sustained the Montgomery Bus Boycott by Dee Romito.

Participants will discover practical strategies for using picture books, narratives, and primary sources to make social studies content meaningful and accessible for all learners.The session will highlight ways to connect social studies instruction with the NC Literacy Instruction Standards (LIS) and support disciplinary literacy and inquiry in social studies and across the curriculum.

Join us and leave with ready-to-use ideas and resources you can bring to your classroom to spark curiosity, strengthen literacy skills, and deepen students’ understanding of people, places, and historical events.

Don’t Miss Out! REGISTER NOW!

Target Classrooms:

• 3-5 Elementary Classrooms

• Grade 8 Classroom Activities Adaptable for Other Grades

Levels and Older Learners:

• American History

• Civic Literacy

NCCSS October 2026 PD Webinar (Pies From Nowhere).pdf

UNC World View: K-12 Global Education Symposium

Choices in Conflict: Loyalist, Patriot, Neither, Both Educator Workshop

Date: Friday, October 2, 2026
Time: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Location: Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

This free interactive workshop for North Carolina public or private school classroom educators of grades 4 through 12 explores themes of the American Revolution that continue to resonate today. Exploring the NC Museum of History's It’s Revolutionary! resources, workshop attendees will engage in several hands-on sessions led by museum educators and an expert teacher. Additionally, teachers will enjoy a guided tour of the Witnesses to Revolution: North Carolina and the War for Independence exhibit and an opportunity to talk with Pulitzer Prize–winning historian Dr. Kathleen DuVal.

Speaker bio: Kathleen DuVal is the Carl W. Ernst Distinguished Professor of History at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she specializes in early American and Native American history. She is the author of the Pulitzer Prize–winning Native Nations: A Millennium in North America. DuVal is a Guggenheim Fellow and has won the Bancroft Prize and the Cundill History Prize. She appeared in the recent Ken Burns film The American Revolution.

Stan Greenspon Holocaust Education Center: Day of Learning with Brandeis University President’s Initiative on Antisemitism

Friday, October 9th Durham, NC 9:00-3:30

Join school leaders, safety teams, and educators from public, private, and homeschool settings for an interactive day of professional learning. Participants will explore contemporary antisemitism, its historical roots, how it appears in schools, and practical strategies for responding effectively. Participants will earn CEUs through the Stan Greenspon Holocaust Education Center. Schools are encouraged to register teams, though individual registrations are welcome. This program is open exclusively to educators and school personnel. 

Event Flyer.pdf

Calling All Civic Literacy, U.S. History, 8th Grade Social Studies, APUSH, and GOPO Teachers!

Don't Miss Out! Register Now!

Carolina K-12 at UNC-Chapel Hill, Facing History & Ourselves, and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction invite North Carolina educators to participate in a day of inquiry, discussion, and professional learning exploring labor, civil rights, community, and solidarity.

During this workshop, participants will examine the history of the Delano Grape Strike and Boycott, as well as the strategies farmworkers used to build solidarity during the five-year movement. Participants will consider how workers fostered unity, developed community support, and used collective action to pursue change.

The program will also connect this national history to North Carolina through the story of Griggs v. Duke Power, the landmark employment discrimination case, expanding traditional narratives of the Civil Rights Movement to include struggles over labor and economic opportunity.

Special Guest Presenter: Valencia Abbott, Gilder Lehrman History Teacher of the Year, will help educators explore local history and the history of organizing for workers' rights:

Valencia Abbott is an award-winning history educator, researcher, and public historian whose work explores the connections among local history, civil rights, community, and civic action. With more than two decades in education, Abbott has built her career on helping students and communities see themselves as participants in history, not simply observers. Abbott’s research and public history work have focused particularly on the history of Black communities and their struggles for equality and justice. Eight years into her ongoing research on Griggs v. Duke Power, Abbott has used the case as a lens for examining the history of Black workers, educational inequality, and the struggle for equal opportunity.

Space is limited. Please complete the application below. Applicants will be notified of their participation by email.

PD Flyer - Delano Grape Strike_Oct 16 .png

Build a data science mindset in any classroom.

Data shapes how students learn, work, and make decisions across all disciplines. The 2026 NC Data Science Education Summit will help educators build the mindset and skills their students need to ask questions, interpret information, and solve problems with data.

Earn CEU credit while exploring hands-on, computers-off activities, CS30: Introduction to Data Science implementation, and practical strategies for any subject or grade level.

Educators may bring a limited number of students to participate fully in this interdisciplinary event. Student participants will receive a certificate recognizing their participation.

Attendees can:

• Earn CEU credit
• Explore classroom-ready resources
• Connect with educators and partners statewide
• Bring small groups of students and participate in a dedicated student track

Student groups must be arranged in advance by emailing Taryn Shelton at tshelto3@gmail.com.

Connect with K-12 Social Studies on Instagram and Facebook!

We’re excited to announce that the NCDPI K–12 Social Studies team now has NEW social media channels!  Follow us for the latest updates, professional learning opportunities, classroom resources, and stories highlighting the incredible work of educators and students across North Carolina.

Follow Us Here:

• Instagram: @NCDPI_Social_Studies
• Facebook: NCDPI Social Studies

Plus, stay connected with our Character Education initiatives:

• Instagram: @NCDPI_Character_Education
• Facebook: NCDPI Character Education

NCDPI K-12 Social Studies Hub Spotlight: Classroom Resources

Did you know the NCDPI K-12 Social Studies Hub includes collections of instructional resources organized to support specific courses and content areas?

Under the Hub's Resources section, educators can explore materials designed to support planning, content knowledge, and standards-based social studies instruction.

A few collections worth exploring include:

• World History Primary Sources - Discover curated primary sources that can help students investigate global history through historical evidence and multiple perspectives.
• American History Primary Sources - Explore primary source materials that support students in examining people, events, ideas, and developments throughout U.S. history.
• North Carolina State Adopted Textbooks - Access information and resources related to state-adopted instructional materials for social studies.
• 8th Grade Social Studies Resources - Find resources specifically selected to support North Carolina's 8th Grade Social Studies course and its focus on North Carolina and U.S. history.

Whether educators are looking for a primary source to strengthen tomorrow's lesson, resources for a particular course, or materials to support longer-term planning, the Resources section of the Hub is worth exploring and bookmarking.

Remembering September 11: Save for Later

September 11, 2026, marks the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. September 11 is also federally designated as Patriot Day in remembrance of those who lost their lives in the attacks and is recognized as a National Day of Service and Remembrance. As educators help a generation of students who were born long after the attacks understand this significant moment in U.S. and world history, primary sources, first-person accounts, historical context, and thoughtful inquiry can help students examine both the events of that day and their lasting impact.

The National September 11 Memorial & Museum invites students and educators to participate in its free 2026 9/11 Anniversary Digital Learning Experience. The program features a 35-minute film highlighting first-person accounts of the attacks and their aftermath, along with opportunities to connect with Museum educators through a live chat on September 11. Educators may preview the program beginning September 1, and grade-level viewing guides and supporting instructional resources are available. Accessible versions include captions, ASL interpretation, audio description, Spanish subtitles, and transcripts.

Educators may also explore the resources below to support age-appropriate instruction, inquiry, commemoration, and examination of the historical significance and continuing legacy of September 11.

Additional 9/11 Resources

• National September 11 Memorial & Museum: 2026 Anniversary Digital Learning Experience
• National September 11 Memorial & Museum: Lesson Plans, First-Person Stories, Oral Histories, and Interactive Timelines
• 9/11 Memorial & Museum: September 11, 2001: The Day That Changed the World 
• September 11 Digital Archive: includes first-hand stories, artwork, audio, videos, emails, images
• National Archives: Remembering 9/11
• National Archives: Opening the Vault: Remembering 9/11 25th Anniversary Virtual Exhibit
• Library of Congress: September 11, 2001 Documentary Project
• Library of Congress: September 11, 2001 Web Archive
• Library of Congress: Teaching About September 11 Using Primary Sources from Library of Congress
• PBS NewsHour Classroom: September 11 Teaching Resources
• PBS NewsHour Classroom: 9/11 — Ways to Reflect on the Day's Legacy

Educator Note: September 11 resources may contain emotionally difficult images, audio, or first-person accounts. Educators are encouraged to preview materials and select resources appropriate for the age, developmental needs, and experiences of their students.

Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month

September 15 - October 15

Each year, National Hispanic Heritage Month provides an opportunity to recognize and explore the histories, cultures, experiences, and contributions of Hispanic and Latine Americans to the United States.

The observance began in 1968 as National Hispanic Heritage Week, and Congress expanded it to a month in 1988 through legislation signed by President Reagan. For social studies classrooms, Hispanic Heritage Month offers opportunities to examine the diverse experiences of Hispanic and Latine Americans through primary sources, historical inquiry, geography, civics, economics, arts and culture, and stories of individuals and communities that have helped shape the United States.

Educators can explore the federal National Hispanic Heritage Month portal and the resources below for classroom materials, primary sources, exhibits, and learning activities.

Featured Resources for Educators

• National Hispanic Heritage Month - Resources for Teachers- The federal portal brings together educational materials from the Library of Congress, National Archives, Smithsonian, National Endowment for the Humanities, and other federal cultural institutions. It includes primary sources, lesson materials, Spanish-language activities, and teacher guides. 
• Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino - Hispanic Heritage Month Resources - It includes educational resources, bilingual materials, stories of Latino achievement, military history, and resources designed for educators, students, families, and caregivers.
• Smithsonian - ¡Presente! A Latino History of the United States - Students can explore themes in U.S. Latino/ history through an online exhibition, interactive map, and 360° virtual experience.
• Smithsonian Social Studies Online: Hispanic Heritage Month - This Smithsonian Learning Lab collection was specifically developed around social studies and includes resources for elementary, middle, and high school learners.
• Library of Congress - Mexican American Migrations and Communities Primary Source Set - A ready-to-use primary-source collection examining Mexican American experiences, migration, communities, institutions, culture, and historical records. It includes a teacher's guide and primary-source analysis supports.
• National Archives - Hispanic Heritage Month - Features records and educational resources related to Hispanic and Latino history, including materials connected to Puerto Rico, arts and culture, and other topics.
• EDSITEment - Hispanic and Latino Heritage and History in the United States - The NEH guide includes K-12 lessons, historical context, primary sources, and inquiry questions addressing Latino and Latin American history and connections to U.S. history.

Additionally, the Smithsonian's Bilingual Materials from the National Museum of the American Latino are particularly useful for accessibility and multilingual learners. They include background information, vocabulary, activities, and additional resources across social studies, history, arts, and other subject areas, with materials appropriate from elementary through high school.

Save for Later: Constitution Day
Resources to Support Civic Learning

Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, observed annually on September 17, provide an opportunity for schools to celebrate the United States Constitution while engaging students in meaningful learning about the principles of American government and civic participation. In accordance with Section 111 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2005, educational institutions receiving federal funds are required to provide an educational program about the U.S. Constitution for students on or around September 17 each year.

The NC K–12 Social Studies Hub offers a variety of resources and professional learning opportunities to help educators plan engaging Constitution Day experiences, including professional learning, instructional resources, and classroom-ready materials. Featured resources include:

• Constitution Day Resource Collection with instructional ideas and classroom supports
• American History Webinar Series, featuring sessions that deepen educators' understanding of key constitutional principles and pivotal moments in U.S. history
• Integrating Inquiry Skills & Indicators, providing practical strategies for engaging students in questioning, evidence analysis, and informed civic discussion
• Primary Source instructional resources that help students analyze the Constitution and related historical documents using disciplinary literacy practices

Educators may also wish to incorporate activities such as public readings of the Constitution, mock constitutional conventions, panel discussions, guest speakers, primary source investigations, or civic simulations that encourage students to explore the Constitution's enduring influence on American democracy.

Additional Constitution Day resources offering lesson plans, historical documents, multimedia resources, and interactive activities for learners of all ages are available from the:

• U.S. Department of Education,
• National Constitution Center,
• National Archives,
• Library of Congress,
• Congress,
• Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, and the
• Federal Judiciary
• Bill of Rights Institute

Since 2026 is the year we celebrate America's 250th anniversary, Constitution Day provides an especially meaningful opportunity to help students examine the founding principles of the United States while strengthening their civic knowledge, historical thinking, and constitutional literacy.

Introducing the North Carolina Arts Council's Arts Learning Hub

The North Carolina Arts Council’s arts learning team is excited to introduce a central hub to connect educators with arts learning opportunities, resources, and services available across the state. Using the hub, schools can access such established programs as A+ Schools of North Carolina and Poetry Out Loud alongside new offerings, such as the NCAC roster of teaching artists. All the offerings are designed to support educators, strengthen arts experiences for students, and expand access to creative learning opportunities in North Carolina schools.

Explore the offerings and resources available through the new arts learning hub:

Bring a teaching artist to your school

Our new teaching artist program connects schools with accomplished artist-educators who provide meaningful, arts experiences that inspire creativity, connection, and learning. In its inaugural year, the NCAC is pleased to offer these teaching artist engagements at no cost to participating schools. Requests for the 2026–27 school year will be accepted August 3–September 15, 2026. Learn more and meet the 2026 cohort of teaching artists.

A+ Schools of North Carolina

A signature program of the NCAC, A+ Schools works with schools to develop and sustain a campus-wide approach to creative learning. Participating A+ schools center the arts as the foundation for collaboration, innovation, and meaningful student engagement across the curriculum.

Interested in becoming an A+ School? Contact A+ Schools Network Director Tom Nevels attom.nevels@dncr.nc.gov.

United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) Application Available!

The United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) has begun its statewide application process in North Carolina. Information and applications may be found at 2026 United States Senate Youth Program. The United States Senate Youth Program is a civic engagement and education program that provides an educational opportunity for juniors and seniors interested in pursuing college coursework in history, political science, or public service.

Two students will be selected as delegates and will win a $12,500 scholarship. The delegates will also attend a mandatory week-long education program in Washington, D.C. in March.

• North Carolina applications opened August 1 and will be accessible until October 4, 2026.
• The deadline for submission is 11:59 p.m. Sunday, October 4, 2026.

Congratulations to North Carolina's
2026 Gilder Lehrman History Teacher of the Year, Tracey Barrett! 

Each year, the Gilder Lehrman Institute seeks out the finest history teachers in the United States to acknowledge the important work they do. Since 2004, they have recognized 1,000+ outstanding elementary, middle, and high school teachers in each of the fifty states, the District of Columbia, Department of Defense schools, and U.S. territories.

Congratulations to Tracey Barrett of Asheville High School on being named the 2026 Gilder Lehrman History Teacher of the Yearfor North Carolina.

A 13-year public school educator, Tracey teaches U.S. History, Civics, and AP African American Studies at her alma mater, Asheville High School. She is recognized for creating engaging, student-centered learning experiences that encourage historical inquiry and thoughtful discussion. Her instructional resources have been featured by the New York Times Education Network and the Ida B. Wells Education Project, and she is the co-author of the forthcoming book Teaching in Divided Times: Skills to Help Students Think Through Controversies, scheduled for publication by Routledge.

As North Carolina's History Teacher of the Year, Tracey will receive a $1,000 honorarium, a curated collection of American history books and educational materials from the Gilder Lehrman Institute, and recognition at a local awards ceremony. She will also represent North Carolina as one of 53 finalists for the 2026 National History Teacher of the Year Award.

Please join us in congratulating Tracey Barrett on this well-deserved recognition and thanking her for her dedication to history education and North Carolina's students.

Holocaust Education Field Trip Opportunity!

On September 30th, the Stan Greenspon Holocaust Education Center will be hosting Merril Eisenhower at the Knight Theatre for an educational program from 12-1:30 pm. Drawing upon his family's stewardship of President Eisenhower's legacy and his extraordinary access to the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum, Merrill Eisenhower will offer unique insights into the moment General Eisenhower witnessed the horrors of the Nazi concentration camps—and why he believed preserving evidence of the Holocaust was a moral imperative for future generations. 

Though this may be too short notice to organize a field trip and to secure bus funding, the Stan Greenspon Holocaust Education Center hopes at least some of you can make it. If you are interested, please respond and inform them of the approximate number of students/chaperones you'd like to bring. The program will take place in a similar capacity, with a focus on introducing the museum concept that evening as well, and you are all invited!

 More information will be posted soon. Tickets for this historic event will go on sale August 18 at Blumenthal Arts. A variety of ticket options will be available, including a VIP experience featuring an exclusive pre-event reception with the speaker, light hors d'oeuvres, and the opportunity to meet Merrill Eisenhower personally.