July 2020

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Header: OK Social Studies

July 2020


July Professional Development Opportunities

  • Join other social studies educators in our monthly meet-ups the first Tuesday of every month at 4:00 p.m. The next meeting will be on July 7, 2020 with special guest Karen Leonard from the OSDE dicussing Pear Deck. This meeting is a recurring meeting so this Zoom link will work for all meetings. The password is 981251. Our August meeting will be on August 4 at 4:00 p.m. and our special topic will be Action Civics.
  • Geography teachers are invited to join the OSDE, the Oklahoma Alliance for Geographic Education, and teachers around the state for a Geography Virtual Meeting on July 14, 2020 at 4:00 p.m. The meet-up is geared for teachers of grades 4-12. Join OKAGE presenter Dr. Gary Gress to discuss teaching the concept of regions.  Join the meeting by using this Zoom link and the password is 259475.
  • Join us for Engage OK in the Cloud July 15-17, 2020. Join other social studies teachers for the following sessions:
    • Teaching the Tulsa Race Massacre in High School - July 15, 2020 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Description - Explore resources and lessons for teaching one of Oklahoma's most historically significant events - the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.
    • Social Studies Framework: Comprehensive Standards-Aligned Resources - July 17, 2020, 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Description - Oklahoma teachers have developed guidance and resources to help you learn about the new social studies standards, including instructional resources and ideas to help engage your students.
    • Register here
  • The Summer Social Studies Conference, "Overcoming Tragedy Through Triumph" is scheduled for July 28, 2020 and will be virtual this year. Critical thinking, developing curiosity, problem solving, and practial application are cornerstones in social studies education. There is so much to discuss with our students especially considering the current climate of events and upcoming historical anniversaries. The day will start with a vibrant discussion focusing on the Oklahoma City Bombing and its impact in our state. Dr. Karlos Hill will serve as the keynote speaker on the Tulsa Race Massacre as our state prepares for the centennial.  Breakout sessions in geography, history, economics, and civics will provide teachers with ready to go tools for the new school year ahead. Registration is free register here.
  • The Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) is offering technology education training sessions that will occur each Tuesday at 12:00 p.m. These sessions will also be recorded and housed on the OSDE Ed Tech page.

    July 7: FlipGrid

    July 14: Kahoot

    July 21: Screencastify

    July 28: EduPuzzle

    August 4: Seesaw

    Registration for these learning opportunities is on the Ed Tech page.


OKC National Memorial and Museum: History is Relevant Workshop

History is Relevant: Looking Back - Thinking Forward, Thursday, July 23 from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm.  (In person- socially distancing- participants limited) Twenty-five years have passed since the Oklahoma City bombing on April 19,1995. Learn creative ways to teach about this important event from classroom teachers and see the Memorial's virtually-accessible resources.  Participants will also be challenged to unite students in a time of division and isolation by engaging in Better Conversations. From an expert facilitator, refresh and learn the skills needed to lead respectful and civil discussions in your classroom. Park for free in the new Memorial Parking Garage at 231 NW 6th Street at the corner of 6th and Harvey Avenue. Click here for directions.                  *The workshop is free and open to middle and high school teachers.  Space is limited - Register here* 


OKC National Memorial and Museum: Free Teacher Days

OKC National Memorial and Museum Logo

Teacher Free Days!  Ready to get out and tour some sites this summer? If so, be sure to make the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum your top destination to visit. During your visit, be sure to drop by the Uncover-Discover STEM Lab between 10 and 11 a.m. or 1 and 2 p.m. to see a demo of the Forensics and Structures & Waves lessons. Just pick a time on July 7 or August 4 and enter the code teacher2020 for you and a friend to visit the Memorial Museum for free! You will have to show your school ID when you check in at the front desk.  Park for Free in the new Memorial Parking Garage at 231 NW 6th Street at the corner of 6th and Harvey Avenue.  Click here for directions.  Reserve your ticket here.


Back to School Bash

Back to School Bash is an annual resource fair that brings together organizations that offer resources for educators to learn and plan for the upcoming school year. Educators will have the opportunity to easily explore resources available for their students locally and throughout the state.

This year, it will be a virtual event. By completing registration, your name will be entered to win one of many door prizes graciously donated by the participating organizatins. 

Facebook Live Door Prize Giveaway August 6th - 4:00 p.m. 

Register here: https://www.okhistory.org/calendar/event/back-to-school-bash-4/


Talking About Race from the National Museum of African American History and Culture

National Museum of African American History and Culture Logo

Talking about race, although hard, is necessary. The National Museum of African History and Culture provides tools and resources for PK-12 educators as they learn about and discuss the history of race in America. Click here for resources.


Introducing the Oklahoma Social Studies Curriculum Framework

The Oklahoma State Department of Education is excited to announce the publication of the new Oklahoma Curriculum Framework for Social Studies.

With the adoption of the Oklahoma Academic Standards for Social Studies (OAS-SS) in spring of 2019, it has been the priority of the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) to ensure all Oklahoma educators are provided with the opportunity to deeply understand the intent of the standards, while supporting educators with resources that support implementation of those standards. The Oklahoma Curriculum Frameworks were developed by Oklahoma educators for Oklahoma educators to meet these goals.

The curriculum frameworks provide a detailed breakdown of the intent of each of the objectives in the Oklahoma Academic Standards for Social Studies as well as examples of what teachers may do to support students with those objectives and what students may be doing if they are achieving those objectives. The curriculum frameworks also identify key concepts and common misunderstandings associated with each objective and provide sample lesson ideas and inquiry-based tasks, accompanied by correlating primary and secondary instructional resources to support ambitious teaching and learning in the social studies classroom.


United States Senate Youth Program

U.S. Senate Youth Program Logo

Due to the many uncertainties posed by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, The Hearst Foundations’ planning for the United States Senate Youth Program Washington Week 2021 is currently on hold and applications nationwide are NOT being accepted at this time. Please check for updates here that we will post as soon as we have heard from the USSYP with additional information.