Universal Human Rights Month is a time for people in the U.S. and around the globe to unite and stand up for the rights and dignity of all individuals. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was adopted in 1948 by the United Nations General Assembly in Paris on December 10th and is translated into over 500 languages!
In an essay of one thousand words or less, students will be prompted to choose a specific context to describe the origins or causes of a crisis that resulted in people becoming refugees, its impact, and what they would recommend as a course of action to address it. Learn more about World Affairs Council's Annual Essay Contest for Students.
Open to all WA Students grades 3-12 | Deadline: March 20, 2022
Euro Challenge: Educational Competition for High School Students
EU Challenge with UW Global Classroom and European Union
Similar in concept to the Model UN, Euro Challenge is an exciting educational competition for high school students that provides the opportunity to learn about the European Union and the euro. Students in 9th and 10th grades at all schools are eligible, and students in 9th-12th grades at Title I schools are eligible. Visit the website for more information.
Euro Challenge Northwest Orientation: December 7, at 4:00pm PST
Welcome to Innovative History, a podcast that explores new directions in historical research and storytelling. Innovative History is hosted by Fulton Bryant-Anderson and Mike Halvorson, two historians at Pacific Lutheran University. Together, the team investigates the most creative approaches to teaching and learning history, including using video games to study the past, musicians as agents of historical change, and the impact of new technologies on research.
Do you have a good story to share?
OSPI is seeking stories that recognize Social Studies educators doing good work in grades K-12. We encourage administrators and educators to submit stories of districts, schools, classrooms, or community organizations promoting Social Studies. Send your story to SocialStudies@k12.wa.us.
Thanks to House Bill 1365, Washington State schools, districts, and ESDs can apply for competitive grants that will support integrating Media Literacy, Digital Citizenship, or Synthetic Media (aka deepfakes) curriculum into classes. For more information visit this OSPI page or email the Media Literacy & Digital Citizenship Program Supervisor, Lesley James, lesley.james@k12.wa.us.
Seattle Times Publishes History of Washington's Unheralded Black Pioneer, George Bush
George Bush, Washington’s unheralded Black pioneer, honored at state Capitol and beyond
Image: Rep. Debra Entenman speaks at the unveiling of a monument to George Bush last week at the state Capitol in Olympia. (David Gutman / The Seattle Times)
OLYMPIA — Growing up in Tumwater, a half century ago, Mark and Kathleen Clark knew nothing of George Bush. They weren’t taught about him in public school. They wouldn’t learn about Bush — a Black pioneer who fled violent discrimination in Missouri and Oregon before establishing the first non-Indigenous American settlement in what would become Washington state — until well into adulthood.
But, even as America continues to grapple with racism that traverses its history like a through line; even as battles over school curriculums have taken on a renewed urgency, things do change.
Washington unveiled a monument to Bush last week at the state Capitol in Olympia, the first monument on the Capitol Campus dedicated specifically to a Black person. Read more from the Seattle Times.
Looking for a lesson plan, a general overview of Washington State history, or ways to teach with objects? We've got it, and we'll be adding more.
In Curriculum - Washington State Historical Society, you will find the stories of Washington and its connections to the world. Offerings range from complete curriculum units to individual lesson plans and student activities. Our units provide both background materials on specific historical subjects and standards-based projects and assessments.
Separation of Powers — Who Decides What, and How?
Here’s the latest blog, this time with a spotlight on the Judges in the Classroom lesson plan on Separation of Powers.
This blog spotlights and links to lesson plans which judges will deliver in classrooms. This piece looks at separation of powers and legislative intent, and links to the lesson plan which explores legislative intent by examining a confusing local ordinance.
Heritage Language Program Offered to Students
The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) Migrant/Bilingual Department has awarded a first-time Heritage Language Program Grant to Wenatchee Public Schools in Wenatchee, WA, to offer a year-long remote-learning program for Heritage Language speakers of Romanian, Russian, and Spanish. Learn more about this opportunity.
Tribal Sovereignty Curriculum Introductory Training Webinars Offered Fall 2021
In an effort to support continuous student and educator learning and implementation of the “Since Time Immemorial” (STI) Tribal Sovereignty Curriculum, the Office of Native Education is offering online introductory training webinars once a month now through December 9. Learn more and Save the Date!
Join HCH for Continuing Holocaust Education
Winter Series: Lunch-and-Learn Programs
1st & 3rd Tuesdays of every month, November 2021-February 2022
Tuesday Lunch-and-Learn Series is where you can hear personal accounts from children and grandchildren of Holocaust survivors, notable speakers on timely issues, and historical experts.
These programs aim to present perspectives and voices that challenge and inspire people to confront bigotry, racism, and indifference, and to consider how their actions make a difference. Learn more at HCH.
Get Ready for 2022 Judicial Institute
The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington in collaboration with the Seattle University School of Law is offering teachers in grades 5-12 a unique opportunity to learn about the U.S. Constitution, federal judiciary, civil rights, federal-state courts, and federal criminal law. The institute is highly interactive and will take place at the US District Court.*
*If COVID forces an online version, the dates are July 5-9, 2022
ALL STUDENTS PREPARED FOR POST-SECONDARY PATHWAYS, CAREERS, AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT.
Led by State Superintendent Chris Reykdal, OSPI oversees K-12 public education in Washington state. Our mission is to provide funding, resources, tools, data and technical assistance that enable educators to ensure students succeed in our public schools, are prepared to access post-secondary training and education, and are equipped to thrive in their careers and lives.