NCSC's Civics Education Essay Contest
The National Center for State Courts (NCSC) wanted to share some exciting news about an educational, rewarding opportunity for students. NCSC is giving 3rd-12th graders a chance to express their opinion about which U.S. Constitutional Amendment they believe has made the biggest impact in American’s lives.
Our official essay question: Which Amendment to the U.S. Constitution has made the biggest difference in people’s lives? Explain how and why.
What’s in it for students? We’re giving away a total of $3,000 in cash to the winners. Essays are due February 25, 2022. More details about contest guidelines, prizes and how to enter are available at www.ncsc.org/contest.
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2022 Virtual NYS Camp Announcement
Our high school students often do not have many opportunities to participate in rich science/STEM experiences. The National Youth Science Camp offers that opportunity and for this year, it is virtual on Zoom due to Covid restrictions and concerns. Last year, our students reported that the virtual experience was as valuable to them as they could have imagined even if they had been in person.
Please share this announcement with your Tribal colleagues, educator networks, and school administrators.
Application deadline: March 31 | See the flyer for more information.
Please note that there are specific requirements that students must meet in order to apply.
Join the Nationwide Project Elevate Civics!
Would you like to know how big a difference your teaching makes for your students? Want to help out a PhD student?
Participating teachers will:
- Teach the provided lessons
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Record classes (using Zoom/Google Meet or a recorder we will mail to you)
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Administer short questionnaires to your students embedded in the lessons
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Communicate with our research team
You will get:
- A $150 Amazon gift card
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10 expert designed lesson plans
- An assessment of your students’ learning
- Access to a vetted civic education resource repository
Check out our website for more information.
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On January 1st, the Bill of Rights Institute launched a national civics contest called MyImpact Challenge. This contest is for students and teachers who are making an impact with citizenship projects in their communities. The contest will award $40,000 in total prizes, including a $10,000 student grand prize and teacher prizes! Applications must be submitted by May 16th, 2022.
Submission is open to US citizens and US based young people between the ages of 13 and 19 years old.
Download this poster to share the contest in your classroom or community!
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.
The OSPI Social Studies Program is accepting applications for practicing educators to serve on OSPI's Statewide Social Studies Cadre. Each Cadre position is scheduled on a three-year term cycle.
The OSPI Statewide Social Studies Cadre, established in 2010, consists of approximately 30-36 educators who have both experience and expertise in social studies education. Cadre members review and revise statewide social studies resources and materials, as well as deliver workshops at statewide conferences and local or regional trainings for teachers that specifically target:
1) Washington State K–12 Social Studies Learning Standards and connections across learning standards in other subjects (e.g., ELA and Literacy, Science, Arts, Health, Fitness, Educational Technology); 2) OSPI-developed Assessments (CBAs); and 3) Connections between social studies instruction and other content areas.
Interested applicants must complete the online application by January 17 to be considered for the Cadre. Applicants must also arrange for their building-level supervisor to complete and submit an online Recommendation Survey, which the supervisor receives by email. Supervisor recommendation surveys are due January 31. See the announcement for more details.
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Celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day!
Each year, we honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of America's most pre-eminent nonviolent leaders in world history. This important recognition holiday is celebrated the third Monday in January - this year falling on the 17th. Discover valuable resources about this important icon in history.
Image by Tumisu from Pixabay
Teaching The Anniversary of the U.S. Capitol Insurrection
"On Wednesday, January 6, 2021, the United States witnessed a devastating moment which tore at the very fabric binding our nation together. That fabric is the result of values and ideals that have been shaped and retested many times over the past few centuries—sometimes peacefully, sometimes through brutal conflict, and often with still more issues left unresolved. The words of our founding documents have been debated and expanded upon many times, yet our biggest strength as a nation is our ability to engage in civic discourse peacefully, and to transition power based on the consent of the people. That fabric begins to be woven in our K-12 social studies classrooms right when our youngest learners walk through the door on their first day in school. It continues to be nurtured to what we all aspire to be a lifetime commitment to engage in civic life." -- NCSS Responds to Assault on Democracy, Thursday, January 7, 2021.
NCSS has compiled an evergreen list of resources to help educators teach the anniversary of the U.S. Capitol Insurrection.
New! Stages of Genocide: A Toolkit for Educators
Studying genocide is a critical part of a student’s understanding of both history and of current events.
The Stages of Genocide Toolkit is designed to help teachers cover the topic in a meaningful and incisive way. Using the “Ten Stages of Genocide” framework provides an opportunity to explore multiple instances of mass atrocity. The toolkit also highlights the connection between genocide and human rights. Finally, this resource encourages reflection and discussion of personal and institutional actions and responsibility, connecting these historical events to current events and to students’ lives.
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Transform How U.S. History and Civics Are Taught in Your District
Apply for a fellowship that will support six teachers in your district to localize a middle school U.S. history curriculum aligned to the Educating for American Democracy Roadmap.
There is no cost for your district to participate. If your district is selected, you’ll be asked to recruit six teacher fellows. Read the overview for more details.
Apply by Friday, January 28, 2022
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Religion in the Schools and the First Amendment
Spotlight on Civic Learning in Washington
Here’s the latest blog, this time with a spotlight on religion in schools and the First Amendment.
This blog, done in partnership with the Law Library, spotlights and links to lesson plans which judges will deliver in classrooms. This piece looks at Religion in the Schools, and links to the lesson plan which explores specifics of The Equal Access Act through role plays and discussion.
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Western States Civics Coalition PD
Civic Learning Series Workshops Coming Soon!
Now, more than ever, a strong civic education is vital for students in the United States. Teachers are the key to providing students with the necessary knowledge and skills for sustaining our democracy.
This series of workshops provides educators with a strong foundation of Civic Education centering on the EAD Roadmap (Educating for American Democracy) and the 6 Promising Practices of Civics Education, which supports high quality civics education for grades Kindergarten through 12.
One free clock hour! These workshops are presented by the Western States Civics Coalition consisting of state Social Studies leaders and councils in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington.
Session #1 in the series takes place: January 27 | 3:30-4:30 pm PST
Mark your calendar and watch here for more information.
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