 I can't believe it's June! As we do every June, OSPI Social Studies wishes to thank all of our educators for your steadfast dedication to both Social Studies education and your steadfast commitment to bettering the lives of our students and their families.
While you are on a much needed break to rest and recharge know that OSPI Social Studies will continue our work to build equitable systems of support for districts, educators, students, and communities across Washington State. Among our upcoming projects are continued revision of Civics Classroom Based Assessments (CBAs), publishing the grade 7-12 African American Studies Framework, and building professional development opportunities with community partners to support quality Social Studies instruction.
With gratitude,
Jerry Price
OSPI Associate Director of Social Studies Content
Image from Pixabay
Celebrate Pride Month With These Teaching Resources
This resource page is designed to provide educators with LGBTQ+ information, tools, and resources they need to support transgender and non-binary students, to be more inclusive of LGBTQ+ history in their classrooms, and to stop LGBTQ+ bias and intolerance in our public schools.
GLSEN’s education team has created educator guides for each of our days of action, along with other resources for increasing LGBTQ visibility and affirmation in any curriculum. While GLSEN celebrates these days of action nationally at specific times during the year, all of our lessons, resources, and activities found here can be implemented at any time.
Image from Pixabay
|
Resources for Learning & Teaching on Juneteenth
On July 25, 2021, the Washington Legislature declared Juneteenth a legal holiday, amending RCW 1.16.050.
"On June 19, 1865, about two months after the Confederate general Robert E. Lee surrendered at Appomattox, Va., Gordon Granger, a Union general, arrived in Galveston, Texas, to inform enslaved African Americans of their freedom and that the Civil War had ended. General Granger’s announcement put into effect the Emancipation Proclamation, which had been issued nearly two and a half years earlier, on Jan. 1, 1863, by President Abraham Lincoln."
"The holiday is also called “Juneteenth Independence Day,” “Freedom Day” or “Emancipation Day.'" (New York Times, May 1, 2023)
Here are some resources we have gathered to support educators in teaching about Juneteenth.
Image from Pixabay
|
NCSS Seeks Comments on Proposed Definition of Social Studies
In Fall 2022, the NCSS Board of Directors authorized a task force to "examine the current NCSS definition of social studies, determine if the definition needs to be revised, and, if yes, construct a revised definition of social studies to be considered by the NCSS Board of Directors."
In Winter 2022, all NCSS Affiliated Councils, Associated Groups, and Special Interest Communities were invited to nominate individuals to serve on the Definition of Social Studies Task Force. All nominees to this task force were invited to take part.
To review the proposed language and provide comment please visit the NCSS Website here.
|
Opportunity for Student Participation from the WA Department of Health
The Healthy Youth Survey Planning Committee is looking for student volunteers to participate in focus groups about the survey. The project will involve around 3-5 groups of about 5-10 teens participating in some user testing of our new online survey platform for the Healthy Youth Survey.
The Healthy Youth Survey is a survey given in public schools to students in grades 6, 8, 10 and 12. Teens who participate will be given a $25 gift card for their time. Participation is voluntary and they don’t have to answer any question they don’t want to, and they can stop at any time.
If you are interested in participating or if you have a teen you think might be interested, please reach out to Hannah Gorman at hannah.gorman@doh.wa.gov at the Washington State Department of Health. Parents/guardians will be notified of their student’s participation and given an opportunity to opt them out before the testing occurs, and teens will provide their assent at the beginning of the testing.
|
Opportunity for Student Participation from the WA Office of Attorney General
The state Office of Attorney General is seeking looking for youth volunteers to participate in an on-line survey. Washington State is working to create a youth safety and well-being line available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to address a spectrum of youth safety & well-being concerns and connect youth with appropriate resources. This survey will dive deeper into the name itself and help us understand what will appeal to youth.
This survey will take about 10 minutes to complete. This survey will run through June 9, 2023. Youth will be eligible for a $20 gift card if they complete the survey. You’re welcome to refer them to the Youth Program team inbox for any questions: youth program@atg.wa.gov The following is attached: Social media ad image. Please use this images if you would like to share the survey on your organization’s social media account. .
To link directly to the survey in your communications, the link is: https://thevidaagency.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4HPBS4lXIXFgHqu We appreciate you taking time to share this! Apologies for any duplicates of this request.
|
Join Us for the Washington SEL Network Exchange
You are invited to the Washington SEL Network Exchange hosted by the Washington SEL Professional Learning Network!
This exciting in-person event brings together educators from across Washington State to share valuable insights, exchange resources, and discuss future directions and sustainability of SEL implementation. The event will include activities and presentations by the American Institutes for Research (AIR), Education Northwest, SEL Advisory Committee members, Demonstration Site participants, and OSPI partners.
We encourage you to bring a small team (2-4 people) if possible, as there will also be intentional time for educators to collaborate within and across their local education agencies (LEAs) to continue to build the conditions, supports, and community partnerships that allow students to develop and apply social emotional skills.
Event: Washington SEL Network Exchange
Location: Highline Community College, 2400 S 240th St., Des Moines, WA 98198
Date: June 27, 2023, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Registration: Click here.
Notes: Venue parking, attendance, clock hours, and lunch are FREE!
Please note that space is limited for this event, with priority given to those who have attended previous SEL Professional Learning Network events and/or are registering as an LEA team. Please ensure each member of your team registers so we can account for seating and lunch. By completing the registration, you're expressing your interest in attending. We will confirm your registration status by May 27th to allow you time to make travel arrangements.
|
Recorded Scholar Exchanges
Did you miss a session from this school year? Do you want to revisit a previous class or hear from a past guest scholar?
You can watch classes on demand, including the sessions with guest scholars. Revisit topics like principles of the American revolution, voting rights amendments, and the civil rights movement by exploring our Recorded Classes page.
Do you have a specific topic in mind? Check out our In the Classroom page, which organizes our content by constitutional article, amendment, and topic. Find al of our lesson plans, blog posts, videos, and educational materials about your chosen topic on each module page.
|
“Since Time Immemorial (STI)” Tribal Sovereignty Curriculum Introductory Training Webinars
In an effort to support continuous student and educator learning and implementation of the Since Time Immemorial (STI) Tribal Sovereignty Curriculum and respond to requests for additional trainings, the Office of Native Education will be offering two STI introductory training webinars prior to the end of this school year.
Read the flyer here. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Joan Banker at joan.banker@k12.wa.us or (360) 725-6160.
|
Civic Education Grants Sponsored by the Washington Civic Learning Council
The Civic Education Grant provides financial support to educators and students participating in high-quality civic education programs at the national, state, tribal and/or local government level.
Grants range from $250 to $1,000 | Apply here
|
Washington Educator Recognized by National Geographic
Congratulations to Aidé Villalobos, a dual language teacher for the Shelton School District, for her selection as a National Geographic 2023 Grosvenor Teacher Fellow!
Fellows take on a two-year leadership commitment, serving as program ambassadors, fostering connections and collaboration with other educators in the National Geographic community and beyond. Learn more about the honor here: http://ow.ly/a96j50Ool1S
|
Stories from the field
The fourth grade students at Emerald Hills Elementary learned about the Mt. Rainier watershed using the Since Time Immemorial Curriculum, One with the Watershed, and the National Park information.
The local news stations were sharing the event that took place at the Electron Dam on the Nisqually River, The contractors at the dam used artificial turf in their construction project which ended up falling apart and polluting the river with toxic rubber pellets. The rubber was an environmental hazard for the salmon in the river. The Puyallup Tribe sued the owner of the dam, Tollhouse, for damages for the environmental clean up that needed to be done.
The students wrote letters to the Puyallup Tribe in support of the lawsuit and some also wanted the dam removed. Several years later now, the Puyallup Tribe has recently received money for the environmental clean up.
This was a powerful unit of study as the students were involved in understanding the civics of the stakeholders, the environmental issues, the salmon, and Electron Dam is in our neighborhood and watershed.
Students are powerful writers when they feel connected to the topic. (Submitted by Nancy Lenihan, Educator in Sumner School District and WSCSS President)
Image courtesy of Library of Congress
|
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.
SHEG Professional Development
Intro to Reading Like a Historian & Beyond the Bubble Assessments June 27-29 | July 31-August 2 New to Reading Like a Historian lessons and Beyond the Bubble history assessments?
Join us for an introductory institute on June 27-29 or July 31-August 2 to learn instructional strategies for teaching with our free classroom-ready resources. ,
Register here.
Civic Online Reasoning: Sorting Fact from Fiction on the Internet July 25-27 Want to teach students how to judge fact from fiction online? Join us for a Civic Online Reasoning institute to explore how fact checkers evaluate digital information and how you can use the Civic Online Reasoning curriculum to teach students these skills.
Register here.
|
PD and Clock Hours from the Media Literacy Institute!
The Media Literacy Institute, Institute sponsored by ConnectEd at the UW, will be held online this summer, July 31-August 4th. Given the success of last year's Institute, Tessa Jolls, Director of the Center for Media Literacy and her team from the Center were asked to make this course offering available again this year. Participants will be able to receive 16 clock hours.
Below is a PDF with a live link as well as a PNG file. The full link is: https://education.uw.edu/programs/courses/media-literacy-institute-2023
|
Don't Miss the Fifteenth Annual Judicial Institute for Teachers Grades 5-12!
The US Court and Seattle University School of Law offer this exciting opportunity to teachers in grades 5-12 in Western Washington at no cost. 23 FREE Clock Hours!
July 25-27 | 8 am - 5 pm, each day | In-person (Seattle) | Learn more & Register
This institute is for Washington teachers in grades 5-12 who did not participate in a prior Judicial Institute.
|
Legislative Scholars Program
In-depth, Interactive Civic Education PD for all K-12 Educators
Learn about the legislative process and explore civic education resources. Hear directly from policy makers and leaders in state government. Connect with Supreme Court Justices to learn about Washington Courts. Develop lesson plans and classroom activities for students of all ages. Earn 20+ clock hours free of charge.
July 18-21 | Virtual | Learn more and register
Contact Civic.Ed@leg.wa.gov with questions and for more information.
|
|
