FRIDAY, MARCH 23 - SPECIAL SESSIONS

Morning Keynote Address (9:00 – 9:45)

Larry Paska - The NYSED Regents Reform Agenda and its Implications for Social Studies

An update on P-12 social studies education in New York State, and the focus of the Regents Reform Agenda to ensure that all students graduate from high school ready for college and careers. An overview of the Common Core State Standards and their implementation in New York will be shared.

Midday Presentation (1:00 – 2:00)

Larry Paska - The State of Social Studies in New York

A focused conversation with Larry Paska, coordinator of NYSED's Office of Curriculum and Instruction, Larry will go deeper into the role of P-12 social studies education in the Regents Reform Agenda from his morning keynote presentation, including updates on several key Department initiatives.

SATURDAY, MARCH 24 - SPECIAL SESSIONS

Midday Presentation (1:00 – 1:30)

Regent James Dawson - Update from a Regent

Regent Dawson chairs the Regents Subcommittee on Standards that reviewed the Common Core in Mathematics and English Language Arts to the Board of Regents. In the future, Regent Dawson and his committee will review the Common Core in Science and Social Studies. Regent Dawson will take questions after his talk.

FRIDAY, MARCH 23 – PRESENTATION LISTING

Session 1 - 10:00-11:00

A 21st Century Skills-Based Model for Integrated Global History and English

We will discuss an interdisciplinary Global History and English class, sharing several of our class’s projects. We will also discuss our general approach to our class, stressing our emphasis on the Four “C’s”undefined the 21stCentury skills of critical thinking, creativity, communication, and collaboration.

India's Contemporary Paradox

While India is a nation with a golden past and a glittering future, contemporary India is faced with serious economic and social issues such as poverty, environmental pollution, eroding infrastructures, gender bias, and a compromised educational system. Explore visual impressions of key cultural sites, and discuss India’s most pressing problems, recommendations for instructional resources, and teacher-developed lessons.

Loopy for Looping

The social studies department at Chittenango Middle School has been looping with its students for almost a decade. Come and learn about the benefits of looping in the middle school social studies curriculum.

Teaching Presidential Elections

This session will engage participants in Current Issues debates with tools and techniques to engage students in real discussions of issues being debated at the national level. Be prepared to build a party platform. All participants will receive a free Teaching Presidential Elections Guide.

The Greatest Lakes: Interdisciplinary Lessons

The Great Lakes are one of the most dominant features on the North American landscape. They have immensely influenced our history and our culture. In this workshop I will demonstrate lessons on the Lakes that tie into social studies, ELA, math, and science, including a model of the Great Lakes watershed.

The Latest Charge from NYSED: Developing High-Powered Student Learning Objectives

This session will provide a high level overview of Student Learning Objectives. Participants will gain understanding of basic components and required elements of SLO’s and understand the roles and responsibilities of the District, School, and Educator within the SLO process. Participants will also have an opportunity to practice developing sample SLO’s.

Session 2 - 11:15-12:15

Combining Economics and Law and Government into a Year Long Course

Explore the benefits, challenges, and practical realities associated with combining a regents level economics course with a Law and Government course. Two National Board Certified teachers will offer their insights into promoting the course to your school's administration and students while also discussing opportunities to synthesize curriculum units.

Introduction to Google Docs in the Social Studies Classroom

Presenters will share how Google Apps can be used to encourage cooperative learning activities in a 7th or 8th grade Social Studies classroom. Presenters will share a basic orientation of various Google Applications including, Docs, Presentations, Sites, and Calendar. Presenters will show student samples of practical learning activities that can be facilitated using Google Apps.

Preparing for the New AP US History Course

This workshop will provide participants with the College Board’s Draft Curriculum Framework, explain all the facets of the newly designed course, and demystify the exam format. Time will be spent on an overview of the course. Free Instructional materials will be distributed.

Sensational Journalism and the 1898 Spanish-American War

Using materials prepared by the Bill of Rights Institute, teachers will participate in a lesson about yellow journalism and the Spanish-American War. All materials will be able to be used in the classroom immediately and are intended for use with middle or high school students.

Teaching History as a Discipline

This session offers history teachers an opportunity to consider the enterprise of teaching history and to encourage students to make their own historical meaning. Historical thinking does not occur naturally; it grows out of the systematic exercise of cognitive skills specific to the historian. These, and more, we will explore.

The Holocaust: Rescuers and the Righteous

Expand your knowledge of the most horrific time in history. Explore the altruism and caring of ordinary people during the worst of times. Presenters will share research, tested strategies and lessons, as well as primary sources correlating to the standards. They will also incorporate technology and various types of assessments.

FRIDAY, MARCH 23 – PRESENTATION LISTING

Session 3 - 12:30-1:30

Creating 21st Century Learners: Applying Leadership Camp Strategies in the Social Studies Classroom

Led by two Social Studies educators, S*T*A*R* Adirondack Leadership Camp provides a bounty of 21st Century skills. Learn practical strategies in collaboration, creativity, flexibility, and problem solving that are classroom ready.

Financial Fitness for Life

This session introduces teachers to lessons covering the basics of investing in stocks and bonds, with an emphasis on mutual funds. Included is a discussion of risk and diversification. Participants will receive a free copy of Financial Fitness for Life.

My Story, my World, my Understanding. Using Stories to promote history, geography, and literacy in the classroom.

Stories have been used for thousands of years to share and inform. Explore strategies for using stories to help reinforce history and literacy standards identified in the Common Core and New York State Standards. Make learning personal and fun by using engaging stories, personalities, and connections with from the past.

New York's First Power Couple: Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt

Teachers will receive information and lesson plans about Eleanor Roosevelt's journey from typical upper-class wife and mother to a powerful voice for the world's poor and dispossessed, along with a variety of resources from the Roosevelt homes in Hyde Park, NY.

Web 2.0 Continuum & the Common Core

Leveraging the Common Core Learning Standards with Web 2.produces to produce powerful learning experiences.

Session 4 - 1:45 - 2:45

Common Core Approaches in Social Studies

Provide students opportunities to utilize critical thinking, and develop a deeper understanding of social science themes, by analyzing the impacts of processes/practices/actions within chunked curricular topics. Teach students how to examine issues through a variety of materials/approaches. Session presents various activities (primary/secondary sources, electronic modules, fiction/non-fiction works) within content topics/themes.

Teaching Global History

Calendar, unit, lesson ideas, and activity sheets supporting a social studies approach to teaching global history based on the new book published by Routledge. Examines historical and pedagogical controversies, multiple perspectives, and alternative time lines as well as the impact of technology throughout history and on the iGeneration.

Using Podcasts in the 9-12 Social Studies Classroom

Podcasts are a free and easy way to add technology and content to the classroom experience. Learn how these teachers have made podcasts part of their unit plans as an additional resource that promotes student learning. Lesson plans and assessments for grades 9-12 will be shared.

Using the GeoHistoGram

Can your students put historical events into perspective? Do a sample activity with the GeoHistoGram, see a presentation about the historical roots of a modern energy issue, and get a classroom set, activity packet, and wall poster. It works - 34,000 copies have been requested by teachers in 11 months.

Examining Bullying in Schools

This workshop will examine bullying among students. Participants will learn and share Facing History’s multimedia resources that stimulate and promote safe environment in schools. The activities will help teachers experience how to open conversations with students, and how to be effective in changing situations. They will explore how their action can contribute to safety of the schools.

Virtual Economics 4.0: Everything You Need for K-12 Economics

The workshop will demonstrate how to use VE in any K-12 curriculum. Attendees will receive a free copy of VE 4.0. Our 51 concepts have been updated with new videos; interactive simulations; quizzes; online resources to EconEdLink; and new publications, including “Teaching Financial Crises” and “Financial Fitness for Life (K-12)”.

FRIDAY, MARCH 23 – PRESENTATION LISTING

Session 5 - 3:00 - 4:00

Understanding Human Dignity: A Key to Peaceful Conflict Resolution

Learn how to use the material in the Red Cross's Exploring Humanitarian Law toolkit to explain past and current events from a humanitarian perspective. This interactive curriculum teaches your student the value
of being a global citizen. It can be used as a springboard to action; whether it is standing up for a peer that is being bullied or supporting global humanitarian initiatives.

A District Model for Implementing the NYS APPR Regulations and Improving Social Studies Instruction

Learn how the Niskayuna District has developed an APPR model based on the Danielson Framework. By stressing “conversation” around important attributes of professional practice, K-12 social studies teachers and their supervising administrators embrace professional development goals and indicators of successful teaching that enhance instruction and other aspects of the school environment.

Democratizing the DBQ: A System-wide Approach to Historical Thinking and Writing in Grades 4-12.

The DBQ Project will examine ways to teach Document-Based questions in a way that is accessible to all skill levels. Our Mini-Qs in American and World History will be highlighted. Discussion will focus on ways that districts can use the DBQ as a tool to vertically align their historical thinking and writing expectations.

Interdisciplinary Connections: Social Studies, Math and Science

This presentation will look at the positive impact of bridging social studies with math and the sciences. Methods and lessons will be provided during this session.

The Economics and Financial Literacy Initiatives of W!SE

In this workshop, you'll learn about two exciting programs offered by WISE. The Euro Challenge provides an opportunity for 9th and 10th graders to learn about the economics of the Euro Area; the Financial Literacy Certification Program is designed to help high school students become Certified Financially Literate.

The Impact of Peace

Building Blocks of Peace, an innovative and free lesson guide, challenges students to think critically about the impact of peace on their communities and the world, from social, environmental, and economic perspectives. The presentation will demonstrate how these concepts can be thought in classrooms using multi-media resources and empirical data.

Special Interest Groups: We the People and Representative Democracy in America

Teachers will be given a bag full of materials from the Representative Democracy in America Program and a high school text from the We the People Program. Using these free materials, participants will experience a lesson about special interest groups that will be ready for immediate use in the classroom.

SATURDAY, MARCH 24 - PRESENTATION LISTING

Session 6 - 10:00-11:00

Google Earth in the SMART Classroom

Intended for all grade levels, this session covers how to zoom, pan, and navigate Google Earth on an interactive whiteboard, as well as how to add your own images and record tours. We’ll explore many features and layers of real-time information, and show you how to incorporate Google Earth into your lesson plans.

Implementing the Common Core in 9-12 Grade Social Studies Classroom

The Common Core is coming, but there is no need to worry! Learn how these two high school social studies teachers have implemented the Common Core in their classrooms in the 2011-2012 academic year. We'll share what worked and what didn't and provide sample lesson plans and assessments for Global History I and II, Economics and Government.

Mount Vernon...the Mansion and the Myth

Geared towards anyone interested in learning more about the Mount Vernon Summer Teacher Institute. This workshop will highlight the weeklong experience at Mount Vernon for teachers with a lesson plan using primary sources to explore the issue of slavery in the United States through the lens of Washington family portraits.

Retirement: Ready Or Not

Are you planning to retire soon? Members of the NYSCSS Retirees Committee will share their experiences as Retirees: changes, transitions, problems, pitfalls, helpful resources, opportunities, life in the course of a retirees day. Expect cross discussions, and questions and answers

Teaching Economics Because It Really Matters

Economics instruction at the high school level can suffer from the use of models and terminology that may seem mechanistic and remote to some students. Methods for teaching economics in powerful ways that promotes deep thinking about significant personal and public choices will be shared, as well as resources and lesson ideas that challenge some of the orthodoxy associated with standardized economics textbooks.

The American Revolution on the Northern Frontier

The presenters of this workshop will share primary source activities on the American Revolution as it unfolded on New York's northern frontier from 1775-1777. Each presenter will share lessons using soldier narratives, authentic assessment projects, and classroom-to-museum experiences that can be adapted to your locale. Attendees will receive teacher scholarship information for two academic (colonial based conferences) and one colonial history conference for teachers.

The Dignity Act

This session will provide background on the catalyst that brought about the Dignity Act legislation. Participants will gain an understanding of the legislation and considerations school district must consider in implementation. Legal implications and supporting case law will also be presented in this session.

Session 7 - 11:15-12:15

Beyond the Textbook: Activities for Teaching Social Studies

Participants will engage in multiple activities to teach economics, history, and geography to early childhood/elementary students in grades 1-6.

FOCUS - Middle School World History

The newly released publication, funded by the U.S. Department of Education, integrates history and economics from pre- history to Adam Smith (1776) in 23 lessons. Lessons have downloadable visuals, original documents, pedagogical tools, website links, and assessments. This publication was designed for world history and the Global 9 curriculum.

Socioeconomics, Microfinance and Sustainability: Impacting the Planet from the Classroom

Create understanding of socio-economic differences affecting our planet. Conduct micro financing for impoverished people. Build a school in Africa. Provide a village with a sustainable breeding herd. Have your students change the world in one month. Construct a global hub of change connecting your students and empowering them as global leaders.

The Great Recession: A Historical Perspective

This session introduces teachers to eight lessons designed to teach about the housing and credit crisis. The Great Recession is compared to other bubbles including the tulip mania of the 1630's, Japan's Lost Decade, and the dot-com bubble. Participants will receive a free copy of Teaching Financial Crises.

World History in 100 Objects

The History of the World in 100 Objects is a free project from the BBC, and it can be used in many ways in the classroom.

The Middle School Classroom, Common Core, and Literacy Skills

This session will offer participants a look at how the common core shifts have been integrated into the middle school classroom to build literacy skills among students. Ideas that can be easily integrated into middle school classrooms will be discussed. Student examples will be included.

SATURDAY, MARCH 24 - PRESENTATION LISTING

Session 8 – Special Midday Speaker (1:00 – 1:30)

Regent James Dawson - Update from a Regent

Regent Dawson chairs the Regents Subcommittee on Standards that reviewed the Common Core in Mathematics and English Language Arts to the Board of Regents. In the future, Regent Dawson and his committee will review the Common Core in Science and Social Studies. Regent Dawson will take questions after his talk.

Session 9 - 1:45 - 2:45

A Convenient Hatred: The History of Anti-Semitism

A Convenient Hatred: The History of Anti-Semitism considers the ancient hatred of Jews that persists to the present. Why has it lasted so long? What are ways to mitigate such hatred? What are ways to deal with this subject in the classroom?

Engaging Your Students

Using humor, along with fun and innovative lessons will keep the students engaged and learning. This workshop will provide you with 'real' lesson plans that you can utilize in your classroom. Join me for some fun and laughter as we put the excitement back into teaching.

Preparing the Next Generation of Citizens: Teaching for Democracy

Often teaching democratic citizenship is confined to studying Greek and Roman contributions or those of the American founders. This session will explore ways for teaching democracy even when the content of the lesson appears to not be relevant. Participants will be encouraged to share their ideas.

SMART Board Basics for Social Studies Classrooms

Learn basic operations that will enable you to start using your SMART Board immediately. We'll introduce you to the SMART Notebook software, provide troubleshooting tips relating to hardware, and discuss navigation of the Internet and Google Earth.

Students as Producers: Using Technology in Social Studies

How do you connect to a 21st century student? Engage them by utilizing the tools available. This presentation will showcase different ways of engaging students in social studies using technology. Techniques for
video projects, blogs, animation, websites, and virtual
field trips will be shared along with connections to the Common Core.

Using the Choices Program in the High School Classroom

The Choices curriculum material comes from Brown University - developed at the Watson Institute for International Studies. The Choices Program provides curriculum units on historical and current international issues and develops units that encourage deeper thinking and discussion for your students. Choices units are appropriate for 9th, 10th, and 11th grade.

Session 8 – Special Afternoon Presentation (3:00 – 4:30)