October 2023 - Social Studies Signal Newsletter
10/3/2023
Updates from the Ohio Department of Education
2023 Ohio Materials Matter Professional Learning Opportunities
The Ohio Department of Education is offering professional learning to increase capacity among educational service centers, teachers, districts, and school leaders to collaborate in the process of selecting and implementing high-quality instructional materials (HQIM) so that students will acquire the knowledge and skills to be successful through a standards-aligned instructional foundation. Upcoming webinars include:
-
Oct. 12: Establishing a Vision for HQIM (3:30-4:30 p.m.)
-
Nov. 16: Developing Your Lens for HQIM (3:30-4:30 p.m.)
-
Dec. 14: Best Practices for Instructional Leaders with HQIM Adoption (3:30-4:30 p.m.)
-
Feb. 15: Engaging Stakeholders Through HQIM (3:30-4:30 p.m.)
-
March 7: Studying and Winnowing Options for HQIM (3:30-4:30 p.m.)
-
April 11: Supporting Diverse Learners Through HQIM (3:30-4:30 p.m.)
-
May 16: HQIM and Assessments (3:30-4:30 p.m.)
-
June 13: Panel: Best Practices for Preparing for Effective Implementation (3:30-4:30 p.m.)
Interested educators can find registration information for each session on the Department’s website.
Toolkit Available for Student Service Learning
ServeOhio recently launched a Youth Service Toolkit that includes steps to create a service project, educational resources on the top causes that youth care about and 47 downloadable service projects for easy access to high-impact service activities for all ages.
Research shows that youth of all ages who participate in service exhibit positive outcomes including improved attendance, better grades and higher graduation rates. Service also produces positive impacts in prosocial behaviors, acceptance of diversity, connection to cultural heritage, development of ethics and greater resilience.
ServeOhio is the state's Commission on Service and Volunteerism created to empower local communities to mobilize AmeriCorps members and volunteer resources for the purpose of building a stronger Ohio. Visit ServeOhio’s website to learn more.
Update on Student Interactions with Peace Officers Model Curriculum
Under Ohio law, each city, local, exempted village and joint vocational school districts and community schools shall provide instruction on proper interactions with peace officers during traffic stops and other in-person encounters using this model curriculum. Ohio law requires districts to use the adopted model curriculum to plan instruction. Districts are not expected to move forward with instruction until after a model curriculum has been adopted.
American History and American Government End-of-Course (EOC) Exam Test Specifications
The Ohio Department of Education has a set of test specification documents, including descriptions of the assessment components and item types, assessment blueprints and item specifications. These documents are designed to help educators and the general public better understand the design of Ohio's State Tests. Test developers also use these documents to help guide the development of Ohio's State Tests for Social Studies.
Office Hours With Ohio Department of Education Program Specialist
Ohio educators can schedule office hours directly with Ohio's Social Studies and Financial Literacy consultant, Linda McKean, using the Microsoft Teams Bookings links below:
News from Education Organizations
Ohio Teacher Receives American Civic Education Teacher Award
Wayne County Joint Vocational School teacher Kimberly Huffman received a 2023 American Civic Education Teacher Award (ACETA), recognizing her exemplary work preparing young people to become informed and engaged citizens. The 2023 ACETA winners are Sergio de Alba of R.M. Miano Elementary (Calif.), Allison Sheridan of Heritage Middle School (Fla.) and Kimberly Huffman of Wayne County Joint Vocational School (Ohio).
ACETA awards teachers of civics, government, and related subjects who have demonstrated exceptional expertise, dynamism and creativity in motivating students to learn about the Constitution, U.S. government at the federal, state and local levels, and public policy.
The Center for Civic Education, the Center on Representative Government at Indiana University, and the National Education Association sponsor ACETA.
Donna Phillips, Vice President & Chief Program Officer of the Center for Civic Education, praised Alba, Sheridan and Huffman for their dedication to helping young people learn the information and skills necessary to participate as effective and responsible citizens. “We are grateful for all these teachers do to ensure that each succeeding generation understands the principles and values of our representative democracy,” Phillips said.
Kids Voting Ohio Voter Registration Resources
Kids Voting Ohio is partnering with the Ohio Association of Student Leaders to get eligible 17 & 18-year-old students registered to vote by the October 10th deadline. Kids Voting Ohio invites schools and educators to check out their free voter registration resources and sign up to host a Voter Registration drive.
Professional Learning Opportunities
Registration Open for Ohio Council for the Social Studies 67th Annual Conference
The Ohio Council for the Social Studies invites educators to attend their 67th Annual Conference at the Nationwide Hotel and Conference Center in Lewis Center on Oct. 16 and 17. The OCSS Conference is Ohio's largest gathering of social studies educators and offers workshops, sessions and time to meet colleagues from around Ohio. This year's conference theme is Shaping the Future: A New Era for Social Studies Education.
Pricing for the conference will increase after Sept. 15 as the conference's back-to-school pricing ends. Interested educators can visit the OCSS website for more information and registration information.
Registration Open for the 103rd Annual National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) Conference
The National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) is pleased to open registration for the 103rd NCSS Annual Conference in Nashville, Tennessee, from Dec. 1 through 3 at the Music City Center. This year's conference theme is "Social Studies: Working in Harmony for a Better Tomorrow." Interested educators can register for the event.
Roma and Sam Kaltman Teacher Fellowship for Holocaust Educators
The Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center offers an immersive learning experience for educators on Nov. 10-11 and Jan. 20 at Cincinnati's Union Terminal.
Join the Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center's prestigious cohort of teacher leaders and apply to the Roma & Sam Kaltman Teacher Fellowship today. This learning opportunity starts with a two-day in-person experience in Nov. followed by asynchronous learning sessions on topics relevant to you and your classroom. The fellowship concludes with an in-person experience in Jan..
As educators learn and grow as part of a cohort of dedicated educators, they will leave with the foundational knowledge and best practices to teach the Holocaust to today's students. Beyond opportunities to hear from Holocaust survivors, learn from Holocaust experts and hone lesson plans, fellows will cultivate long-lasting professional relationships with special experiences, including a Shabbat dinner at the historic Union Terminal. Apply today to begin your journey as a 2023 Roma and Sam Kaltman Teacher Fellow.
Fall and Winter Teaching American History Seminars
TeachingAmericanHistory.org invites educators to participate in conversational seminars that explore themes in American history and self-government by studying original historical documents.
Webinar Series: Rising to the Challenge: High-Quality Instruction in K-8 Social Studies
The National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) and inquirED are hosting a fall webinar series called Rising to the Challenge: High-Quality Instruction in K-8 Social Studies. The remaining sessions include:
-
Oct. 26: The Power of High-Quality Instructional Materials
-
Nov. 9: Theory to Practice: Implementing High-Quality Instruction
-
Dec. 7: Tools for Identifying High-Quality Social Studies Instruction
Other Resources, News and Information
Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland Shares New Ohio Financial Literacy Curriculum Guide
Designed to help educators and schools fulfill Ohio’s standalone financial literacy course requirement, the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland developed a free Ohio Financial Literacy Curriculum Guide (High School Edition). The guide covers 18 weeks, or one semester, and divides content into 3-week-long units for six topics. The Federal Reserve has aligned lessons, activities, and other resources in the guide with Ohio’s Financial Literacy Standards and Model Curriculum for High School. This curriculum guide contains resources drawn primarily from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis’s Econ Lowdown® economic education website, with additional material from the Cleveland Fed and other sources.
Free American History Resources for K-12 Students from Gilder Lehrman
The Gilder Lehrman Institute offers numerous free programs and activities designed to make history come alive for K–12 students.
They include programs such as History U, the AP US History Guide, Transcribe!, scholarship opportunities, and other resources. The Institute invites educators to explore ways students, teachers and parents can engage with the Gilder Lehrman Institute resources.
iCivics Releases New Constitutional Compromise Interactive, Online Game
Constitutional Compromise challenges students to find a way forward for a young nation as disagreements mount. iCivics designed the game to engage students in the ideas discussed at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 and discover how compromises one might make today compared to those made by the 55 delegates.
Retro Report Shares Advanced Placement United States History Resource Collection
RetroReport has released an Advanced Placement (AP) United States History collection that includes more than 75 films to meet the needs of teachers and students. Most of these Retro Report resources fit with Periods 7 through 9 of the AP course and are organized by topic.
The resources in this newsletter are free and have been reviewed using the Department’s Social Studies resource filter against established criteria. Copies of the completed filter forms are available upon request. Inclusion in this newsletter does not represent a recommendation to use a resource. Many quality resources are available beyond those included here. Educators should use their professional expertise to determine the suitability of any particular resources for use in their districts, schools or classrooms.
Send comments/questions to:
Linda McKean, Social Studies Consultant, Office of Learning and Instructional Strategies linda.mckean@education.ohio.gov.