| Social Studies – Preparing Students for College, Career and Civic Life |  |
| Teaching & Learning
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- Wis. school borrows from TV for social studies unit on economics
 On the TV show "Shark Tank," budding entrepreneurs pitch product ideas to a panel of potential investors, and that concept seemed to be an educational way to teach students at Delong Middle School in Eau Claire, Wis., about business and entrepreneurship. "Within our social studies curriculum we teach an economics unit and our curriculum is designed to give kids an introduction to entrepreneurship and building a business and partnered with Junior Achievement," said Jennifer Birkholz, seventh-grade social studies teacher. In the Delong version of "Shark Tank," students presented ideas for a kids' club and answered questions from a panel of "sharks" about all the project's details. WEAU-TV (Eau Claire, Wis.)
(3/14)
 
- Calif. high-school students receive conflict-resolution training
California's Tehachapi High School has launched the Safe School Ambassadors' "Waking Up Courage" campaign to try to reduce bullying and build bridges among the social groups on campus. With help from a State Farm Youth Advisory Board grant, more than three dozen students were trained in conflict resolution and other skills. "It's about teaching bystander students to notice mistreatment and intervene, then redirect what kids are talking about or doing. It's about improving the school environment by giving students the tools to support each other," said Shay Olivarria, a trainer with Community Matters in California, which helped develop the program. Tehachapi News (Calif.)
(3/12)
- How the common core supports interdisciplinary teaching
Teachers nationwide say the implementation of the Common Core State Standards presents opportunities for interdisciplinary thematic units, in which educators of various subjects work together to teach a certain concept or idea. Bobbi Farrell, a social studies and language arts teacher at Messalonskee Middle School in Oakland, Maine, explained an example of the approach as teaching a social studies lesson on immigration or social classes by integrating literature, with books such as "The Outsiders." Education Week Teacher (premium article access compliments of EdWeek.org)
(3/13)
| Policy Watch
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- Ind. district devotes time for teachers to work together
Shane Robbins, superintendent of Northwestern Consolidated School District, says he has been impressed by the results of teachers' weekly collaboration sessions. Each Wednesday, the start of school is delayed by one hour so teachers at each school can meet to discuss student data and evaluate students' progress and needs. Officials say the meetings have informed discussions on curriculum and also allowed teachers of different subjects -- and in different schools -- to learn from each other. The Shelbyville News (Ind.)
(3/14)
| Technology in the Classroom
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- Using interactive games to teach students about money
Games can be used to improve students' understanding of money, writes Andrew Miller, an educational consultant and online educator. In anticipation of Financial Literacy Month in April, Miller shares a list of games, compiled by Ohio educator Brian Page. In one game, students -- or players -- manage a "day club" for vampires, while another game, Financial Football, allows students to score points by correctly answering financial questions. Edutopia.org/Andrew Miller's blog
(3/12)
| Social Studies & Civic Life
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- Boosting crop diversity in Malawi
Researchers from Western University in Canada are part of a five-year project aimed at increasing food security in Malawi by helping farmers grow a more diverse array of crops. "We hope they'll see the yields and start to experiment on their own farms," said Isaac Luginaah, a geography professor at the university. "We don't want to impose any crops on them; we want to show them they can experiment." The London Free Press (Ontario)
(3/11)
| NCSS Updates
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Upcoming state and regional social studies conferences
Regional, state and local social studies conferences organized by NCSS-affiliated councils provide great opportunities for teachers in their home areas. Find a complete listing that includes meeting themes, proposal deadlines, council Web pages and conference contacts on our website.
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Link social studies standards with the Common Core State Standards
"Teaching Reading with the Social Studies Standards: Elementary Units that Integrate Great Books, Social Studies, and the Common Core Standards," the latest bulletin from NCSS Publications, is now available. This new publication includes class activities that help teachers to achieve learning expectations of the National Curriculum Standards for Social Studies as well as specific objectives outlined in the Common Core Standards for Reading Literature. Learn more and order online.
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