| Social Studies – Preparing Students for College, Career and Civic Life |  |
| Teaching & Learning
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- Tenn. students knit history and other subjects together
Quilts did much more than keep people warm during the American Civil War. For slaves seeking freedom, quilts with various designs and markings represented clues about how to stay safe as they escaped to the North. That, along with some geometry and art skills, was part of the lessons learned recently by eighth-graders at Colonial Heights Middle School, who received a visit and quilting tips from the 90-year-old mother of teacher Susan Weaver. Kingsport Times-News (Tenn.)
(12/24)
 
- Literacy lesson spans elementary and high school
Seniors in Anna Graham's English classes at Bearden High School in Knoxville, Tenn., created children's storybooks to develop their knowledge of literary elements, such as similes and alliteration. In turn, Cynthia Thornburg's third-grade students at West View Elementary School critiqued the books and applied their classroom lessons in plot, setting and illustrations. The project enabled her high-school students to create examples for themselves, allowing them to retain more information and have fun, said Graham, who partnered with Fountain City librarian Elizabeth Nelson on the project. The Knoxville News-Sentinel (Tenn.) (free registration)
(12/25)
| Policy Watch
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- At what age should children enroll in kindergarten?
The cutoff date for children in Tennessee to enroll in kindergarten has been moved back. Under the change approved by state legislation, in the 2014-15 school year, children must be 5 years old by Aug. 15 to enroll -- earlier than the current cutoff of Aug. 31. The previous deadline was Sept. 30. The move is part of a trend emerging nationwide in which districts -- and parents -- are in favor of giving students more time to mature before enrolling in kindergarten. The Tennessean (Nashville) (tiered subscription model)
(12/22)
| Technology in the Classroom
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- Tech standards issued to help districts with common core testing
The Partnership for the Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers, one of two consortia designing curricula and assessments for Common Core State Standards, has released its "minimum specifications" and "recommended" technology guidelines for testing under common core. The guidelines address such areas as acceptable screen sizes and devices permissible for the testing, plus the types of security needed regarding Internet access, cameras and other device features. The Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium earlier this month released its own list of technology requirements and recommendations. Education Week/Digital Education blog
(12/21)
| Social Studies & Civic Life
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- Creating school environments that are sensitive to trauma
 The recent tragedy in Newtown, Conn., demonstrates the need for educators to help develop "trauma-sensitive schools," according to the blog post written by Eric Rossen, a nationally certified school psychologist and licensed psychologist in Maryland. At "trauma-sensitive schools," educators are responsive "to the potential impact of trauma and adverse experiences on students' lives" and help ensure that all students "feel safe, connected, and supported," writes Rossen, co-editor of "Supporting and Educating Traumatized Students: A Guide for School-Based Professionals." Oxford University Press/OUP Blog
(12/21)
- Geographer explores possibility of 2 Dust Bowls
The impact of the Dust Bowl of the 1930s was more widespread than some people may realize, according to Donald Berg, a professor emeritus of geography at South Dakota State University. People tend to think of the Dust Bowl as a phenomenon that only struck the southern Great Plains, but the truth is that northern parts of the Great Plains were also affected, Berg contends. "The concept of the Dust Bowl being exclusive to the southern Plains is in error and need of correction," he writes. Capital Journal (Pierre, S.D.)
(12/21)
| NCSS Updates
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Link social studies standards with the Common Core State Standards
NCSS Publications announces "Teaching Reading with the Social Studies Standards: Elementary Units that Integrate Great Books, Social Studies, and the Common Core Standards." 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 State Standards for Reading Literature. Learn more and order online.
| SmartQuote
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 | If all misfortunes were laid in one common heap whence everyone must take an equal portion, most people would be contented to take their own and depart."
--Socrates,
Greek philosopher
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