| Social Studies – Preparing Students for College, Career and Civic Life |  |
| Teaching & Learning
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- Middle-school students in Md. learn through filmmaking
A middle-school teacher in Maryland says students enrolled in a documentary film course are learning "without realizing it." Students select a topic, study and tell a story on film -- helping them develop skills in literacy and research. Students also learn to use filmmaking equipment and technology. No matter the skill level of the filmmakers, educators say all students' films are celebrated and shown. The Sun (Baltimore)
(6/9)
 
- Students need financial literacy lessons that are interactive
About 3,000 Clark County, Nev., students participated in a pilot program this year in which they were taught financial lessons. However, some educators say the lessons should be more interactive and that some students did not pay attention to the topics on banking, credit cards and interest rates. "What I saw is that students aren't paying attention," teacher Averill Kelley said. "That's my biggest problem with it. Instead of really trying to learn, they're just racing to get it done." Las Vegas Review-Journal
(6/12)
| Policy Watch
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- Nebraska social studies standards emphasize broad concepts
The Nebraska Department of Education is revising its social studies standards to reflect a national trend away from requiring students to memorize specific names and dates and toward teaching them the skills they need to research, evaluate and analyze broader concepts. "The idea that content and skills are totally separate things is a myth. In fact, they are inextricably intertwined," said Kevin Bower, an assistant history professor at Nebraska Wesleyan University. Lincoln Journal Star (Neb.)
(6/10)
- Md. elementary school places restrictions on student elections
At Bethesda Elementary School in Montgomery County, Md., students have been restricted since 2008 in what they can say and do during school elections. The school has banned giveaways, such as buttons and candy, limited students in what they can promise and what they can say about their fellow candidates. While the election rules deviate from the reality of actual campaigns, educators who instituted the rules say they are intended to keep spending under control. The Washington Post
(6/8)
| Technology in the Classroom
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- Setting up rules for student-teacher social networking
As students' use of social-networking sites increase, more educators are trying to figure out how to safely connect with students online. In states such as Minnesota, where most districts don't have social media policies, many teachers want to be available to students but worry about getting too close. Minnesota attorney Aimee Bissonette, who counsels districts on social media, suggests administrators talk to teachers about the risks of engaging students online. Pioneer Press (St. Paul, Minn.)
(6/11)
- Smartphone applications seek to curb student bullying
Several new smartphone applications are intended to help stop school bullying, including Stop Bullies that allows students to report incidents of bullying anonymously by sending photos, messages and other information to school administrators. Another app, Back Off Bully (BOB), was created by students and offers similar features, along with resources on bullying and a function that allows students to schedule counseling appointments. Mashable
(6/11)
- NYC teacher develops app to help students prepare for exams
A high-school science teacher in New York City has developed educational applications intended to help students prepare for state exams. Frederick Feraco's "Buddy" apps include lessons based on subjects covered by New York state's Regents exams and quizzes that include questions from past exams. The apps also feature flashcards and YouTube resources, as well as news feeds tailored to exam topics. T.H.E. Journal
(6/12)
| Social Studies & Civic Life
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- N.H. students learn about the law in state bar association program
Seventh-graders at New Hampshire's Londonderry Middle School recently learned about their rights and responsibilities when attorney Sharon Ryan visited their classroom as part of the Lawyer and Judge in Every School program. Sponsored by the New Hampshire Bar Association, the program introduces students to the legal implications of issues such as bullying and sexting. "While you don't have the same level of rights as adults do, it's still your responsibility to behave properly," Ryan told students. The Union Leader (Manchester, N.H.)
(6/11)
- Presidential election brings lessons in democracy
Students must practice civic engagement and democracy should be modeled in school if students are to learn about about democracy ahead of this year's presidential election, Mark Phillips writes in this blog post. He suggests teachers use student input to help guide instruction and engage students through feedback, and that teachers create a student advisory group and student questionnaires. Edutopia.org/Mark Phillips' blog
(6/8)
- The importance of teaching fiscal responsibility
 Anand R. Marri, a social studies professor at Teachers College, Columbia University, led a team that created a free curriculum about the federal budget and fiscal responsibility. In this blog post, he discusses the skills students must have to understand the U.S. budget process and the importance of providing them with those skills. "Federal budget issues remain almost entirely absent from the broader social studies curriculum, which speaks volumes about our failure to engage young people in some of the most pressing moral and civic issues of our times," Marri writes. CNN/Schools of Thought blog
(6/11)
| NCSS Updates
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International Social Studies Conference in Morocco
National Council for the Social Studies, in partnership with the Moroccan Center for Civic Education, will hold an international conference in Fez, Morocco, from June 26 to 29, 2013. The conference will focus on the theme of "Education for Democracy and the Arab World" and feature speakers from the Middle East, expert panels, breakout sessions, tours of world heritage sites, school visits, cultural activities and networking opportunities. Details will be available in a few weeks. Follow NCSS on Facebook or Twitter @ncssnetwork for further information.
| SmartQuote
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 | Striving for excellence motivates you; striving for perfection is demoralizing."
--Harriet Braiker,
American psychologist and writer
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