Calling all US History teachers! The American Historical Association (“AHA”) has been partnering with the National Council for the Social Studies (“NCSS”) to learn about how US history is taught in your state. Recently, the AHA sent out a survey to US history teachers in your state - another opportunity to contribute to this important work.
If you received a letter and/or an email about the survey, please complete the questionnaire about your experiences teaching US history as soon as possible.
After you follow the link in your letter and/or email and complete the 15-20-minute survey, you will receive a $10 gift card as a thank you for participating.
For more information about the survey, please visit the survey website. https://www.norc.org/research/projects/american-historical-association-survey-of-us-history-teachers.html#accordion-80b3b41f0d-item-b5f832e322
ENDING THE YEAR ON A POSITIVE NOTE
May your school year end on a positive note. State testing is over & now what? Try these quick & easy strategies to engage your students to the end.
1.Passion Projects - allow students to research a subject of their choice and create a presentation or create a project that shows their learning.
2.Let The Students Teach - allow students to teach the class for part of a day or period.
3.Reflection Time - take the time to let students reflect on their experiences in your classroom. Students often realize or notice things that you would never think about.
4.Write A Letter -students write a letter to a teacher or professional in the school that has helped them throughout the school year. Letters can be distributed by students or put into teacher’s boxes for a great end of the year surprise.
5.Theme Days - count down to the end of the year by creating a theme for each of the last days of school.
6.Time capsule - create a time capsule of memories using a water bottle and colored strips of paper. Students can write down their favorite memories to keep and open in the years ahead.
7.Survival Guide - allow students to create a video on the best tips for surviving the school year in your class. The videos can then be saved to create a great way to start the following school year with your new students.
8.Celebrate Achievements - class rewards provide a way for a teacher to recognize student accomplishments that might go unnoticed in regular school assemblies but can highlight how far a student has grown in the year.
9.Write About It - students create a six word memoir to describe their year. Check out more information on TechNotes from TCEA.
10.Graffiti Wall - students sign a large piece of paper with their favorite memory of the school year. Allow students to take pictures or selfies in front of the wall to preserve their memories for years to come.
I’m sure you have heard this from the TXCSS leadership several times, because we believe this to be true. We can’t all take the time to visit legislators or attend State Board of Education meetings. We don’t all have the time to track all the pending legislation, but taking the time to vote is easy. Educators make a powerful difference by voting together to support public education.
Last year TXCSS entered into a partnership with Texas Educators Vote (TEV) to join in their efforts to create a culture of voting in Texas public schools. How can you help in these efforts?
One of their best resources is the “Who Does What?” guide. This concise brochure or “one-pager” details which elected officials make what decisions about public education. This resource could be used with students and parents.
Not only is your voice your power, but our combined voices are more powerful. We look forward to seeing you at the polls on Educator Voting Day – October 27th.
The sometimes complex and lengthy process for revising the social studies TEKS has reached a point at which many educators engage - reviewing the draft proposals. Please keep in mind that getting to these draft changes has taken a fair amount of time. In that process teachers have participated in survey sessions facilitated by the regional service centers and the TEA hosted sessions at the TXCSS conference last fall to solicit input from social studies educators. Content advisors were selected, met and made recommendations to the State Board of Education(SBOE). Work groups were selected with the appointment approval of SBOE members and those groups have met several times to produce the current drafts.
The SBOE wants to hear from the teachers now.
Please take the time to review the drafts for revising the social studies TEKS
and email the SBOE with your thoughts, suggestions, concerns.
Social Studies TEKS Review Work
The most up to date K-8 draft is from Work Group F.
Notable changes to the social studies TEKS include the following:
The SBOE meets next August 30 - September 2 , so make your voice heard soon.
Thank you so much to our TEA partners for keeping us up to date on Social Studies related news.
As part of the State Board of Education’s process to review and revise the social studies Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), the Texas Education Agency (TEA) is surveying educators to help inform the recommendations of the social studies TEKS review work groups. We encourage you to provide your feedback regarding the current social studies TEKS by completing the survey.
Please note that survey will only be open for four weeks, so you are encouraged to complete the survey as soon as possible. The Social Studies TEKS Review Survey will close on December 10, 2021.
The link to the Social Studies TEKS Review Survey is https://tea.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6PXR2JYyIHIv2jc
TEA UPDATE FALL 2021ppt
If you:
- Teach a civics-related subject (i.e. social studies, government, advocacy, etc.) - Teach within Texas - Teach students 13 years or older then you are eligible to participate!
- Teach a civics-related subject (i.e. social studies, government, advocacy, etc.)
- Teach within Texas
- Teach students 13 years or older then you are eligible to participate!
The study will focus on how you teach and think about civics. Participation involves a 45-minute Zoom interview with the researcher.
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING OR GETTING MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT BRIANNA DIAZ AT DIAZBF@BC.EDU.
or schedule an interview here
https://calendly.com/diazbrianna/civics-interview
The State Board of Education (SBOE) will soon begin the review and revision of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for K-12 social studies. The SBOE’s TEKS review and revision process calls for multiple, separate work groups to make recommendations to the SBOE for revisions to the current standards. SBOE members nominate individuals, including educators, parents, business and industry representatives, and employers, to serve on TEKS review work groups.
The SBOE is now accepting applications to serve on social studies TEKS review work groups. Applications received will be submitted to SBOE members for review throughout the process.
Individuals selected will be asked to serve on one or more work groups. TEKS review work groups typically convene for two-day meetings and may include Saturdays. Additional days or meetings may be scheduled if needed. The Texas Education Agency is currently conducting TEKS review meetings virtually but is expected to return to face-to-face meetings later this year. The invitation to serve on a work group will include the format/location of the meeting.
To access the application and for more information regarding the K-12 social studies TEKS review, please visit the Social Studies TEKS Review webpage at https://tea.texas.gov/academics/curriculum-standards/teks-review/2021-2022-social-studies-teks-review.
Questions regarding the application or TEKS review process may be sent via email to teks@tea.texas.gov.
As of this writing SB 3 has been sent to the governor and with his signature will replace HB 3979. The TXCSS leadership is aware that many of you have questions about how this legislation affects your classrooms. Please be cognizant that much of the confusion surrounding this legislation is related to misinformation.
SB3 reiterates that teachers are to teach the TEKS. TXCSS has provided these guidelines on SB3 in hopes of answering some of your questions.
HB3979 Guidelines
These guidelines were developed by the Texas Council for the Social Studies, teachers are urged to first consult with the leadership of your district regarding the local policies and interpretations of this bill.
Teaching civics and U.S. history are increasingly difficult tasks. Civics, like our communities, continues to change, grow, and evolve. We are looking for teachers who want to expand the impact they have beyond their own classroom and be part of the national dialogue about the future of civics and history in our country. We want these teachers to apply for our Teacher Council and we still need applications from your state to ensure our Council has a diverse and national perspective. The Council meets monthly and advises the Institute on strategic initiatives by providing feedback on classroom resources and best practices in student learning as well as regional civics initiatives. They assist the Institute with monthly projects including–but not limited to–writing projects, editing projects, and resource renewal projects.
Apply Today
Frequently Asked Questions: How long is the time commitment? August 1, 2021-July 31, 2022 What is the compensation? $150/month What are the requirements to serve on the Council? At least 1 year of classroom experience and a current position in a 7-12 grade social studies classroom. What is required for the application? A profile questionnaire, a letter of recommendation, and a writing sample. I hope to receive your application! Laura Vlk Senior Manager, Teacher Services Bill of Rights Institute
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