Oregon Social Sciences Teacher Update #92
April 2011
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Who will be the 2011-12 Oregon Teacher of the Year?
The Nobel Peace Laureate Project Blog
Nominations Sought for Oregon Outstanding Social Studies Educator of the Year
Business Education Compact Proficiency Workshops
―The Many Faces of Fundamentalism‖—The Oregon Humanities Summer Teacher Institute
Secretary of State Kate Brown Reminds Students about Voting
―Dream of a Beautiful Future: Change Begins With You‖—PeaceJam Northwest at OSU
2011 Oregon New Lawyers Division High School Essay Contest
Oregon Geographic Alliance Offers Two Summer Institutes at PSU
The Oregon Digital Newspaper Program Wants to Hear from You
Teachers! Others! Sharpen Your Spanish in Mexico
Financial Beginnings Celebrates ‗Money Smart Week‘ With Panel Discussion Featuring Oregon‘s
Top Financial Experts
An Invitation to hear Dr. Harvard Ayers speak about ArcticVoices at PSU
Teach East Asia Conference for K-12 Educators
TCI Webinars in April
Teaching with Historic Places Website
Consumer Action Handbook and The Federal Citizen Information Center
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis Offers Resources
National Civil War Student Challenge
Rock the Vote and the National Education Association Announce Democracy Day
Council on Economic Education Lessons
―A Capital View of Canada: Nations within a Nation‖ 2011 STUDY CANADA Summer Institute for K-12
Educators
ODE Resources (in every issue)
1. Who will be the 2011-12 Oregon Teacher of the Year?
The Oregon Department of Education is now accepting nominations for the 2011-12
Oregon Teacher of the Year. Anyone may nominate a candidate for the Oregon Teacher of the
Year. However, a candidate cannot nominate him/herself. To nominate a teacher, go to the
ODE website and fill out the Talent Pool Recommendation Form at
www.ode.state.or.us/go/TOY. At the end of the recommendation, click the box to nominate the
individual for the Oregon Teacher of the Year.
―The Oregon Teacher of the Year award honors a representative of all the great
teachers in Oregon,‖ said State Schools Superintendent Susan Castillo. ―Candidates for Oregon
Teacher of the Year are exceptionally dedicated, knowledgeable, and skilled educators. They
inspire students of all backgrounds and abilities to learn. They have the respect and admiration
of students, parents, and colleagues. Candidates play an active role in the community as well as
in school, and they are poised and articulate representatives of all Oregon classroom teachers.‖
The teacher ultimately selected as Oregon’s 2011-12 Teacher of the Year will continue
to teach in his/her classroom and will have many opportunities to share his/her teaching
strategies, best practices, and education experiences and expertise with audiences around the
state. The teacher will attend the National Teacher of the Year conference in Dallas, TX; the
National Teacher of the Year Recognition Week in Washington, DC where he or she will meet
the President at the White House; and International Space Camp at the US Space & Rocket
Center in Huntsville, AL. The Oregon Teacher of the Year also becomes a candidate for the
National Teacher of the Year award.
A Blue Ribbon Panel consisting of legislators, former Teachers of the Year, business leaders,
and key education organization leaders will select the finalists. The finalists will be interviewed
by representatives of the State Superintendent’s office. State Superintendent Susan Castillo will
select the Oregon Teacher of the Year. The deadline for nominations is April 29, 2011. The
2011-12 Oregon Teacher of the Year will be announced at the beginning of October.
Superintendent Castillo is especially proud that the Oregon Teacher of the Year program
is sponsored by Intel Corporation, the state’s largest private employer and a consistent
supporter of education programs, particularly in math and science. Intel provides generous
support to Oregon's 2010-11 Teacher of the Year, Colleen Works.
To learn more about the current and previous Oregon Teacher of the Year, please visit:
http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?id=227.
Questions? Contact Diane Roth at diane.roth@state.or.us or (503) 947-5791.
2. The Nobel Peace Laureate Project Blog
The Nobel Peace Laureate Project in Eugene, Oregon (www.nobelpeacelaureates.org)
announces the establishment of a blog that will provide information about the 24 American
winners of the Nobel Peace Prize. The Nobel Project already has written the first ever
educational materials describing what these American Peace Laureates have done to end wars,
prevent others, aid the victims of war, and create conditions that reduce conflict in the world.
The purposes of the blog are to supplement these materials and give others an opportunity to
contribute to the Nobel Project with content, ideas, and suggestions.
http://nobellaureatepeacepark.blogspot.com.
3. Nominations Sought for Oregon Outstanding Social Studies Educator of the Year
Do you know of a Social Studies Teacher that would make a good candidate for Oregon
Outstanding Social Studies Educator of the Year in the categories of Elementary, Middle School
or High School? See the Oregon Council for the Social Studies website,
http://www.oregonsocialstudies.org/, for details. For more information, contact the awards
committee or Andy Demko, OCSS President.
4. Business Education Compact Proficiency Workshops
Ramada Inn, Portland Airport
Introductory Workshop, May 5, 2011, 8:30am – 3:00pm
Coaching Clinic, May 6, 2011, 8:30am – 3:00pm
May 5 Participants will learn about:
Elements of successful middle school and high school proficiency-based classrooms
Establishing levels of proficiency in all content areas
Developing assessments that support proficiency practices
Grading and reporting practices that support teaching to standards
May 6 Participants will:
Observe model proficiency lessons taught by teacher coaches who use proficiency in
their classrooms
Work with teacher coaches to develop proficiency documents (content-specific
rubrics, communication to parents, grading scales, formative assessments) in the
following areas:
Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies (Coaches will be available for these
areas only)
Discuss issues related to implementing proficiency-based practicesAll participants receive a
flash drive with workshop materials.
Training Instructor: Diane Smith, BEC Director Teaching & Learning Initiative, and teacher
coaches from around the state
Who Should Attend:
May 5 Middle and/or high school teams (teachers, school and district administrators new
to proficiency)
May 6 Middle and/or high school teams who have attended a BEC 'Introduction to
Proficiency' training. and who teach the standards in the four content areas listed above
Location: Ramada Inn: 6221 NE 82nd Avenue; Portland, OR (503) 255-6511
(Lodging information/location map provided upon registration)
Reservation Options and Costs: Click here to register: BEC Training Registration
Introductory Workshop -- Day 1 only (May 5) -- Cost: $170
Coaching Clinic -- Day 2 only (May 6) -- Cost: $170
Pre-requisite: completion of previous BEC Introduction to Proficiency workshop
Introductory Workshop and Coaching Clinic Both Days -- Cost: $340
You can also register at www.becpdx.org under Quick Links, Workshop and Events
Questions? Contact Diane Smith at 503-646-0242 x 28 or dsmith@becpdx.org
This is a paperless workshop: Please bring a laptop computer to access files on your
workshop flash drive!
5. ―The Many Faces of Fundamentalism‖—The Oregon Humanities Summer Teacher
Institute
The Oregon Humanities Summer Teacher Institute The Many Faces of Fundamentalism
will take place July 7-10, 2011 at University of Oregon, Eugene.
Working with the institute director and guest scholars from around the state, teachers will
explore the social and political roots of fundamentalism and its related questions: What political
and cultural factors contributed to its rise in the twentieth century? How does fundamentalist
authority function within American democracy, and how do popular conceptions of
fundamentalism affect religious tolerance within schools and communities?
Over three days, the institute will involve a mix of guest scholar lectures and reading
discussions. A compilation of historical essays and contemporary and scholarly articles will
serve as the framework for daily discussions and curriculum development. Clips from film and
television as well as online content will also be considered as primary texts in order to explore
the representation of fundamentalism in mainstream media and popular culture. A curriculum
workshop will help teachers develop lesson plans responding to the institute topics.
Room and board are provided and participants earn 30 continuing education hours for
FREE. Graduate credit is also available. There will be a $50 materials fee for participation in the
institute. Space is limited and preference is given to first-time participants and full-time Oregon
secondary school teachers.
For more information and to apply by April 15, 2011, visit our website:
www.oregonhumanities.org.
6. Secretary of State Kate Brown Reminds Students about Voting
Secretary of State, Kate Brown wants to remind all 17- and18-year-old students that
elections will be held throughout most of Oregon on May 17, 2011. The elections are for school
board members, districts and measures, all of which are issues that affect their lives. If students
will be 18 on or before the day of the election, the last day to register to vote in the election is
April 26. Please encourage students to register to vote on-line at www.oregonvotes.org/myturn.
7 ―Dream of a Beautiful Future: Change Begins With You‖—PeaceJam Northwest at
OSU
featuring Nobel Peace Prize Winner Rigoberta Menchú Tum, April 16th & 17th, 2011
Who: Middle school and high school students throughout the Pacific Northwest.
What: Hundreds of PeaceJammers in 7th through 12th grades will join 1992 Nobel
Peace Laureate Rigoberta Menchú Tum, for a weekend exploring issues of peace and
social justice. Participants will be inspired by Rigoberta’s courageous story, perform
hands-on service projects in the surrounding community, attend thought-provoking and
skill-building workshops, and have the opportunity to present their Global Call to Action
projects to the Laureate and their peers.
Where: Corvallis, Oregon – Oregon State University
When: All day Saturday, April 16 – Sunday, April 17, 2011
Why: Participation sparks commitment to justice and peace, increases social
responsibility, increases global awareness, increases academic performance, provides
positive role models, engages students in service-learning.
Cost: $75 per person attending. This includes two days of conference activities such as
workshops and service projects, as well as three meals on Saturday, two meals on
Sunday, a t-shirt, and water bottle.
For more information or registration forms, contact Courtney Nikolay at
PeaceJam@oregonstate.edu or call (541) 737-3172. You can also refer to the website for more
details: http://oregonstate.edu/studentaffairs/peacejam
8. 2011 Oregon New Lawyers Division High School Essay Contest
The Oregon State Bar’s New Lawyers Division is proud to announce the 2011 High
School Essay Contest. The contest is open to all Oregon high school students and three
winners will be chosen to receive $500, $350, and $250, respectively for first, second,
and third place entries. All entries should be submitted to the Oregon State Bar office.
DEADLINE: Submissions must be received by May 11, 201.
This year’s topic is about the First Amendment and the sale of offensively violent video
games to minors.
View potential lesson plans to encourage discussion from Deliberating in a Democracy,
http://www.deliberating.org/Lessons_Violent_Video_Games.pdf, a joint initiative conducted by
the Constitutional Rights Foundation Chicago (www.cfrc.org), the Constitutional Rights
Foundation (www.crf-usa.org), and Street Law, Inc. (www.streetlaw.or).
All entries must be RECEIVED at the Oregon State Bar office NO LATER THAN 5:00
p.m. on May 11, 2011. Late entries will not be considered. Please include name, school, and
contact information on the submitted essay. To submit, you may:
(1) Mail your essay to:
ONLD-LRE Essay Contest
P.O. Box 231935
Tigard, OR 97281-1935
(2) Hand-deliver the essay to the Oregon State Bar located at:
16037 SW Upper Boones Ferry Rd
Tigard, OR 97224
Please direct the essay to ONLD-LRE Essay Contest
or
(3) Email the essay to:
ONLD@osbar.org Please write ―ONLD-LRE Essay Contest‖ in the subject line of the
email.
9. Oregon Geographic Alliance Offers Two Summer Institutes at PSU
A. Geographic Literacy for ELL and Bilingual Learners (K – 8), July 25 – August 6 will
focus on strategies for addressing Bilingual and ESOL students using the Student Atlas of
Oregon, including a Spanish Language version of the atlas. The first week includes content
lectures, strategies, exploring resources for teaching about the state to Bilingual and ESOL
learners as well as an emphasis on the new state and national geography standards, links
to STEM and to Common Core Standards. During the second week, participants will attend
the National Conference on Geography Education at the Portland Marriot (for free!) with
opportunities to participate in field trips, hear national speakers, attend workshops, and be
exposed to lots of different resources. The only cost is the 5 GRADUATE credits at
$75/credit (free for pre-service teachers!); everything else is free, including materials and
registration for the national conference and continental breakfasts. Free housing for
participants from outside the Portland Metro area will be provided. Application forms are
available at:
http://www.geog.pdx.edu/oga/index.html and applications need to be completed by April 15,
2011. For more information contact the Oregon Geographic Alliance at: 503-725-5864 or
geogall@pdx.edu
B. Geographic Literacy for All Learners, August 1-August 12, is designed for all grades
and focuses on fostering geographic literacy across content areas. This institute will start
with attendance at the National Conference on Geography Education at the Portland Marriot
(for free!) with opportunities to participate in field trips, hear national speakers, attend
workshops, and be exposed to lots of different resources. The second week will focus on
strategies, technology integration, discussions on sessions from the conference and an
understanding of why geographic literacy is important in the 21st century. There will be an
emphasis on the new state (social science) and national geography standards, STEM
standards, and connections to the Common Core Standards. Earn 5 graduate credits
(free!). In addition, the institute will provide free materials and registration for the national
conference and continental breakfasts. Free housing for participants from outside the
Portland Metro area will be provided. Application forms are available at:
http://www.geog.pdx.edu/oga/index.html and applications need to be completed by April
15, 2011. For more information contact the Oregon Geographic Alliance at: 503-725-5864 or
geogall@pdx.edu
10. The Oregon Digital Newspaper Program Wants to Hear from You
The Oregon Digital Newspaper Program (ODNP) is now looking for opportunities to
promote the resource, Historic Oregon Newspapers online, in K-12 schools throughout the
state. ODNP can visit your school, meet with Social Studies faculty, and hold an informal
presentation/workshop on how the digitized historic newspapers can be utilized in the
classroom. They hope to schedule a few of these in-school sessions before the end of the
academic year in June. They have funds budgeted to cover these sessions: there will be no cost
to the participating schools.
If your school is interested in hosting a session, please contact ODNP Project Manager
Jason Stone at jastone@uoregon.edu or 541-346-1859.
Further information can be found at the University of Oregon Libraries’ ODNP
information website, http://libweb.uoregon.edu/diglib/odnp/, and the latest developments can be
followed on the project blog, http://odnp.wordpress.com/. Feedback and suggestions from the
statewide community of educators would be most welcomed.
11. Teachers! Others! Sharpen Your Spanish in Mexico
The Puebla seminar is being offered once again, presented by EdStar Group.
Four week program: July 7 – August 6, 2011, $2950, not including airfare. Two-week program
July 7 – July 19, 2011, $2150, not including airfare.
The program includes Spanish language instruction plus teaching methods, 5 cultural
tours, homestays and weekend tours of Puebla and Mexico City (including the Ballet Folclórico).
10 and 5 credits respectively are pending through OSU for the 4 week and 2 week programs.
Optional tours to Oaxaca and Xalapa available with sufficient interest. Anne Mueller is the
program director as well as methodology instructor. Twelve (12) people are needed to make
the trip a go at this price. There has been sufficient interest to make tentative plans, but a
deposit is needed in order to firm up the program.
For teachers other than language teachers, the program will provide pedagogy and
methodology information that is linked to your content area. There is content-based instruction
as well as cross-curricular instruction. The trip involves searching out authentic materials as well
as the development of units to include directly into the classroom.
For more information and an application, contact Anne Mueller at
amueller@pacifier.com. Deadline for deposit ( refundable if trip is cancelled) and application is
April19, 2011. Family members may accompany at a rate adjusted to specific program needs.
Pricing assumes double occupancy at homestays and hotels.
12. Financial Beginnings Celebrates ‗Money Smart Week‘ With Panel Discussion
Featuring Oregon‘s Top Financial Experts
Financial Beginnings, a Portland-based nonprofit that provides free financial education to
children and young adults, has partnered with the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, Oregon
Jump$tart and Operation HOPE to celebrate Money Smart Week—April 2–9. Money Smart
Week is designed to educate consumers about money management and features a variety of
free financial education programs ranging from budgeting, saving and using credit wisely.
As part of Money Smart Week, Financial Beginnings will host a panel discussion
featuring Oregon’s top financial experts covering timely financial issues. Moderated by The
Oregonian’s Columnist Brent Hunsberger, the panel will field audience questions and offer
advice on various financial topics including ways to pay down debt and how to save for college.
The panel discussion will be April 7 at 6 p.m. at Portland State University‘s Smith Memorial
Union (1825 SW Broadway) room 327. Panelists include:
Michael Parker, executive director of the Oregon College Savings Plan
Diane Childs, financial information outreach coordinator at the Oregon Division of
Finance and Corporate Securities
Fernando Velez, consumer information specialist at the Oregon Division of Finance and
Corporate Securities
Nelson Rutherford, CPA and certified financial planner at Alten, Sakai & Co
Jim Hunt, chief financial officer, OnPoint Community Credit Union
Financial Beginnings is also partnering with the Portland Business Alliance Leadership
Portland group to host Dollars & $ense, a free family financial fair for low-income families, on
April 9 from 10 a.m.–3 p.m. The fair will be held at Friends of the Children (44 NE Morris in
Portland) and will include sessions on basic budgeting for families and how to teach children to
save.
Specific information on Money Smart Week and the financial fair is available at
Moneysmartweek.org/oregon.
About Financial Beginnings: Formed in 2005 and based in Portland, OR, Financial
Beginnings is a nonprofit organization that provides multi-session courses, free of charge, to
students and young adults throughout the Pacific Northwest through visits to their individual
schools or community groups. The courses incorporate all aspects of personal finance to
provide individuals the foundation needed to make informed financial decisions. More
information is available at www.financialbeginnings.org.
13. An Invitation to hear Dr. Harvard Ayers speak about ArcticVoices at PSU
Compelling firsthand accounts of survival and global climate change from the
perspective of Alaskan Natives and Northern Canadian First Nations will be shared at 7:30 PM
Friday evening, April 8th at Portland State University's Hoffman Hall, 1833 SW 11th Avenue
(parking garage at SW 12th and Montgomery).
"Indigenous peoples rely on the land, water and air as their 'gardens'," says Dr. Harvard
Ayers, Professor Emeritus of Anthropology, Appalachian State University (Boone, North
Carolina). In this presentation, Dr. Ayers will discuss a few of the 100 interviews he conducted
with the Indigenous peoples of Alaska and Northwestern Canada for his new book, Arctic
Gardens: Voices from an Abundant Land, A Story of the Gwitch'in, Inupiat and Inuvialuit
Peoples of the Alaska and Canada Arctic. Dr. Ayers is also a member of the Board of Directors
for the nonprofit corporation, Arctic Voices www.arcticvoices.org. The e-book of Arctic Gardens
is available at this site.
The unifying theme of all these personal stories is the mixed benefits and immediate
threats posed by the ongoing development of fossil fuels in the Alaskan and Canadian Arctic.
Native Alaskans and the First Nations of Northwest Canada are popularly regarded as the
canaries of global climate change because their homes and livelihoods are found within the
fragile Arctic environment. In addition to a description of the issues surrounding the
development of fossil fuels, Dr. Ayers will describe the subsistence hunting traditions of the
Caribou People and the threats the oil industry presents to the caribou calving grounds and
other Arctic subsistence resources.
The event is sponsored by Wisdom of the Elders, Inc. (WISDOM) which produces the
Native American radio series, Wisdom of the Elders Radio, and PSU's Institute for Sustainable
Solutions, PSU's hub for cross-disciplinary research, teaching and partnerships in sustainability.
Contributions will be accepted at the door and there will be a silent auction and raffle of Native
American arts and crafts throughout the evening.
This event is a WISDOM fundraiser for planning the fourth series of Wisdom of the
Elders Radio Program. This upcoming oral history and cultural arts radio series will feature
compelling messages and sustainability responses to climate change from eight Northwest
tribes in Oregon, Alaska, Washington and Montana. WISDOM, whose mission is Native
American cultural sustainability, education and cross-cultural communications, shares the
previous three radio series at www.wisdomoftheelders. Downloads of 150+ Native American
radio segments are available at no charge to the public.
14. Teach East Asia Conference for K-12 Educators
Saturday, May 21st, 8:30 – 4:00, University of Oregon in Portland, 70 NW Couch, Portland,
Oregon.
Presented by the World Affairs Council of Oregon, this conference will open with a
keynote panel of university students from East Asian countries and continue with grade level
curricular workshops and breakout sessions representing the ancient, wondrous and conflicted
cultures of China, Japan and Korea. This unique cultural immersion experience will also include
a mid-day ethnic meal, entertainment and an East Asian Information Fair/Marketplace. Breakout
sessions will address history and contemporary issues, language and literature, geography and
travel opportunities, art and architecture, music and dance, pop culture and more. One of the
conference highlights will be a walking tour of the Lan Su Chinese Garden and the historic
Japanese and Chinese neighborhood in which the garden is located. Understanding the U.S.,
China, Japan and Korea and their peoples is critical knowledge our citizenry needs to live and
work in an increasingly interdependent world. Many curricular materials will be available at the
conference, both free and for purchase. This Conference will be followed on December 9th,
2011 by a ―Teach East Asia Youth Forum‖ for Middle and High School students at Portland
State University. Conference attendees will be given an opportunity at the conference to preregister a delegation of 10 students from their school for the Youth Forum. Please go to
www.worldoregon.org/more/education/teacheastasia.php to register. Space is limited. The
deadline for registration is May 13th.
15. TCI Webinars in April
TCI, the creators of History Alive! and Social Studies Alive!, presents two all new webinars in
April. These free events are appropriate for teachers of all grade levels and experience with TCI.
Certificates of completion are available upon request at the end of the webinar.
TCI Webinar: Test Prep the Active Way
Join TCI to discover active test preparation activities that you can use to help students
get ready for standardized tests or day-to-day assessments. You'll leave the webinar with
practical ideas you can use immediately.
Join us live:
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
3:30-4:30pm Pacific (6:30-7:30pm Eastern)
Register at: https://teachtci.webex.com/teachtci/onstage/g.php?t=a&d=935964038
TCI Webinar: Assessment Tune-up
TCI’s Brian Thomas to explore innovative strategies and sites you can leverage when
preparing review exercises with your students. You’ll get game ideas, website thoughts,
and a chance to share your own genius. This is the first of three webinars designed to
help you ease into the close of the school year.
Join us live:
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
3:30-4:30pm Pacific (6:30-7:30pm Eastern)
Register at: https://teachtci.webex.com/teachtci/onstage/g.php?t=a&d=939894268
16. Teaching with Historic Places Website
The National Park Service website, Teaching with Historic Places,
http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/twhp/ is a resource to augment history lessons and research. For
example, there’s a lesson about the Lewis and Clark Expedition that incorporates maps,
readings, images, and activities and features Fort Clatsop and two other historic locations. To
see more, go to
http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/twhp/wwwlps/lessons/108lewisclark/108lewisclark.htm.
17. Consumer Action Handbook
The 2011 edition of the Consumer Action Handbook is a helpful and popular consumer
resource. This 162-page guide is designed to help citizens find the best and most direct source
for assistance with their consumer problems and questions. The handbook offers tips on topics
such as what to ask before you invest, protecting against online fraud, understanding credit,
going green, and safe social networking. It also includes a sample complaint letter that
consumers can use as a guide for their own letter, fax, or e-mail. The Handbook has thousands
of names, addresses, phone numbers, e-mail addresses for Better Business Bureaus, corporate
consumer contacts and state, county, and city government consumer protection offices. The
2010 Handbook was distributed to half a million households across the country and military
bases around the world. Consumers can reserve their 2011 Handbook online at
www.consumeraction.gov. A Spanish language version is also available at
www.consumidor.gov.
18. Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis Offers Resources
The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis has an information portal and newsletter about
economics, and now there is a classroom edition of the newsletter with questions for students, a
teacher answer key, and additional resources. http://liber8.stlouisfed.org
19. National Civil War Student Challenge
In April 2011, award-winning cable network HISTORY and global education company
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH) are commemorating the 150th anniversary of the start of the
Civil War by inviting all U.S. high school students to participate in a national trivia contest—the
National Civil War Student Challenge. This academic competition gives students a chance to
showcase their knowledge of one of the most pivotal events in American history and qualify to
win up to $15,000 in college scholarships.
In addition, any teacher whose student qualifies for the final round of competition and
who proctors the final exam will have a chance to receive up to $400 in classroom supplies,
courtesy of HISTORY and HMH.
Students can register today to take the challenge online and download the official study
guide. Teachers and parents can set up class study groups and encourage study sessions and
download and hang challenge posters and fliers.
Although all U.S. high school students who are in grades 9–12 and between the ages of
13–19 are eligible to participate, the content is geared toward 11th grade curriculum. The 30
top-scoring students will be invited to take a 90-minute, proctored, in-school final exam to
determine the top 10 scholarship winners. (A teacher volunteer at each student’s school will
proctor the exam.) HISTORY and HMH will be awarding over $30,000 in total college
scholarships to the finalists.
Visit the HISTORY Classroom and HMH Education for additional resources and lesson
guides.
20. Rock the Vote and the National Education Association Announce Democracy Day
Forty years ago, educators and students worked together to lower the voting age to 18.
In doing so, they amended the Constitution and empowered millions of American citizens to
have a say in our democracy. To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the passage of the 26th
Amendment, Rock the Vote – in partnership with the National Education Association (both
members of the CMS Steering Committee) – is launching the first annual Democracy Day,
democracyday.com.
Starting on March 23rd and running through the end of the school year, educators
across the country are celebrating Democracy Day in their classrooms with Rock the Vote’s
Democracy Class program. Democracy Class is a 45-minute, non-partisan lesson plan geared
towards high school students that teaches them the history of voting rights, walks them through
the voter registration process, and engages them in a mock election.
And to add to the celebration, there is a contest for educators and students who
participate to win prizes like iPod Touches, gift cards and concert tickets!
If you are interested in partnering with Rock the Vote to bring Democracy Day to your
schools please contact Chrissy Faessen 202-719-9941 or chrissy@rockthevote.com.
Educators can sign up at www.democracyday.com.
21. Council on Economic Education Lessons
"Focus on Economic Data: Consumer Price Index and Inflation, February 17, 2011," at:
http://www.econedlink.org/e992?utm_source=newLessons&utm_medium=email&utm_ca
mpaign=lessons20110309
This lesson focuses on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and rate of inflation
reported February 17, 2011, by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for the month
of January, 2011. Students read the BLS report, analyze the meaning of the CPI data,
determine the change in consumer prices, and explore the impact of the change in the
price level on themselves, their families, consumers, and producers.
Grade Level: 9-12. Key Economic Concepts: Business Cycles, Consumer Price Index
(CPI), Inflation, Macroeconomic Indicators, Price Stability.
"Focus on Economic Data: U.S. Employment and the Unemployment Rate, March 4,
2011," at:
http://www.econedlink.org/e994?utm_source=newLessons&utm_medium=email&utm_ca
mpaign=lessons20110316
This lesson examines the March 4, 2011, U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of
Labor Statistics (BLS), announcement of employment data and the unemployment rate
for the month of February, 2011. This lesson introduces the basic concepts of the BLS
employment and unemployment data. The meaning and importance of the data are
discussed. Assessment exercises are included for reinforcing knowledge of the
concepts.
Grade Level: 9-12. Key Economic Concepts: Business Cycles, Employment Rate, Labor
Force, Labor Market, Macroeconomic Indicators.
"Focus on Economic Data: U.S. Real GDP Growth, February 25, 2011," at:
http://www.econedlink.org/e995?utm_source=newLessons&utm_medium=email&utm_ca
mpaign=lessons20110316
This lesson focuses on the February 25, 2011, second estimate of U.S. real
gross domestic product (real GDP) growth for the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2010, as
reported by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA). The current data and historical
data are explained. The meaning of GDP and potential impacts of changes of GDP are
explored. This lesson will also raise questions about the impact of the current level of
growth on the U.S. economy and individuals. Grade Level: 9-12. Key Economic
Concepts: Business Cycles, Economic Growth, Gross Domestic Product (GDP),
Macroeconomic Indicators, Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
As always, you'll find even more free lessons at http://www.econedlink.org/.
22. ―A Capital View of Canada: Nations within a Nation‖ 2011 STUDY CANADA Summer
Institute for K-12 Educators
July 3-8, 2011 (Held in Ottawa, ON and Montréal QC)
Western Washington University’s "STUDY CANADA" program has provided American
educators with a strong foundation for teaching about Canada for the past 33 years. Visit
www.k12studycanada.org/scsi.asp to view additional details, the draft agenda, the
downloadable registration form, and online travel award eligibility details/application.
"STUDY CANADA" is a premier professional development opportunity for K-12 educators
and teacher-trainers to:
Earn 3 university quarter credits (C/AM 410 - WWU) or 40 clock hours at a subsidized
registration cost of $500*;
Learn from distinguished university faculty, tribal leaders and government officials;
Experience Canada’s culture, history and environment through unique activities not
possible through regular tourism;
Bring Canada back to your classroom with numerous free resources and standardsbased lesson plans on Canada;
Support options include:
Guaranteed travel support of $300 (with submitted receipts) if not already receiving other
support;
A $500 Canada-America Society scholarship for Washington State teachers may be
available;
A letter of support and suggestions for individuals’ in need of additional support.
Deadline: May 1, 2011 (max. 20 people)
Inquiries: Contact tina.storer@wwu.edu
US Department of Education and Embassy of Canada outreach grants subsidize costs
so that tuition/clock hours, round-trip Ottawa-Montréal transportation, accommodations, daily
breakfasts, and entry fees for most activities are included in the registration cost. In addition, the
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, the US Embassy in Ottawa, the
Government of Québec, the US Consulate General in Montréal and the Center for United States
Studies of the Raoul Dandurand Chair in Strategic and Diplomatic Studies at the University of
Québec at Montreal support costs related to one reception and two dinners. Transportation
to/from Vancouver, Canada is not included but travel awards of $300 are available from WWU
and a $500 scholarship may be available from the Canada-America Society (Seattle, WA) for
Washington State teachers.
23. ODE Resources (in every issue)
Past editions of Social Sciences Teacher Update: http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?=1707
Social Sciences Announcements: http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/results/?id=24
Social Sciences Performance Standards:
Standards: http://www.ode.state.or.us/teachlearn/real/documents/ss.pdf
Oregon Social Sciences Standards Review: http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?=2429
FAQ: http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?id=1808
Review and Revision of the Oregon Social Sciences Standards information:
http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?=2429
Grade-Level Mapping: This is an optional model for Social Science curriculum K-HS. This can provide
an effective tool for curriculum alignment. Available in K-HS and in individual grade formats at
http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?=1810
Social Science Analysis Scoring Guide: http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?=32
State Adopted Instructional Materials for Social Sciences:
To see the list of adopted materials, go to
http://www.ode.state.or.us/teachlearn/instructionalmaterials/91-99ss.aspx
For publisher representative information, go to
http://www.ode.state.or.us/teachlearn/instructionalmaterials/pubrepsocsci.pdf
For a list of materials viewing sites, go to http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?id=1823
ODE Social Sciences web pages:
Social Science ―landing‖ page: http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/results/?id=24
Curriculum: http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?id=1738
Assessment: http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/results/?id=241
Resources for Educational Achievement and Leadership (REAL):
http://www.ode.state.or.us/teachlearn/real/
Oregon Diploma: http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/results/?id=368
Civics and Financial Literacy Task Force: http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?=1836
ELL Resources: http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/results/?id=106
Contact the State Specialists:
Andrea Morgan, Curriculum, andrea.morgan@state.or.us, 503.947.5772
Leslie Phillips, Assessment, leslie.phillips@state.or.us, 503.947.5835
****Disclaimer--The materials contained in the Oregon Social Sciences Teacher Update produced by
Oregon Department of Education are drawn from both internal and external sources and inclusion of
external materials does not necessarily indicate Oregon Department of Education endorsement.****