We hope your autumn is off to a cool and colorful start! As the days get shorter and the temperatures get more temperate, we hope you are making time for yourself and your professional development. In this issue, we provide information about the ICSS Fall Conference on October 11 at Harper College, the NCSS Annual Conference, November 22-24 in Austin Texas. We also have a few classroom-ready resources regarding the Civil War and Industrial Revolution. We hope you enjoy! As always, if you have any news or lesson ideas to share, please let us know! You may contact co-editor Ben Wellenreiter at [email protected] with any ideas.
Happy teaching! Dr. Fred Isele and Dr. Ben Wellenreiter Co-editors, ICSS Quarterly
ICSS Fall Conference—October 11, 2019—Harper College, Palatine, Illinois The theme for the conference is “Building Bridges to Social Studies”. To encourage connections between the social studies and other subject areas, our theme works to grow understanding of social studies as an interdisciplinary concept. Science, math, technology, language and performing arts are easily connected to the social studies and can be used to grow student understanding of social studies concepts. We are looking forward to a diverse range of practical and informative sessions. We hope you can join us!
NCSS Annual Conference, November 22-24, 2019—Austin Texas The premiere social studies event of the year, the annual NCSS conference is in Austin Texas. Drawing thousands of educators for hundreds of sessions, you will not want to miss this opportunity. More information can be found at; https://www.socialstudies.org/conference
Civil War Poster Project A classroom ready project for 6-12 history students, this research project views the Civil War from many different perspectives. Placing the topic in the hands of the students is a great way to blend their interests with broad concepts you wish for them to explore. Well adapted to the inquiry arc now worked into the Illinois Social Studies Learning standard, this tried-and-true research project is sure to yield interesting results.
Art and History Connected Lesson Plan Through a series of lessons, Matthew Claude from Western Illinois University, deeply demonstrates the connections between art, technology, history, and culture, In engaging, student-centered activities, these elementary lesson plans work to connect students to art and culture.
Parent Technology Interview—Connecting to the Industrial Revolution Certainly our students’ parents weren’t alive during the Industrial Revolution, but the technology we use has certainly changed since they were teenagers! With this activity, students are encouraged to explore what life was like as a teenager—in the late 20th century. The broad purpose is to better understand how lifestyle and technology intertwine. Getting to know parents a bit better, this survey is sure to serve as a catalyst for interesting discussions at home and in your classroom.
Economics Education Lesson Ideas Dr. Fred Isele presents a wide variety of ways to engage students in economic concepts. Providing resources and ways to bring various economic concepts to students, these ideas regarding economics education can help bolster classroom experiences.
IL Social Science Listserv A great new resource, the IL Social Science listserv provides tips and connections to professional development throughout the state. Get in the know with all things social studies by joining this listserv.