Last week I had the opportunity to venture to one of my favorite US cities - Boston. There is so much I adore about Boston - the brick architecture, the intellectual energy/buzz, the coffee, the seafood, and of course, the history. It's an ideal location for a plethora of social studies enthusiasts to gather.
Elizabeth Peuser and I presented a session, "Infusing Culture and Diversity in a Literacy Classroom" to a couple dozen educators from around the country at the National Council for the Social Studies annual conference. We were thankful for the chance to discuss the importance of focusing on global citizenship and making sure social studies is not forgotten in the elementary curriculum, but instead infused in all that we do. Our presentation was framed around a compelling question in the new scope and sequence for our 3rd grade curriculum - "What are my rights and responsibilities as a citizen in the global community?" The sample lesson we demonstrated was centered on the book, 14 Cows for America by Carmen Agra Deedy in collaboration with Wilson Kimeli Naiyomah. If you have not had the opportunity to read this book - I highly suggest that you do and incorporate it into one of your lessons. You can check it out, along with lesson plan suggestions, including artifact analysis, in the Africa Culture Trunk, housed in the library media center at Harmony Middle School. A bonus to our presentation was the chance to tell people about the diversity work we do in our district, as it is quite unique.
When not presenting, I had the opportunity to attend a few good sessions, network with other districts who are passionate about culturally responsive teaching, gather some great new ideas on history assessments, such as weighted multiple choice items, and hear Josie Antonio Vargas and Nicholas Kristof speak. Journalists by trade, they travel all over to capture and tell compelling stories, including their own, in an effort to raise awareness and close empathy gaps. They were inspiring (regardless of where one in the audience falls on the political spectrum), because they focused on the vital role of teachers, particularly social studies teachers. I was struck to the core when Mr. Vargas said, "I don't know what I would have done without my teachers. I don't know what I would have done without history to ground me."
The conference was full of information and ideas, but more importantly it was full of compelling stories. Our session was based on an incredible story - full of generosity and compassion. On the plane ride home, I spent time reading Unbroken, the story of Olympic runner and World War 2 POW survivor, Louis Zamperini. Side note - there was even a session on this story at the conference as lesson plans are popping up all over the internet in light of the highly anticipated release of the movie next month.
Social Studies teachers empower the leaders, activists, movers, shakers, and decision makers of the future because we tell the stories that inspire these future leaders, activists, movers, shakers, and decision makers. More importantly, we teach students how to interpret and evaluate them. The conference was inspiring, not because of any one thing I learned or heard, but because I was reminded of the fundamental role of the profession and how essential it is to our society.
Elizabeth Peuser and I presented a session, "Infusing Culture and Diversity in a Literacy Classroom" to a couple dozen educators from around the country at the National Council for the Social Studies annual conference. We were thankful for the chance to discuss the importance of focusing on global citizenship and making sure social studies is not forgotten in the elementary curriculum, but instead infused in all that we do. Our presentation was framed around a compelling question in the new scope and sequence for our 3rd grade curriculum - "What are my rights and responsibilities as a citizen in the global community?" The sample lesson we demonstrated was centered on the book, 14 Cows for America by Carmen Agra Deedy in collaboration with Wilson Kimeli Naiyomah. If you have not had the opportunity to read this book - I highly suggest that you do and incorporate it into one of your lessons. You can check it out, along with lesson plan suggestions, including artifact analysis, in the Africa Culture Trunk, housed in the library media center at Harmony Middle School. A bonus to our presentation was the chance to tell people about the diversity work we do in our district, as it is quite unique.
When not presenting, I had the opportunity to attend a few good sessions, network with other districts who are passionate about culturally responsive teaching, gather some great new ideas on history assessments, such as weighted multiple choice items, and hear Josie Antonio Vargas and Nicholas Kristof speak. Journalists by trade, they travel all over to capture and tell compelling stories, including their own, in an effort to raise awareness and close empathy gaps. They were inspiring (regardless of where one in the audience falls on the political spectrum), because they focused on the vital role of teachers, particularly social studies teachers. I was struck to the core when Mr. Vargas said, "I don't know what I would have done without my teachers. I don't know what I would have done without history to ground me."
The conference was full of information and ideas, but more importantly it was full of compelling stories. Our session was based on an incredible story - full of generosity and compassion. On the plane ride home, I spent time reading Unbroken, the story of Olympic runner and World War 2 POW survivor, Louis Zamperini. Side note - there was even a session on this story at the conference as lesson plans are popping up all over the internet in light of the highly anticipated release of the movie next month.
Social Studies teachers empower the leaders, activists, movers, shakers, and decision makers of the future because we tell the stories that inspire these future leaders, activists, movers, shakers, and decision makers. More importantly, we teach students how to interpret and evaluate them. The conference was inspiring, not because of any one thing I learned or heard, but because I was reminded of the fundamental role of the profession and how essential it is to our society.