The WSCSS Social Calendar!

We've added a new resource for you at wscss.org.  Check out our new Social Calendar to see what Social Studies events are coming up in Washington State.  From Rick Steves at the WSCSS Fall Conference on October 8th, to Justice Sonya Sotamayor at Civic Summit II in the Fall of 2017, there are workshops, conferences, sessions, and summits galore for the social studies teachers of Washington!  Check it out and we'll see you there.

The Fall Conference is coming up soon!

We help students understand the world and prepare them for active citizenship in it. With the presidential election looming along with many important local and regional ballots, our duty to foster civic participation and engagement is of paramount importance this year. With that in mind, come share the way that you prepare your students as citizens. This year's Fall Conference will focus on The Future of Civics led by our keynote speaker, Rick Steves, a champion of travel as a political act.

The adoption of the Common Core Standards presents educators with both challenges and opportunities. The national standards movement and consequent emphasis on high stakes Math and Literacy tests demands that we advocate for the civic purpose of schools.  They also give us the opportunity to highlight the importance of the social studies. Schools with strong social studies programs will prepare students for success on the Smarter Balanced Assessments. Are you ready for the Common Core?

Themes for Workshops: Preference will be given to sessions that incorporate the following:

• Civics - Reformers and new national standards focus on preparing students for college and a career of global competition. What can we do to prepare students for their equally important lives as citizens in a democracy? How are we engaging students with civic involvement – even for students who can’t yet vote? What best practices should high school teachers consider as they plan how to meet Washington’s new Civics graduation requirement?

• Common Core—Districts expect teachers to understand and incorporate the new standards in their classroom practice. How can social studies teachers effectively teach the Common Core?

• Best Practices—What does “proficient” or “distinguished” look like in a social studies classroom, and how can teachers document it? How have you prepared for the TPEP? 

Proposal Form: Proposal forms are available here and should be submitted to Mary Anne Christy, Conference Chair, on our website at http://www.wscss.org/fall-conference

Questions? Contact Mary Anne Christy, Conference Chair, at maryanne.christy@lakesideschool.org