Program for the Spring 2010 TCSS Conference

Program Schedule

Thursday Evening, 11 March 2009

Directors Row Room 6

7:00-10:00p.m.
TCSS Social

Friday, 12 March 2009

Grade Level Focus: E=Elementary, M=Middle School, S=Secondary

Southeast Foyer

Registration and Morning Coffee

Promenade 1

8:15-9:00a.m.
Sarah Keller. Tennessee Technological University. "Mapping Dr. Seuss! Horton, Whoville, and the King's Stilts!" The world of Dr. Seuss is a complex but interesting world to both children and adults! His books include universal concepts and themes that engage and intrigue the reader. Standards based lesson plans shared in this session will include Horton Hears a Who and The King's Stilts as we map these worlds of Dr. Seuss. These lessons may be adapted to various grade levels. They allow teachers to differentiate learning for students with various learning styles (including visual/spatial and logical/mathematical) and to challenge students to use higher level thinking skills. E, M

9:15-10:00a.m.
Sophia Birdwell. Lockeland Design Center Elementary. Nashville. "Its NOT All Greek To Me: Teaching Greek Mythology." This engaging cultural presentation is about how to incorporate Greek Mythology into your social studies curriculum. This unit covers ancient Greek history and geography and compares Greek and American cultures, among covering other standards. Topics include the birth of the Olympics, ancient Greek cultures, the genealogy of Greek mythology, how mythology impacts our lives today, and more. All ideas are presented in relation to today's society. The culminating activity is a school-wide Greek Production. Resource packets for attendees contain student play scripts, book recommendations, sample lesson outlines and pacing guide, and student activity sheets. E, M

10:15-11:00a.m.
Kimberlee Sharp and Joelle Sprague. Morehead State University Morehead, Kentucky "Are we keeping it real? Engaging Learners using Analogies and Objective Inquiry" The presenters will model two instructional strategies for helping students understand the Cabinet's and Lobbyists' influence on policy and legislative decision-making, as well as demonstrate the critical thinking and metacognition skills utilized by students as they engage in the learning activities. Using the recent health care reform as the focus of the session, participants will learn how to meaningfully integrate high - profile current events into their social studies lessons without sacrificing content coverage. The presenters will distribute sample lesson plans, activity sheets, and rubrics for each participant. M, S.

11:15-Noon
Cedric Liquer. Actor, Producer, and Writer of Historical Biographical Presentations. Dade City, Florida. "Buffalo Soldier: Sergeant George Jordan." Accomplished actor Cedric Liquer will take you through a fascinating discussion of the role of historical acting in social studies, present segments of his Buffalo Soldier performance based on the life of Williamson County resident George Jordan, and interact with the audience. You may see a feature about George Jordan on www.wkrn.com/global/category.asp?c=16067. M,S

12:15-1:00p.m.
Dr. Leslie Suters. Tennessee Technological University. "Rollin' in the Resources." This session will explore how resources, both natural and man-made, are used and distributed. Participate in a simulation to explore who has access to resources either locally or through economic means. Sample standards addressed include: Geography through regional comparisons and conservation; Economics through supply and demand, opportunity cost, and the global market; Government structure and conflict resolution. Each participant will receive materials to play the game with students and suggestions for use in the classroom as well as adaptations for various grade levels. Come ready to work as a team and have fun! M,S.

Promenade 2
(Special Geography Strand Presented by the Tennessee Geographic Alliance)

8:00-8:45a.m.
Jeffrey Byford, University of Memphis. "The Role of the High School Geography Project in Today's Geography Classroom"Originating from the "new social studies," the High School Geography Project was a one-year geography course organized around a settlement theme. Built upon six units, the project was considered largely innovative; often requiring students to use games/simulations and critical inquiry. Considered progressive for its time, the project was considered a pivotal element in the reform of geography and social studies education. Participants will receive handouts/lessons from the project. S

9:00-9:45am
Michael Robinson, Houston High School, Memphis. "Starbucks Geography" Winner of last year's NCGE/NYSTROM Geography Award. The five lessons are designed to teach basic geographic concepts. Each lesson uses Starbucks Coffee to help illustrate the main concepts. All five lessons require the use of computers and internet, and students use Keynote (Mac) or PowerPoint (PC) to create professional quality maps. M, S

10:00-10:45am
Kristi Brand-Neuroth and Abbe Andrews, Ravenwood High School, Brentwood.  "Germany in Europe: Enduring Issues" Germany provides a rich context for teaching students about other types of democratic governments, economic systems, and European culture. German and European unification have initiated a political, economic, and cultural renaissance across the continent. How will these changes impact the United States, international relations, and the future of Europe? During this presentation participants will receive high-quality print lessons with color transparencies examining European Union governance, the Euro, immigration, environmental issues, and more.  In addition, participants will receive corresponding wall maps. E, M, S

11:00-11:45a.m.
Christine Hockert , IEARN and Hamilton County Schools. "Early Peoples Symbols, an IEARN Project" Early Peoples Symbols is a collaborative project between schools around the globe who are connected by IEARN. Students will research early peoples cultural symbols in their area and post results in the project forum website. Students will select a symbol to create an original piece of artwork (16x20) to submit for inclusion in a global mural depicting early peoples cultural symbols for display locally, nationally, and internationally at IEARN conferences. E, M, S

12:00-12:45p.m.
Geography Lesson Winner of the Year Award Winner. To Be Announced. Join a creative teacher to learn their magnificent geography teaching strategies and materials that earned them the TGA Lesson Of The Year Award and $500 Cash Award!

Ridgelake

8:15am to 12:45pm
Incorporating The Geography Of Muslims & Islam Into Social Studies
A Specially Funded National Council for the Social Studies Workshop
Facilitated by Lisa Zagumny, Melissa Creek, Abir El Daba, and Amanda Richey. Tennessee Technological University. Cookeville.

The objective of the program is to integrate the geography of Muslims and Islam into middle school social studies and equip middle school social studies teachers with authentic multicultural tools to enhance geographic literacy in their classrooms and curriculum. The program will blend National Geography Standards into curriculum standards for social studies.

State Conference attendees may come for as much or as little of this workshop as fits their needs and schedule. Only workshop participants supported by NCSS must attend the entire workshop.

Directors Row 6

8:00-8:45a.m.
Kathryn Jasper. Central High School. Memphis. "Youth in Government: Creating Effective Citizens Through Interactive Learning" In line with our national goal of creating effective citizens, the Youth in Government program is an excellent opportunity for our high school students to become actively engaged in government, both through exploring state and national level legislation and international politics. The YMCA's Center for Civic Engagement offers Model United Nations in the fall and Youth in Government in the spring. This program serves as an informative session for teachers looking to become more involved in the program. Ms. Jasper recently started the program at her own school and will share her experiences and resources with participants. S

9:00-9:45a.m.
Jackie Morgan. Federal Reserve Nashville Branch. And Jeanette Bennett, Federal Reserve Memphis Branch. Money and the History Connection. History will come alive as you step back in time to our nation's beginning with the Federal Reserve's American Currency Exhibit. Learn how our country's rich history is closely tied with our currency. Discover the role the Federal Reserve has played--and continues to play--in that history. The session will also showcase Ben Franklin on the newly designed $100 bill along with the new publication, Benjamin Franklin and the Birth of a Paper Money Economy. Participants will receive free historical resources during the session! S

10:00-10:45am
LeAnne Fryman, Ann Poteat, Kandi Bien, and Teneicesia White. Memphis City Schools. "African Amerian History Institute." In the summer of 2009, MCS collaborated with the University of Memphis and Lemoyne-Owen College to offer a nine-day African American History Institute for local high school students. A team of teachers wrote the curriculum, which included instruction on conducting research, reading primary documents, and writing in the history content area. Professors offered lectures and discussion sessions on topics of local interest. The institute was held on the college/university campus so that students were able to be fully immersed in the college experience.

Each day was divided into three segments: classroom instruction on the curriculum (taught by high school teachers with university graduate assistants], college professors [lectures, guided tours, etc.], and research in the campus library. Students chose a topic related to local African American history, created a thesis statement, and performed research. On the final day, students presented their thesis and research to the group.

When the new school year began, history teachers at the home schools of participating students were contacted and asked to provide oversight and guidance for students to develop their work into a full-fledged research paper. Seniors were given the opportunity to use their work from the institute for their required capstone project.

Our presentation would offer information on the logistics of designing such an institute, tips for writing the curriculum, as well as pitfalls to avoid (learned from experience). S

11:00-11:45a.m.
Syd Golston. President, National Council for the Social Studies. Scottsdale, Arizona. "12 Short Stories for American History Classes." The title tells it all! Join NCSS President Syd Golston to be involved in teaching strategies for using short stories in your US History classes. An accomplished high school teacher, Syd Golston will broaden your range of options for engaging your students. S

12:00-12:45p.m.
Dorothy Hendricks, University of Tennessee, Knoxville "Is it Social Networking or Social Studies? Structuring Student Use of Web-Based Activities." Turn the use of the internet into more than scavenger hunts and virtual fieldtrips. Learn how to use your students' interest in such social networks as Facebook to conduct historical research. Participants will receive information on how to develop and evaluate web-based activities designed to use students' knowledge and skills about the internet to develop higher order thinking skills in the social studies classroom. M,S

Directors Row 2

8:15-9:00a.m.
Maggie Lee. Memphis City Schools. "Social Studies The ESL Way." To teach social studies concepts, English as a Second Language teachers must use a variety of strategies and techniques, incorporating visual, auditory and even kinesthetic modes. This presentation will demonstrate how one ESL teacher teaches the concepts and vocabulary associated with learning about the three branches of government. Handouts will be provided of teacher-generated materials and samples of student work will be shown. E,M

9:15-10:00a.m.
Julie Mitchell. Lake Forest Middle School. Cleveland. "Social Studies--Mayberry Style." Great moments in history deserve to be studied with the assistance of great history scholars. Guided by some of America's all-time greatest historians, this session briefly explores three major historical events and documents: the midnight ride of Paul Revere, the Preamble, and the Emancipation Proclamation. Join me and the cast of The Andy Griffith Show for an entertaining and educational session that will demonstrate ways to incorporate this classic television show favorite into your lessons. You'll have a great time studying social studies--Mayberry style! M,S

10:15-11:00am
Julia Laughlin Belsante. Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum. Nashville. Banjos, Barn Dances, and Blue Suede Shoes: Country Music and Its History. Learn about the Teacher's Guide to the Museum, a new resource designed to help teachers prepare students for a visit to the museum, and to guide reflection upon returning to the classroom. Teachers will have the opportunity to explore the history of country music over time. They will listen to and evaluate sound recordings from a variety of country music's most influential performers, as their students would. All lessons are written to Tennessee State Curriculum Standards. Try out the lessons and talk about how to implement them in your classroom. E,M,S

11:15-Noon
Kelly Wilkerson. Tennessee Historical Society. Nashville. "National History Day in Tennessee: It's Not Just a Day, It's an Experience!"

This session will introduce educators to Tennessee History Day, the state affiliate of the National History Day program. History Day makes history come alive for students in grades 6-12 by engaging them in the process of discovery and interpretation of historical topics. History Day inspires students through exciting competitions and transforms teaching through project-based curriculum and instruction. M ,S

12:15-1:00p.m.
Dr. Stephanie Richards. Tennessee Technological University. Cookeville. "Virtual Field Trips: A Viable Option." What if funding, permission slips, missing other classes and gathering parent volunteers didn't figure into the equation and you could still 'take' your students to see "Washington, D.C.", "The Great Wall of China.", "A Trip to Mt. Fuji", "The African Plains", "Our Solar System" or the "Winchester House"? What would it be like to 'show' students some of our most influential Presidents or How slaves escaped via the Underground Railroad? You can do that by making and/or taking Virtual Field Trips! Come see how we made ours and get links to our VFTs for ready made use in class. Be inspired to make your own VFTs to use in your classes. E,M

Directors Row 3

8:00-8:45a.m.
Dr. Stacey Graham. Middle Tennessee State University. Murfreesboro. "An Awesome Tool for Teachers: The Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources Program" This session will introduce educators to Teaching with Primary Sources, an awesome tool from the Library of Congress that puts primary sources and teacher materials into the hands of educators. Primary source-based learning experiences improve student literacy and critical thinking skills while fulfilling curriculum standards. The Library of Congress is full of ideas on how teachers can create these learning experiences. This session will highlight some of these ideas, and provide participants with handouts and tips on how to access and use a wide range of primary sources from the Library of Congress Web site. E,M,S

9:00-9:45am
David Peterson. Morehead State University. Morehead, KY. The Ohio and Erie Canal. Using slides we will look at a canal boat and the Erie Canal. The transformation of wilderness into civilized areas that would produce new states for a growing nation will be discussed. Economic growth depended on getting materials to market and the canal system would help many areas grow and prosper. We will look at teaching materials and a handout will be provided. M,S

10:00-10:45am
Jeff Ransom. The Bill of Rights Institute. "Presidents and the Constitution: The Uses of Federal Power." Using engaging learning strategies, participants examine primary source documents to analyze the constitutionality of the uses of federal power as expressed by Theodore Roosevelt, Lyndon Johnson and Ronald Reagan. These two lessons, from The Bill of Rights Institute's Presidents and the Constitution, Vol. I curriculum, are provided to all participants. S

11:00-11:45am
Wood Powell. The Goethe-Institute Washington/Transatlantic Outreach Program. Washington, D.C. "Take A Field Trip To Berlin!" Workshop participants will be introduced to the "Field Trip to Berlin" DVD and instructional guide. The DVD runs 24 minutes in length and documents post-WWII German history from 1945 to 2006, from the Potsdam Conference to the World Cup. Participants will use the accompanying instructional guide, demonstrating lessons for before, during, and after viewing the DVD. Participants will also learn about all-expenses-paid study tours to Germany. Complimentary copies of the DVD, instructional guide, and additional materials will be provided. S

12:00-12:45p.m
Tracy Foxx. Lockeland Design Center Elementary. Nashville and Jessica Morris. Jones Paideia Magnet School. Nashville. "Mysteries of the Mayflower." There are many mysteries that lie around the Mayflower, the passengers, and the place where they chose to settle. The Wampanoag and Puritans, two very different groups came together in the fall of 1620 by chance and over time worked together and fought against each other, making history every step of the way. Everyone knows the traditional story of Thanksgiving, but we are about to rock the boat on what really happened in the fall of 1621. The relationship between these two groups spans decades and there are so many mysteries around their relationship and the interactions amongst these people. E,M

Luncheon

1:00-3:00p.m.
Tennessee Southeast AB
Presiding: Dr. Karon Lecompte. President, Tennessee Council for the Social Studies.

Introduction of Speaker. Dr. Karon LeCompte.
Ms. Syd Golston. President. The National Council for the Social Studies.
"The Civic Mission of Social Studies."

Introduction of Speaker. Mr. Kurt Butefish
Ms. Alene Arnold. Executive Director SCORE
"Reforming Education in Tennessee."

Dr. Karon LeCompte. Presentation of Outstanding Social Studies Teacher Awards.

Mr. Kurt Butefish. Presentation of Outstanding Geography Teacher Awards

Visit Publishers and Organizations in the Southeast Ballroom C!