Conference Program Information

93rd NCSS Annual Conference
November 22-24, 2013, St. Louis, MO

The 93rd NCSS Annual Conference is your opportunity to rejuvenate your teaching strategies and collaborate with some of the leaders in social studies education. When you attend the conference, you will:

Learn from over 500 presentations by the leading social studies researchers and practitioners

Receive classroom-ready lessons

Interact with well known speakers and educators as they share their ideas, experiences, and knowledge

Earn college credit

Share teaching strategies and solutions with peers, building your own learning community around topics that matter to you

Discover the latest teaching products and services

The conference will feature over 400 presentations, addressing the Conference Subthemes:

Common Core: Content Area Reading, Writing, and Social Studies (key theme)
The social studies provide key contributions to common core literacy skills. Social Studies standards can enhance teaching and be used as a guide for future social studies curriculum development. A major focus of the conference will be on how the "Vision for College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework for Inquiry in Social Studies State Standards" and the "Common Core Standards for English Language Arts and LIteracy in History/Social Studies" provide a rich environment for collaboration and enhanced student achievement.

Global Competencies, Global Perspectives
As the world becomes increasingly interdependent, students will need entirely new says of thinking and skill sets. Cross-cultural collaboration skills will be a necessity. Educators need up-to-date understanding of the rapidly changing social, political, and economic forces driving a global society. Receive innovative, collaborative, and rigorous methods for preparing our students for the challenges of a globally interconnected world.

Sustainable Social Studies
Sustainability resides at the intersection of a vibrant economy, an equitable society, and a healthy environment in the interest of meeting present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Educators must ensure that students have the ability to use their knowledge of their community, nation, and world to make informed and reasoned decisions for the public good. We face such unprecedented challenges as climate change, human rights, food and water shortages, environmental degradation, conflict, social justice, and global health issues which must be addressed through critical and creative thinking and innovative problem solving. Learn how to apply lessons of the past, the experiences and needs of the present, and visions of the future to help students acquire the habits of mind necessary to participate as citizens working toward a sustainable future.

Sports in History
Sports provide a window into the attitudes and beliefs of the past. In American history, the growth of sports teams helped to foster civic pride, community identity, and avenues for success. Topics such as racial integration, local history, gender issues, and economics can be studied through the lens of collegiate and professional sports. Get ideas on how to help students make connections between sport and society.

Music, Popular Culture, and the Study of History
Music, movies, and television allow individuals to explore the values and beliefs of the period in which the song, film, or television show was created. Artistic expression in its many forms becomes rich source material for students of history. Explore ways that songs, film, and other forms of popular culture can help students better understand and contextualize periods in history.

Social Justice
Human history is marked with the ongoing quest for social, economic, and political rights and opportunities. Full and equal civic participation is a primary goal of public education. Our students should have a clear sense of their rights and responsibilities as citizens, and should also be prepared to challenge injustice and promote the common good. Learn techniques on how to challenges students to make a difference.