Resources
Teaching Resources for the State of the Union Address
President Barack Obama presents the 2012 State of the Union address to Congress on January 24, 2012.
Here are two resources to help with lessons related to the address. --> read more »
NCSS Online Teachers' Library-U.S. History Collection
NCSS has selected a collection of classroom activities, teaching ideas, and articles on U.S. History from Social Education, Middle Level Learning, and Social Studies and the Young Learner. Browse the collection, or search by historical period and grade level
Go to the NCSS Teachers' Library
Social Studies Trade Books
Now available for everyone: back issues of the "Notables List." The Notable Trade Books for Young People list is published each year as an insert to the May/June issue of Social Education. This year's list is a members-only benefit, but several past issues can be downloaded free as PDFs.
Download notable book lists
Setting the standards
Expect excellence from your students and yourself. The NCSS standards for curriculum--and teacher education--are the framework used nationwide for educational excellence.
NCSS Curriculum Standards (summary)
NCSS Teacher Standards
War and Terrorism
Free articles and lesson plans will help you teach about current events such as the war in Iraq and terrorism.
Lesson plans about War and Terrorism
Free articles from Social Education
Cloture Motion to Cease Debate on 1964 Civil Rights Bill (Teaching with Documents, pp. 288-291, Vol. 74, No.6 Nov/Dec 2010)
Lee Ann Potter
Students will gain a deeper understanding of legislative tactics like the filibuster when they study the featured document—the Senate motion that broke a 55-day filibuster against the Civil Rights Act.
Defending Academic Freedom: Advice for Teachers" (pp. 310-315, Vol. 74, No.6 Nov/Dec 2010).
Michael D. Simpson
There are actions teachers can take to strengthen their right to teach controversial issues.
An Approach to Integrating Writing Skills into the Social Studies Classroom. (pp. 17–21,Vol. 75, No.1 Jan/Feb 2011)
Veronica M. Zagora
When teachers incorporate writing regularly in the social studies classroom, students not only become better prepared for reading and writing assessments, but gain a deeper comprehension of social studies content.
Other Resources
9-11 Commemoration Resources
2011 marks the 10th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. NCSS has collected resources from its journals Social Education, Social Studies and the Young Learner, and Middle Level Learning that teachers can use when preparing to teach about 9-11 and acknowledge the upcoming anniversary. Also listed are several additional online resources. --> read more »
Federal Courts' New Educational Tools
The federal courts’ Internet site offers classroom-ready and courtroom-ready resources in multimedia formats on its Educational Resources page. Topics include cyberbullying, texting while driving, and downloading music on the Internet. Bill of Rights programs and resources deal with teen-relevant First and Fourth Amendment scenarios based on Supreme Court decisions. --> read more »
Let Freedom Swing -- Curriculum on Jazz and Democracy
Let Freedom Swing is a curriculum that explores the many relationships between jazz and democracy. In anticipation of President Obama’s inauguration in January 2009, former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor and musician, composer, educator and Artistic Director of Jazz at Lincoln Center Wynton Marsalis teamed up for a concert at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. --> read more »
Census 2010
Censuses are a wonderful snapshot of the population of the United States, They offer a treasure trove of demographic and social information that facilitates discussion of many historical and contemporary topics in social studies classes.
For the 2010 Census, all U.S. households should by now have received a census form with 10 questions about the number of people living in the household on April 1, as well as their gender, age and race.
Here are three articles on the census from recent NCSS publications.
--> read more »
National Financial Capability Challenge
The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the U.S. Department of Education have teamed up to launch the National Financial Capability Challenge for 2010.
The Challenge is an initiative designed to engage educators in the teaching of personal finance, and to increase the financial knowledge and capability of high school aged youth across the United States so they can take control over their financial futures. All high school teachers (and other educators) are encouraged to sign up, prepare their students, and administer the voluntary online exam to help reach the goal of 1 million high school students taking the Challenge this year. Educators and top-scoring students in each school will earn personalized award certificates and states with the highest participation rates will also be recognized.
--> read more »
ICT Literacy Maps
In collaboration with NCSS and other content area organizations, the Partnership for 21st Century Skills developed a series of ICT Literacy Maps illustrating the intersection between Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Literacy and core academic subjects.
Teaching American History Grant Resources
A Teaching American History Grant offers exciting prospects for enduring and meaningful professional development experiences. Here are some of our suggestions for how NCSS can provide some of these professional development opportunities. --> read more »
PBS Newshour the.News’s YOU.report Student Video Competition
“Made in Washington” – how a decision or policy of the federal government impacts your local community -- is the theme of a new high school and middle school student-generated video competition. --> read more »
Inauguration Resources for PBS "the.News"
The ninth the.News feature in the.Vote/the.Gov series launches next Wednesday 1/14 with a historical look at Inaugural "firsts." Starting with the Constitutional Mandate for this event as well as traditions developed over time, the report will cover the first President to take the oath of office in Washington DC; the first to be inaugurated at the U.S. --> read more »
National Mock Election
On October, 30 2008 students from across the country will be joining the National Student/Parent Mock Election (NSPME) to vote for their candidates of choice. This national-voter education program for students and their parents gives young Americans the chance to make their voices heard in the electoral process. --> read more »
My College Options
My College Options is a comprehensive, FREE online college planning service. It allows students to be a part of a proven higher education pipeline that opens up numerous educational opportunities. Every student that participates will have a vital advantage in their career and college search.
Election Resources
Need help teaching the election? The October issue of Social Education will focus on the 2008 Election. NCSS has also put together a list of materials from NCSS and links to web sites that can help you in your classroom. --> read more »
Powerful and Authentic Social Studies
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