NCSS News

NCSS

Social Studies: Is it "History"? NCSS President Gayle Thieman and Past President Peggy Altoff articulate the devastating impact of NCLB on social studies teaching in an article published in the District Admiminstration March 2008 issue.
Read the Article

NCSS

Lesson: Election Choices 2008!
Click here for a free lesson plan "Making Choices: An Exploration of Political Preferences" recently published in Middle Level Learning. Students must choose between foods. Then they grapple with the complexities of presidential candidates' policy positions. The lesson uses summaries by ProCon.org, which tracks the candidates' statements on many controversial issues.

NCSS

NCSS sends letter to a key subcommittee of the U.S. House of Representatives to urge adequate investment in programs vital to social studies.
To view the letter, go to http://www.socialstudies.org/news.

NCSS

Confirming what we already know!!!
The Center on Education Policy released a report on February 20 with the results of a survey of 349 school systems across the country. It provides evidence that the 2002 No Child Left Behind law has led many elementary schools to spend more time on reading and math and less on social studies, science, art and recess. The report states, “Of the districts that both increased time for ELA or math and reduced time in other subjects more than half (53%) of these districts cut instructional time by at least 75 minutes per week in social studies”. For the press release and complete report, go to http://www.cep-dc.org.

NCSS

Virtual Congress needs your input!
Virtual Congress, an online computer game currently in development, will let students participate in a “virtual world” Congress that functions very much like the real one. The Center on Congress at Indiana University is creating this new learning environment to give students an insider’s view of representative democracy and help them understand their role as citizens. High school and college/university teachers are being asked for their opinions regarding this newest type of teaching tool.

Take the survey! Click Here to take survey

Learn more about Virtual Congress

NCSS

Why We Need to Save (and Strengthen) Social Studies
A commentary by NCSS member Judith L. Pace on NCLB and its effect on social studies from Education Week
Read the Article

NCSS

Advocating for Social Studies: Documenting the Decline and Doing Something About It
Three North Carolina educators set out to meet with lawmakers in person about the negative effects of NCLB on teaching elementary social studies. An advocacy handout provides tips for other educators wanting to take their own initiatives.
Download this important article from the September 2007 issue of Social Education

NCSS

How about writing on something other than a blackboard?
We're looking for great teacher-tested classroom ideas for NCSS Publications! Share your lesson plans and teaching ideas with social studies educators across the nation by submitting a manuscript.
Learn more about submitting manuscripts

NCSS

Latest professional development
Our Professional Development section lists ways to strengthen your career. Here's the latest item:

From Anime to Pokémon: Using Pop Culture to Teach About Japan
Ohio Chautauqua 2008: Inventors and Innovators Summer Institute
The NEH Landmarks of American History Landmarks Workshop

See more professional development listings