National Council for the Social Studies is proud to be a member of the Library of Congress' Teaching with Primary Sources (TPS) Consortium. The TPS Consortium is comprised of national, state, and regional education organizations supported by funding from the Library of Congress to develop and disseminate learning programs and resources using the Library's vast primary source collections.

With the support of a TPS grant, NCSS has created three online texts, one co-branded with the Library of Congress and two methods texts for Elementary (K-6) and Secondary (6-12), with turnkey professional development for faculty teaching in college and university departments of education. The texts combine Library of Congress resources with the C3 Framework, which emphasizes an inquiry approach to teaching social studies. We are looking for a diverse set of writers to accomplish this goal. If accepted, you will join a writing team of scholars that are college and university faculty and pre-service teacher mentors in K-12 classrooms with experience in elementary (Grades K-6) or secondary (Grades 6-12) methods instruction.

Under the general direction of a Project Editor, writers will research and write additional sections on teaching social studies with primary sources from the Library of Congress. The chapters will be aligned to the NCSS Strategic Plan, specifically focused on Priority #4: Inclusiveness, Elevating Marginal Voices and Untold Narratives, as well as Dimension 4 of the C3 Framework: Taking Informed Action. Drafting of text begins from September 2021-November 2021. Field-testing and reviews will take place between December 2021-July 2022, in which the final version of the text will be completed by Fall 2022 and posted on the NCSS website.

Writing team members also have the option to facilitate professional NCSS development webinars, NCSS Annual Conference sessions, and/or an NCSS TPS regional summer institute under the direction of a Lead Coach. Writing team members will be paid an honorarium and reimbursed for travel expenses.

If you are interested in joining our writing team, please complete the NCSS TPS Writing Team Application. The application deadline is 11:59 pm Hawaiian Time on Thursday, September 30, 2021. All applicants will be notified on or before Friday, October 15, 2021.

Your completed application must include the following information:

• A brief bio (1-2 paragraphs) to be used in the project’s promotional material.
• A statement of relevant experience in designing curriculum, authoring chapters or complete texts for social studies methods instruction, supervising pre-service teachers in a K-12 classroom, and providing professional development or instruction on social studies methods to pre-service teachers.
• Demonstrated understanding of NCSS, the C3 Framework, and the National Standards for the Preparation of Social Studies Teachers.
• Demonstrated understanding of how to use primary source documents in social studies curriculum development, instruction, assessment, and professional development.
• Strong knowledge of and pedagogical experience with the primary source collections available from the Library of Congress’ digital library.
• A statement of interest in facilitating one or more professional development for turn-key training on the online methods texts during one of three NCSS programs: a regional summer institute (Summer 2022 TBD), webinars (2022-23 school year), and/or the NCSS Annual Conference (December 2022 in Philadelphia).
• A current CV or résumé outlining professional experiences related to this project (max. 2-3 pages).
• A published work such as a writing sample or social studies lesson plan for one or more grades (K-12) that includes primary sources and inquiry-based learning aligned to the C3 Framework. 
• A proposed title and abstract for a chapter in either the elementary (grades K-6) or secondary (grades 6-12) online methods text (max. 1 page), which elevates marginalized voices. Special consideration will be given to chapters topics based in Geography, Economics, or traditional topics presented in a critical way (holidays, community helpers, citizenship), and/or Families (found/chosen, etc.).

Writing team participants considered will be those who raise the voices of all social studies professionals in an organization whose culture is inclusive and where all voices are encouraged, supported, and celebrated.

For any questions, please contact Dr. Lawrence Paska, NCSS Executive Director and TPS Project Director, at lpaska@ncss.org or 301-850-7451.

TPS Writing Team Application

About NCSS

Founded in 1921, National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) is the largest professional association in the country devoted solely to social studies education. NCSS engages and supports educators in strengthening and advocating social studies. With members in all the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and 35 countries, NCSS serves as an umbrella organization for elementary, secondary, and college teachers of history, civics, geography, economics, political science, sociology, psychology, anthropology, and law-related education. The NCSS membership represents K-12 classroom teachers, college and university faculty members, curriculum designers and specialists, social studies supervisors, and leaders in the various disciplines that constitute the social studies. Membership in the National Council for the Social Studies is open to any person or institution interested in the social studies.

National Council for the Social Studies

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