During this session, participants will learn strategies for teaching the 2022 midterm elections. Major issues confronting voters in the midterms will be analyzed; strategies for teaching these and other controversial issues in the classroom will also be discussed. Civics teachers, U.S. history, and other teachers teaching the midterm elections and the American political system will benefit from this session. Guest Speaker: Stephen Armstrong is the social studies consultant for the Connecticut State Department of Education and Past President of the National Council for the…

High school ethnic studies courses that address the perspectives and experiences of people of color are increasingly in demand. The author describes the thematic, inquiry-based approach she developed that reflects her school’s diversity.

This ninth-grade inquiry invites students to analyze arguments about banning certain books while also asking them to consider what makes a book worth reading.  

Join in a discussion about what makes an argument good. Participants will gain a two-step process that students can use to evaluate and strengthen their arguments in argument map form, either solo or in a peer-review process. We will also consider the role of objections and rebuttals in argument development. How We Argue Webinar Series Educators often want to discuss current issues and empower students to engage as active citizens. Yet, when discussing controversial topics, some students rely on unsubstantiated facts or emotional appeals, rather than evidence and reasoning…

Agriculture in the Economics Classroom? It absolutely goes together! Issues of environment, sustainability, food production, population growth, and connections to our local and global communities are essential components of today's ever-changing world, and those same issues directly tie to economics. In this session, participants will learn about online resources, educational websites, teacher programs, student-led virtual partner exchanges, international collaboration opportunities, and community involvement activities that all bring together agriculture and economics. A focus will…

New connections are beginning to be made between technology, civics, and media literacy in courses across the K-12 spectrum. But how do you navigate and find the right tools to use as an educator? In this session, learn about the development of the Cyber Citizenship Portal, a cross-disciplinary portal for K-12 educators, free to all, designed in partnership with the National Association of Media Literacy Education (NAMLE), New America, Cyber Florida, and FCIT.

In this two-part series, teachers will be provided with the tools to promote digital literacy and analyze public policy. Join Allison Norrie, high school social studies teacher for the Fairfield Public Schools, and Stephen Armstrong, past president of the Connecticut Council for the Social Studies and current education consultant for Connecticut’s Department of Education as they share strategies and resources for educators to aid in teaching and monitoring election cycles leading up to and including the upcoming presidential elections of 2024.   Presentation Slides

This webinar is designed for social studies educators at all levels; from upper elementary and middle to secondary and university social studies and literacy methods teachers, instructional coaches, supervisors, and administrators seeking to leverage ChatGPT's strengths while effectively dealing with its limitations. In this webinar, teachers will discover how to effectively integrate ChatGPT into their classroom and instructional practices, how to detect student use of ChatGPT on student essays, as well as enhance students’ learning experience using the concept of “lateral reading” in order…

"America is an exceptional nation built on a Declaration of Independence and a Constitution that offer a rare collection of inalienable rights and guaranteed freedoms: freedom of speech; freedom of religion; freedom to assemble; freedom of the press; the right to vote; the right to appeal; the right to bear arms. But let’s be honest. A “just government” requires the “consent of the governed,” as Jefferson declared. That is the essence of American democracy. But it is an ideal that must be defended and preserved by vigilant civic engagement. Democracy is not a spectator sport! This webinar…

Step into a new experience. Explore the education system from a unique view point: that of Black girls. Adultification has hindered BIPOC children for years. To successfully teach the whole child instructors must be equipped. Learn how to create engaging curriculum that is both culturally and historically responsive. Speaker: Gabrielle Dingle Owens