Thursday, March 27, 2008

NCSS Social Studies Teacher of the Year, April 22

NCSS Social Studies Teacher of the Year Award has been extended--new postmark deadline is April 22, 2008

If you know of an exceptional social studies teacher or are one, then please submit an application for this year's Teacher of the Year Award. Winners will be asked to present a session at the upcoming conference in Houston, TX and will receive a special tribute at an awards reception!!!

Guidelines and criteria for this award can be found on the NCSS website at http://www.socialstudies.org/awards/teaching/. You can download the cover page from the website or email excellence@ncss.org for a copy of the information.

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

CUE-SN Presents: "Simple Broadcasting," 4/3/08

How to Set Up a Simple In-School Broadcast

This CUE-SN presentation is a basic introduction to the nuts and bolts of setting up an IN-SCHOOL Broadcast.

Agenda
  • Goals of Broadcast
  • How to Connect the Modulator to DVD, Camera, VCR, etc.
  • Connect the Portable Encoder for the Video over IP systems (Schools built from 2006 to present only)
  • Software for Editing Video
  • Teleprompters
  • Examples of Student Work
  • Presentation by Ken Baird from Visual Communication Systems

When: Thursday April 3, 2008 from 4:30 - 6pm
Where: Burkholder MS Room 210

RSVP or for more information contact Craig Cuddihy on InterAct or 702-799-1010 ext.5359

Monday, March 24, 2008

Geographic Alliance in Nevada Summer Institute

I highly encourage you to consider participating in the Geographic Alliance in Nevada's (GAIN) Alliance Summer Geography Institute (ASGI). The institute includes two weeks of training in geography content and instruction and takes place in both Las Vegas (content/instruction) and Reno (field experiences). This year's institute will be June 9-20, 2008. Contact Herb Thompson (GeoMan) for more information and applications.

We the People Summer Institute

I highly recommend all teachers participate in the below advertised institute. I attended last year and found it to be an incredibly enjoyable and educational experience. You may find information about last year's institute at another of my blogs: "Keeler Thoughts and Conference Notes."

We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution
NEVADA/CALIFORNIA SUMMER INSTITUTE
July 27 – August 3, 2008
Sierra Nevada College, Incline Village, NV

ABOUT THE INSTITUTE
We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution helps students understand the history and principles of our constitutional government. The program focuses on the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights and fosters civic competence and responsibility among upper elementary, middle, and high school students in public and private schools nationwide.

The Nevada/California institute is a rigorous professional development program that brings educators to Sierra Nevada College to work with constitutional scholars from a variety of disciplines. Participants complete academic readings, attend morning lectures, and participate in afternoon sessions dedicated to the content and teaching methods, appropriate to the We the People curriculum. At the close of the institute, they also participate in a culminating activity modeled on the We the People simulated congressional hearing, an authentic assessment strategy.

The following topics are addressed in the lectures and teaching methods and assessment sessions:
  • What are the historical and philosophical foundations of the American political system?
  • How did the Framers create the Constitution?
  • How did the values and principles embodied in the Constitution shape American institutions
  • and practices?
  • How have the protections of the Bill of Rights been developed and expanded?
  • What rights does the Bill of Rights protect?
  • What are the roles of the citizen in the American democracy?
WHO CAN APPLY
Educators from schools throughout the state of Nevada and northern California are eligible to apply. Enrollment is limited to thirty teachers from upper elementary, middle and high schools, both public and private. Applications are due May 1, 2008 with notification of acceptance by May 15, 2008.

BENEFITS
Participants will receive AT NO COST
  • Airfare or other transportation costs (up to $150)
  • Lodging and meals
  • A library of congressional literature
  • A set of textbooks and other materials for the classroom
LOCATION
Sierra Nevada College is located in Incline Village, Nevada, about one-mile from the shore of Lake Tahoe, at an elevation of 6,700 feet above sea level. While many view the Lake Tahoe Basin as a recreational wonderland made up of world-class resorts and intense natural beauty, Sierra Nevada College views Tahoe as a laboratory for learning, where altitude and attitude come together to create a truly unique atmosphere.

OBLIGATION
Participation in the institute, considered to be professional development worth more than $3000, obligates the recipient to conduct a simulated congressional hearing in his or her classroom. State, regional and congressional district coordinators for We the People will assist with the hearing and other aspects of program implementation.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
David Richmond [(661) 871-5636 ] , California State Coordinator (We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution)

Draft Social Studies Standards for the State of Nevada

This message is from Stephanie Hartman, Social Studies Coordinator for the State of Nevada.

“The Nevada Social Studies Standards have been revised and a draft copy is now available for public comment. Public comment will be open from March 4, 2008 to April 4, 2008. The revised standards may be found at: http://www.doe.nv.gov/standards/socialstudies/standards_revision.html

The Social Studies Standards Revision Team has been meeting since last August to provide teachers, students, administrators, and parents with a revised Social Studies Standards document. Several issues guided the work of this team:
First, the document needed to be user friendly and teachable for all teachers. This issue guided the decision to combine the old social studies standards document into one document. In addition, the four content area standards have been numbered sequentially to demonstrate the belief that social studies is an interdisciplinary content area.
Second, standards and benchmarks were combined and subsumed within each content area so that teachers could effectively teach the standards and benchmarks in a school year.
Third, the document is now laid out in a K - 12 continuum so that teachers can read the content across the grades to see what students should have learned before and after a specific grade.
Finally, the group focused on the idea that the standards and benchmarks are not meant to be curriculum, but instead, to provide a framework for guidance to districts in the development of an appropriate and comprehensive social studies curriculum.

For questions, please contact Stephanie Hartman at (775) 687-2450 or at shartman@doe.nv.gov.”

2008 George Washington Teachers’ Institute, Applications due April 4, 2008

This message is from Stephanie Hartman, Social Studies Coordinator for the State of Nevada.

George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens is pleased to announce that through the generous support of the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation, Nevada educators are now eligible to attend the George Washington Teachers’ Institute. Now in its tenth year, the Institute provides a one-week study program at George Washington’s home, Mount Vernon, in northern Virginia for ten Nevada teachers from public and non-public schools, teaching in grades three through twelve.

The Institute’s weeklong program provides an intensive immersion study of George Washington and his world. The curriculum includes discussions led by noted Washington scholars and hands-on workshops exploring Washington’s life and interests at Mount Vernon. Participating teachers will meet with Mount Vernon’s historians, curators, and educators; and will spend a day in Philadelphia, Colonial Williamsburg or Washington’s hometown of Alexandria, Virginia exploring 18th century colonial life and politics. Through study, discussion, tours, and projects, participants will gain a new and deeper understanding of the life and character of George Washington and his unique legacy in creating and shaping the principles of America’s democracy.

This year, they are providing an abbreviated workshop format for lower elementary teachers. The workshop is an intensive three day, hands-on learning experience for teachers of grades 3 – 5.

Upon completing the Institute’s study program, teachers are required to prepare a lesson plan, suitable for publication and distribution to teachers across the nation, providing engaging, quality guidance on teaching about the life and contributions of George Washington. Teachers are also required to conduct a seminar for their colleagues in their home districts to share the information they have gained at the Institute.

Teachers enrolled in the Institute will reside in lodgings on the grounds of historic Mount Vernon, within sight of Washington’s Mansion. The Institute will provide each participating teacher with room and board during the Institute and a stipend of up to $350.00 to offset travel expenses.

Institute Dates:
High School: July 19 – 25, 2008
Middle School: July 8 – 14, 2008
Elementary School (Grades 3 – 5): June 24 – June 27, 2008
Elementary/Middle School (Grades 5 – 8): August 2 – 8, 2008

The Donald W. Reynolds Foundation is a national philanthropic organization founded in 1954 by the late media entrepreneur for whom it is named. Headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada, it is one of the largest private foundations in the United States.

Contact Stephanie Hartman for more information and a Nevada application.

CCSD's Web2 4U Conference

You are encouraged to attend the 21st Century Technology Conference presented by the Clark County School District.

Friday, May 16, 2008 - Saturday, May 17, 2008

Foothill High School (800 College Drive, Henderson, Nevada 89002)

Registration available online.

My Hero Project Media Arts Curriculum and Short Film Festival

My Hero Project is a website that offers students opportunities to write about and publish biographies of their personal heroes. In addition to providing the basic forum, the organization is running a Media Arts Curriculum and Short Film Festival. In addition to accepting student-developed pictures and videos, they also accept audio entries.

You may access the following online:
The grand prize winner will receive $2,000. The deadline date for applications is June 15, 2008.

Note: There is a charge for submitting entries to the contest. There is NOT a charge for posting "My Hero" content on the My Hero Project website.

CUE-SN Accepts Submissions for the 2008 Multimedia Festival

Computer-Using Educators of Southern Nevada is now accepting invitations for its Fifth Annual Student Multimedia Festival Competition. The theme for this year's competition is "Explorations."

Entry categories include grade level (K-5, 6-8, 9-12), media category (computer generated, audio/video), and entry category (subject-area, non-subject area).

Applications are due March 31, 2008 and may be acquired here.

Contact Cynthia Ochoa with questions regarding entries, judging, and the festival.

Monday, March 3, 2008

Nevada Social Studies Standards: Revision Document Available for Review

The following memorandum was written by Stephanie Hartman:

The Nevada Social Studies Standards have been revised and a draft copy is now available for public comment. Public comment will be open from March 4, 2008 to April 4, 2008. The revised standards may be found at: http://www.doe.nv.gov/standards/socialstudies/standards_revision.html

The Social Studies Standards Revision Team has been meeting since last August to provide teachers, students, administrators, and parents with a revised Social Studies Standards document. Several issues guided the work of this team:
  • First, the document needed to be user friendly and teachable for all teachers. This issue guided the decision to combine the old social studies standards document into one document. In addition, the four content area standards have been numbered sequentially to demonstrate the belief that social studies is an interdisciplinary content area.
  • Second, standards and benchmarks were combined and subsumed within each content area so that teachers could effectively teach the standards and benchmarks in a school year.
  • Third, the document is now laid out in a K - 12 continuum so that teachers can read the content across the grades to see what students should have learned before and after a specific grade.
  • Finally, the group focused on the idea that the standards and benchmarks are not meant to be curriculum, but instead, to provide a framework for guidance to districts in the development of an appropriate and comprehensive social studies curriculum.
For questions, please contact Stephanie Hartman at (775) 687-2450 or at shartman@doe.nv.gov.