We heard from the following highlights from Cobb teachers who attended the 2009 National Council for Social Studies Conference:
Pam Sanford-Jones, 4th grade, Bryant Int., wrote “Three Things I HATED about the NCSS”: “1. With so many good options, how was I supposed to choose a block to attend?!? 2. All the free materials I received were HEAVY! 3. I was reading from a new book I was given as I walked to the next block, and a police man on a bike almost hit me! (This last point is actually true.) I just wanted to say thank you for letting me attend this conference! I was thrilled to bring back many items that will add to our study of explorers! Just this morning, I sent a package to Pine Mountain of items dealing with Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. I look forward to sharing my info about the National Archives with the group, as well as "Docs in a Box", a group funded by the archives. My greatest discovery was that Cobb County has a lot of gifted folks right here! I enjoyed hearing a fella from Dickerson talk about simulations, and other local teachers as well! My students will be more productive and engaged because of the strategies and tools they've given me!”
Oneida (Ann) Reynolds, 3rd grade, Argyle Elem.,wrote: “The speakers were excellent. I particularly enjoyed 2 workshops I attended: One on economics and the other on Social Activism. I have applied for a grant to teach my students economics in a very hands on and practical way. The economics workshop was exactly what I want to do. If I receive the grant, I can buy their how to manuals and posters. They gave us a DVD which is right on my third graders's level. I can't wait to implement the project as it will also help to reinforce skills in Math and other areas of the curricula.” She added, "The "Mini Economy Project" is a great way to teach economics, while helping students to increase their computation and problem solving skills. Students learn about goods and services, and being producers and consumers, in a hands on way using playdough. They also learn about how to balance needs and wants with earned income, by sticking to a budget." 
Kari Reeve, 5th grade, Lewis Elem., and Amber Little, 4th grade, Lewis Elem. said they can’t wait to share about “what Dennis Denninburg spoke on. We feel that this really stretches across all elementary grade levels. We will do a ziplock bag quilt among other things. I am researching his website and we will send you a flyer we got from him. We will also share his 50 American Heroes book as we both now have one.”
Glenda Surrency, Kindergarten, Fair Oaks Elem., wrote: “It was a great meeting. I will ‘sacrifice’ and go to the one next year in Denver..lol...(seriously).I got lots of catalogues for our Media specialist and bought more books than I should have...as usual! Thanks again.”
Donna Birdsong, 5th grade, Argyle Elem., wrote: “I really enjoyed the conference. Thank you so much for the free admission. I was so moved by Chadwick "Corntassel" Smith the Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. The information he shared about the survival and perseverance of the Cherokee Nation was immeasurably important. I would like to share excerpts from his speech with teachers at the meeting.”
Alice Henry, Kindergarten, Bryant Primary, “I consider my time at the NCSS this weekend a life changing experience. I met a lot of interesting people from all over the world. And learned a lot of interesting things I am already excited about the Denver Conference next year. What a deal [joining GCSS was!] I only wish more of my teacher friends were with me this weekend.”
Keva Hammond, Reading Recovery and Title I Parent Facilitator at Dowell Elem., writes: “This was my very first time attending the NCSS Conference and what a privilege it was. I am 1/2 day Reading Recovery and 1/2 day parent facilitator at my school. I chose to attend some of the sessions that dealt with teaching children about diversity in efforts to meet the needs of our growing, diverse school. I also have an interest in learning about other cultures as well. One session that I attended was about teaching cultural diversity with food. It was an awesome geograpy lesson which included the use of maps. Some of the lessons that I saw would make excellent parent workshops. What a wonderful way to bridge the gap between school and community. Everyone likes food :-).”
From Ariel Simpson, 4th grade, Green Acres, we heard: "I enjoyed every aspect of the NCSS. From listening to the authors of notable trade books explain their vision behind their stories to engaging in painting an ancient Inca civilization artifact! Most beneficial for me was listening to the various sessions of veteran teachers explain what strategies they use in the classroom to teach Social Studies that works and is engaging for the students! One thing I learned that other teachers could really benefit from is teaching economics to K-5. I am a third year teacher so teaching economics for the first time last year to 4th graders in a way that they would comprehend was a tremendous task! After sitting in the Herschel session about using play doh to help teach students the basic concept of economics was very enlightening."
Cheri Craft, 4th grade at Sedalia Park, said: "There were many great presentations at the convention. Trudy Ludwig’s books about teaching children to get along with others are outstanding. She really knows how to present the data concerning bullying. I’ve already made sure I drag out the maps during every lesson to help build children’s geographical sense."
Sheila Fisher, 5th grade, Cheatham Hill, wrote: "I am not the social studies contact for my school, but I was given the privilege of attending the conference. I am attaching the power point for the presentation I attended on The Civil Rights Movement. The presenters did an excellent job of tying in the music of the time period along with the book The Watsons Go to Birmingham. Even though the music is not embedded in the email version, it is still a powerful presentation. I am sure the music can be linked again. Download Children Making a Difference e-mail version
I also took a picture with 2 authors at the conference. 
One of the books I particularly liked was Half a Spoon of Rice. It tells the story of the killing fields in Cambodia and the enslavement of the people. I thought I could compare that story to either slavery in American or immigration. Once again, thank you for the opportunity to attend the conference."
Lyssa Sahadevan, 1st grade teacher at East Side, wrote: "The highlight of the conference for me was attending Dennis Denenburg's session on the 50 Heroes all kids should know. He was very enthusiastic about social studies and the importance of delivering information in a fun way to students of any age. My favorite idea was the 'hero vest.' He suggested having students make a vest about the hero you are currently studying. On the paper vest, the students should have a picture (magazine, computer, drawn) of the hero. There should be a section for character traits and contributions. There should be representations of the period of time the hero lived. As a challenge, you could have students add how the world would be different if the hero would not have existed. Another first grade teacher and I decided a 'hero vest' would make a great summative assessment and look forward to using this purposeful idea very soon! :) Thank you again for allowing me to attend the conference. It was great!"
Carla A. Jacobs, of Milford Elementary, reflected that "The 2009 NCSS conference was a time to reflect and ponder how my perspective and understanding of social studies influences how I teach social studies. The first session I attended emphasized the importance of realizing that cause and effect isn’t as cut and dry as we would like it to be. For example, we often teach the causes and effects of the Civil War. Yet all the causes of the Civil War that we teach like slavery and states rights all existed 100 to 200 years earlier. As an elementary teacher, I need to be cautious about what seeds I am planting when I teach events of history because when the event was happening the people didn’t say, “If we do this then this will happen.” They were living in their present without the benefit of the hindsight we have years later.
I also reflected upon why I teach and how I teach. Dennis Denneberg reminded all the participants of the joy that comes with finding our artistry as a teacher. He encouraged everyone to make our lessons come alive with personality and story telling. Whatever your artistry is share it with your students!
Another perspective challenging session was on maps. How could maps have different perspectives? Did you know or have you recently thought about that the earth is a sphere and the maps we use in the classroom are usually flat. Since the maps are flat the mapmakers have to decide how to make the land masses and oceans look on a flat surface. Did you know some maps are biased to the USA and Europe, and make these areas larger than they really are? Africa is large enough to fit all the USA and Europe inside with lots of room to spare, yet biased maps show Africa as quite small compared to their western counterparts.
When was the last time you included an art, music, or theater standard in your lessons? Or coordinated with the specialists to enhance your social studies curriculum? Presenters from California shared how they have kept the arts alive in their elementary schools despite severe budget cutbacks. What a neat way to meet standards and plan lessons that touch multiple intelligences.
Finally the key-note speaker, the author of “Three Cups of Tea” spoke to the gathering. His inspirational story of how one person has affected change in our world was an encouragement that no matter how young or old we all have important contributions to make to our sphere of influence.
The conference was a wonderful experience that provided the opportunity to grow as a teaching professional and to expand my perspective on teaching social studies."
Other amazing speakers were Congressman John Lewis, and Greg Mortenson, author of Three Cups of Tea. We will be sharing more about what we learned at our Social Studies Contact meeting on Tuesday, December 1st.
