Elementary Social Studies in Cobb County

WELCOME!

Thanks for dropping in to Cobb County's Elementary Social Studies blog. At this blog, you can:

• find ideas for teaching our GPS
• keep up with the latest Social Studies news
• hear what fellow teachers are doing
• download support materials to help you with assessment
• and generally stay informed about all things Social Studies.   

We're working hard to make this site friendly and useful, so let us know if something works for you...or it it doesn't. Feel free to share your ideas for making the site work better.

As you know: Social Studies Teachers have ISSUES, so let us know yours.    

Enjoy,

JoAnn Wood, Elementary Social Studies Supervisor 

Reading the Past; Building the Future      

Teaching About 9-11: Resources for you!

Resources for Teaching 9-11*

This September marks the 11 year anniversary of 9-11. You may find the following websites and books helpful as you are teaching about this event. Note that our GPS only includes teaching about 9-11 at the 5th grade level, and even at that age you need to choose resources carefully and guide discussion thoughtfully.

Children’s Literature about 9-11 (useful for both younger and older students)

Fireboat: The Heroic Adventures of the John J. Harvey by Maria Kalman. A fireboat, launched in 1931, is retired after many years of fighting fires along the Hudson River, but is saved from being scrapped and then called into service again on September 11, 2001.

New York’s Bravest by Mary Pope Osborne. This tale of a 19th century urban folk hero, Mose the firefighter, represents the courage and strength of firefighters throughout history. Dedicated to the firefighters who gave their lives on September 11, 2001, the book offers an opportunity to discuss the events of that day in a more oblique way.

The Man Who Walked Between the Towers by Mordicai Gerstein. A lovely tale memorializing the French aerialist, Phillipe Petit, who performed on a tightrope stretched between the World Trade Center towers in 1974. The author refers to the events of September 11, 2001, only on the last page of this book, but voices a subtle and moving elegy for what has been lost and the memories that remain.

This Place I Know: Poems of Comfort  Selected by Georgia Heard & illustrated by 18 renowned picture book artists. A beautiful and healing collection of children’s poems and illustrations.

Messages to Ground Zero: Children Respond to September 11, 2001 Collected by Shelley Harwayne with the New York City Board of Education. Writings and drawings of children attempting to make sense of the incomprehensible tragedies of September 11, 2001. Primary sources!

NCSS Journal Articles On Teaching 9-11

Chick, Kay A. “Making Meaning for Children: The Events of 9-11,” Social Studies and the Young Learner, 17, no. 1 (2004): 25-29.

Hess, Diana and Jeremy Stoddard, “9-11 and Terrorism: ‘The Ultimate Teachable Moment’ in Textbooks and Supplemental Curricula” Social Education, 71, no. 5 (2007): 231-236.

Web Resources for Teaching 9-11 REMEMBER TO PREVIEW SITES BEFORE USING WITH STUDENTS

The Clarke Center at Dickinson College:  www.teaching9-11.org

Foreign Policy Research Institute: www.fpri.org/education/teachingwaronterror/

Library of Congress Sept. 11, 2001, Documentary Project:  http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/collections/911_archive

The Sept. 11 Digital Archive:  http://911digitalarchive.org

* Adapted from an article in the July 2011 News & Notes newsletter from the Georgia Council for Social Studies.

Constitution Day, 2012 - Monday, Sept. 17

We are required by a 2005 act of Congress, as educational institutions receiving federal funding, to observe September 17th as Constitution Day, which celebrates the 1787 signing of our founding document. This year Constitution Day is recognized on Monday, Sept. 17th.

According to the guidelines put forth by the Department of Education, teachers and schools are free to design Constitution Day programming that best addresses the needs of their students. I hope you will find ideas you can use at your school. Don't limit yourselves to just one day. Please share with me how your school recognizes this important landmark day.

Here are some links to resources for Constitution Day:

K-5

Constitution Day Grades K-5
The Constitutional Rights Foundation: good lesson plans
http://www.crf-usa.org/constitution-day/constitution-day-lesson-plans-kindergarten-middle-and-high-school.html

See "Mr. Madison Needs Some Help" for good activity for Preamble, compare/contrast the Articles of Confederation with the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights, especially the First Amendment, AND "Trouble in Gold Flats" for lesson ideas on consequences of lack of law and authority.

The National Archives
http://www.archives.gov/national-archives-experience/charters/constitution.html

The Signers of the Constitution
http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/constitution-day/signers.html

The Constitution Game
http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/constitution-day/game.html

The Constitution Center - Teacher Resources   http://constitutioncenter.org/education/educators/learning-resources/

News From Our Friends at the Cobb Youth Museum

As you know, the Cobb Youth Museum has worked to bring history to life for thousands of students from Cobb schools for the past 40 years. The museum's program, entitled America's Pathways to Independence, is most suited to the 4th grade social studies curriculum.

Recent budgetary belt tightening has meant that our students must pay for tours or rely on sponsors to provide funding. I hope that you, as a Cobb educator, will do all you can to support the museum to ensure its survival for future fourth graders.

Letters have gone out to teachers/schools who participated in the past about next year's program. On Thursday, March 1, the museum will begin taking reservations for 2012-2013 school year. Visit the website at www.theyouthmuseum.org When you are ready to choose dates, check the calendar on the "Availability" page. Call the museum Monday through Friday, 8:30 A.M. - 1:30 P.M. at 770-427-2563 to make your reservation.

Below is a flyer with more information:

 

 

Readers' Theater scripts shared by 2nd grade teacher

Sharon Ringham, from Chalker, has developed some clever Readers' Theater scripts about the Georgia heroes Mary Musgrove, James Oglethorpe, and Tomochichi. She is happy to share with any who would find these useful. 

Download John and Mary Musgrove meet James Oglethorpe

Download The journey across the ocean

Download The Meeting between James Oglethorpe

Download What kind of a man was James Oglethorpe

Download Where did the idea of making the Georgia colony come from

Download WHO IS JAMES OGLETHORPE

Download Who is Sequoyah

Download Who is Tomochichi

thanks, Sharon! We appreciate your generous spirit.

JoAnn

PowerPoint from Sept. 20, 2011 Elementary Contacts Training Day

Hi Social Studies Contacts,

We are sending out handouts and information from our September 20 training day for those school contacts who were unable to attend this past Tuesday. The heart of our day was discussion of a number of questions related to teaching social studies at the elementary level. We will be transcribing those notes to share soon. In the meantime, the questions are included in the following PowerPoint. Feel free to share them with your colleagues, and to have them share their own responses ---e-mailed to me at joann.wood@cobbk12.org.

Download Making Social Studies Matter 9-20-11

I look forward to hearing from you. Thanks! 

JoAnn

Teaching About 9-11

Resources for Teaching 9-11*

This September marks the 10 year anniversary of 9-11. You may find the following websites and books helpful as you are teaching about this event. Note that our GPS only include 9-11 at the 5th grade level, and even at that age you need to choose resources carefully and guide discussion thoughtfully.

Children’s Literature about 9-11 (useful for both younger and older students)

Fireboat: The Heroic Adventures of the John J. Harvey by Maria Kalman. A fireboat, launched in 1931, is retired after many years of fighting fires along the Hudson River, but is saved from being scrapped and then called into service again on September 11, 2001.

New York’s Bravest by Mary Pope Osborne. This tale of a 19th century urban folk hero, Mose the firefighter, represents the courage and strength of firefighters throughout history. Dedicated to the firefighters who gave their lives on September 11, 2001, the book offers an opportunity to discuss the events of that day in a more oblique way.

The Man Who Walked Between the Towers by Mordicai Gerstein. A lovely tale memorializing the French aerialist, Phillipe Petit, who performed on a tightrope stretched between the World Trade Center towers in 1974. The author refers to the events of September 11, 2001, only on the last page of this book, but voices a subtle and moving elegy for what has been lost and the memories that remain.

This Place I Know: Poems of Comfort  Selected by Georgia Heard & illustrated by 18 renowned picture book artists. A beautiful and healing collection of children’s poems and illustrations.

Messages to Ground Zero: Children Respond to September 11, 2001 Collected by Shelley Harwayne with the New York City Board of Education. Writings and drawings of children attempting to make sense of the incomprehensible tragedies of September 11, 2001. Primary sources!

NCSS Journal Articles On Teaching 9-11

Chick, Kay A. “Making Meaning for Children: The Events of 9-11,” Social Studies and the Young Learner, 17, no. 1 (2004): 25-29.

Hess, Diana and Jeremy Stoddard, “9-11 and Terrorism: ‘The Ultimate Teachable Moment’ in Textbooks and Supplemental Curricula” Social Education, 71, no. 5 (2007): 231-236.

Web Resources for Teaching 9-11

Bill of Rights Institute:  www.billofrightsinstitute.org

The Clarke Center at Dickinson College:  www.teaching9-11.org

Foreign Policy Research Institute: www.fpri.org/education/teachingwaronterror/

Library of Congress Sept. 11, 2001, Documentary Project:  http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/collections/911_archive

The Sept. 11 Digital Archive:  http://911digitalarchive.org

* Adapted from an article in the July News & Notes newsletter from the Georgia Council for Social Studies.

K-12 Contest: Plains, Peanuts, and a President!

Jimmy Carter NHS Education Program
Plains, Peanuts and a President
2011 Mini Poster Art Contest

K-12 students are invited to enter an art contest. Student work should be completed at school to ensure it is designed and made by the student. The contest is sponsored by the Jimmy Carter NHS Education Program. Winners from previous years are posted online under In the Spotlight at www.jimmycarter.info

Directions:

1. Student work must be on a white unruled 3 x 5, 4 x 6, or 8 1/2 x 11 paper.
2. The finished product must be flat for displaying and include at least 1 image/drawing of a peanut and something about Plains and Jimmy Carter.
3. Student's name, grade level, teacher's name, email address, school address, fax and telephone number must be on the back of each entry.
4. Teachers must bundle their entries together and include the following information on a cover sheet:
Teacher's name
Address
Phone/fax number
Grade and number of entries
5. All entries must be received in Plains by September 12, 2011.

Mail entries to: Annette Wise, 300 North Bond Street, Plains, GA 31780


Judging Criteria:

1. Original student work. No copyright or trademarks can be included . (No "Happy Birthday" on entry)
2. Creativity in work and neatness
3. Cards will be disqualified if all directions (1-5) are not followed

All entries become the property of the Jimmy Carter NHS Education Program and will not be returned. Winning entries will be posted online at: www.jimmycarter.info under In the Spotlight.


Awards:

There will be a first, second, and third place winner per grade level. All winners will receive a certificate and ribbon. The first place winner per grade level will receive a signed copy of one of President Carter's books. Winning entries will be on display at the Peanut Festival on September 24, 2011.

Questions? Please contact Annette Wise:

Annette Wise
Georgia Department of Educatio???ÿ? Plains Field Office
Jimmy Carter NHS Education Program
300 North Bond Street
Plains, Georgia 31780
229-824-5843 (phone)
229-824-5556 (fax)
www.jimmycarter.info

Booth Western Art Museum Offers Free Admission to Cobb Teachers

Want to beat the heat this summer and explore one of our area's hidden treasures? Head up I-75 to Cartersville and feast your eyes and mind on the amazing resources of the Booth Western Art Museum. 

Not only is this an incredible chance to immerse yourself in Western Art, the museum also has some rare and interesting U.S. presidential artifacts and Civil War art especially relevant to our area. They have developed programs that link history, writing, and art that they would love to share.

The Booth is admitting teachers (with CCSD ID) FREE throughout the month of July. I hope you'll take advantage of this wonderful opportunity. See the attached flyer for more details.

Download Cobb County Teacher Coupon

Enjoy!     JoAnn

New Programs from our friends at Georgia Educational Programs

Want to meet James Oglethorpe, get to know Harriet Tubman, or delve into the fascinating story of Abe and Mary Todd Lincoln? 

Hot off the presses from Jenny Goldemund, at Georgia Educational Programs are the current grade level programs for 2nd, 4th, and 5th grades. 

It's not too early to plan for next year! Check them out:

Download 2nd grade prgrms flier

Download Fourth grade flier

Download 5th grade flier

Enjoy!

Opportunities for Cobb teachers, Summer and Beyond!

We're hearing from many local history organizations and museums about resources, summer events, and Fall opportunities for Cobb teachers. Many I've been forwarding via e-mail, but I know your mailboxes are being filled this time of year. It might be easier for you to review them here.

Hope you have a stimulating summer just chock full of history and fun!    JoAnn :-)

 

Cobb County Hall Pass: Great Trolley Chase 

Free, fun-filled day of touring at some of Cobb County's most educational attractions.

June 6, 2011, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.  Must RSVP by June 1st.

For details and to RSVP, contact  Cobb County Hall Pass

 

Jimmy Carter Library and Georgia Geographic Alliance @ KSU are hosting the 2011 Summer Geography Institute: "The President's Travels" 

WHAT:        A week-long residential interactive professional development workshop 

WHEN:        June 20 – June 24, 2011
WHERE:     Jimmy Carter Library & Museum, Atlanta, GA
WHO:      Geography, social studies, & world history teachers, grades 5 – 12
WHY:         For professional development credit (and fun!)

For details and to register online, click here:  2011 Summer Geography Institute

 

Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History in Kennesaw Hosts Educators' Appreciation Month throughout July

See flyer for more details:  Download SoMu_EducatorMonth_Poster_1105R

or visit them online  at:  Southern Museum website

 

Talking Walls: Teaching With Historic Resources Course offered again in Cobb County!

The course will be held July 25 - 29, 8:00 - 3:00 daily, earns 3 PLU's, and will entertain, delight, and inspire you with great teaching ideas using local historic artifacts, documents, and sites.

 

See flyer for more details:   Download 2011 Cobb County Flyer

 

Funk Heritage Center of Reinhardt University in Waleska, GA announces the 2011-2012 Georgia History Timeline School Field Trip on October 13 (2nd - 4th grades) and October 14 (5th - 8th grades)

Reserve your trip now!  Details are on this flyer:   Download Timelineflyer11-3  

You may also find out more online at: Funk Heritage Center Website

 

The Georgia Geographic Alliance and KSU hosts Giant Map of North America from October 16 to November 4th

The Giant Traveling Map of North America brings geography home in a big way for American students.
 

On this 26’ x 35’ map, students traverse the continent from Alaska’s Aleutian Islands to the Panama Canal and from Iceland to Baja. Along the way they use their bodies to represent physical features, go on a westward journey to track population growth, and play an action-packed game of Simon Says. Older students looking for a challenge compare U.S. state carbon dioxide emissions and explore major watersheds of the continent. Like all Giant Traveling Maps, this map comes with a trunk of rich activities, games, props and educational resources.

For more information, check online at:  GGA Giant Map