Online registration for the TCSS fall conference at the Hilton Houston North is now open. Mail-in registration forms are also available for those who wish to pay for their registration by check.
TEA July 2010 Social Studies Update
The 2010-2011 school year will be a year of change as preparation is made to transition from the 1997 social studies Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) to the 2010 revised TEKS. Preparation is also being made to transition from the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) to the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) and student accountability for end-of-course assessments. The social studies field has anticipated the changes, and they have finally arrived.
The revised TEKS for Social Studies (Chapter 113) and Economics with Emphasis on the Free Enterprise System and Its Benefits (Chapter 118) were approved by the State Board of Education (SBOE) on May 21, 2010, for second reading and final adoption as authorized by SBOE operating rules. The color-coded documents are posted on the Texas Education Agency (TEA) website at http://www.tea.state.tx.us/index2.aspx?id=3643. The alphabetical lists of “including” and “such as” historical figures are also posted at http://www.tea.state.tx.us/index2.aspx?id=3643. The final rule text for the revised social studies and economics TEKS will be available soon, and the new rules will take effect August 23, 2010, and be implemented in the 2011-2012 school year. During the 2010-2011 school year, professional development will be created, and training will be provided in the spring and summer of 2011 to prepare teachers for implementation in the 2011-2012 school year. The 2010-2011 school year is the transition year.
Many districts are examining the new standards as they make summer adjustments to their district curriculum in preparing to transition to the new TEKS. As teachers and supervisors examine the revised social studies TEKS, they will find that many of the original standards remain in the revised TEKS. They will find that a few of the TEKS have been removed, and some new standards have been added. The lists of historical figures have grown as more specific examples have been included.
Since the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) will also be implemented in the 2011-2012 school year, teachers will be carefully considering assessment as they review the new TEKS. Of the assessed courses, the World Geography TEKS have changed the least. Grade 8 Social Studies, United States History Since 1877, and World History have some additions and more specific details. These courses are all part of the STAAR program.
The 2010-2011 school year will be an exciting time to be a Texas social studies educator. Transitions to revised standards and new assessments will provide challenges and opportunities during the next school year.
Rosemary Morrow, Ph.D.
Director of Social Studies, Division of Curriculum
Texas Education Agency
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Buffalo Soldiers Workshop
Buffalo Soldiers:
Discovering Heritage on the Texas Frontier
July 22, 2010 – January 3, 2011
Buffalo Soldiers: Discovering Heritage on the Texas Frontier introduces the people who sought an opportunity to better their lives, and the lives of their descendants, by volunteering for newly created regular U.S. Army units composed of African American soldiers.
Following the Civil War, thousands of black men – and at least one woman – enlisted in segregated regiments, and served the United States on the western frontier. One of these regiments, the 9th U.S. Cavalry, deployed to Texas after its formation in 1866 and carried out the role of upholding government policy as America spread across the western frontier. Many would return to Texas after their military service, building new lives for themselves in a changing land. Today, their descendants are rediscovering these soldiers and learning about their family’s role in the creation of Texas and the American frontier.
Encampment
Buffalo Soldiers and the Texas Frontier will feature a Buffalo Soldier encampment and an array of re-enactors portraying people from late 19th century Texas.
When: Saturday, July 24, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, July 25, noon to 5 p.m
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Walking with Texans: On the Indian Trail
Walking with Texans: On the Indian Trail
Three sessions: November 1, 8, 15
9 a.m. – noon, Institute of Texan Cultures
Schedule: You may register for one, two, or the entire series.
Price, per session: Nonmembers $20 per student and one accompanying adult per class
Members $18 per student and one accompanying adult per class
Registration fees are non-refundable and include the museum admission cost.
Register: Print Registration Form. Sorry, online registration is not available for this workshop.
Description
Explore the lifeways of Texas Indians through a series of interactive sessions.
Week 1: November 1
Shelters – Tipi Making
• Compare types of shelters used by Texas Indians (adobe, tipi, grass hut)
• Experience erecting a real size tipi with the help of our expert
Week 2: November 8
Tools – Cordage Making
• Learn about Texas Indians tools
• Make cordage from natural resources
Week 3: November 15
Plants – Natural Dye
• Explore some basic plant foods that Texas Indians would cultivate and consume
• Make flour from Mesquite beans and make syrup from the beans and sap of the tree
• Examine fibers that were dyed from natural sources and experiment dyeing fabric using similar products
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Institute of Texas Cultures Storytelling Workshop
Let’s Tell Stories: Storytelling Workshop, August 7, 2010
Connally Conference Center, third floor, Institute of Texan Cultures
Educators can earn two Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits.
San Antonio Storytellers Association, a partnership program sponsored by the Tejas Storytelling Association, will offer a beginning storytelling workshop for adults and youth. This workshop is presented with support from the Doc Moore Educational Outreach Fund of the Tejas Storytelling Association.
Adult Storytelling Workshop (18+ years)
9:30-11:30 a.m.
Price: nonmembers $15/members $12
Youth Storytelling Workshop (appropriate for ages 8-17 years)
2:30-4:30 p.m.
Price: Nonmembers $10/Members $8
Storytelling Concert, Exhibit Floor
1-2 p.m., included in workshop fee
Registration Deadline: July 30, 2010
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World Geography Professional Development Workshop in July
There are still spaces available in the World Geography professional development workshop being offered by the Texas Alliance for Geographic Education on July 19th and 20th. Led by two veteran Teacher Consultants, this 2-day workshop at Texas State University-San Marcos will introduce great foundational content and resources for novice teachers, while providing veteran teachers with hands-on instructional strategies, technology content and skills, and updates on TEKS revision and End-of-Course assessment. Participants will be awarded 14 CPE hours upon successful completion of the workshop.
The attached document includes the workshop flyer and registration form. The registration deadline for the World Geography workshop is Thursday, July 1.
For anyone coming from outside of the immediate area, we would be happy to help arrange low cost lodging in San Marcos.
If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to contact us by e-mail or phone (512.245.1823).
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Teaching About Asia
The National Consortium for Teaching about Asia (NCTA), funded by the Freeman Foundation, is a multi-year initiative to encourage and facilitate teaching and learning about East Asia in elementary and secondary schools nationwide. NCTA is a premier provider of professional development on East Asia.
Launched in October 1998, this nationwide program is a collaboration of the East Asian Studies programs of seven institutions: the University of Washington, the University of Southern California, the University of Colorado, Indiana University, University or Pittsburgh, Columbia University, and the Five College Center for East Asian Studies at Smith.
Since its inception NCTA has established introductory seminars for teachers 48 states, serving over 13,000 teachers.
The NCTA Seminars
NCTA seminars serve more than 1,000 teachers yearly. Participants interact with East Asia specialists, receive extensive readings and other materials, and discuss effective strategies for bringing East Asia into their classrooms. Each seminar leader or team facilitates a seminar on East Asia that incorporates primary-source selections from the Chinese, Japanese, and Korean traditions. NCTA offers seminars in different delivery methods to accommodate the different needs, schedules and preferences of teachers. Seminars can be taken in a face-to-face setting, online, or in a blended format (face-to-face and digital used together).
NCTA targets teachers of world history, world geography, other social studies courses, and language arts/world literature as the primary audience of its programs. Teachers of Asian languages, media specialists, librarians, and art teachers who play a key role in teaching Asian studies content also are eligible for NCTA programs. NCTA seeks to develop a community of inquiry among educators interested in East Asian studies that serves as a forum for collegial discussion of issues relevant to the teaching of East Asia.
Participant Benefits
• Quality instruction about East Asia from leading experts in the field
• No cost
• Introduction to a wide-range of up-to-date print, audio-visual, and online resources
• Opportunities to network with alumni
• Course credit or recertification credit (available in most locations)
• Opportunities to learn about study tour prospects
• Course credit or recertification credit (available in most locations)
• Opportunities to learn about study tour prospects
National Consortium for Teaching about Asia – www.NCTAsia.org
Texas state specific page: http://www.nctasia.org/states/TX/index.html
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Introducing Africa.com
Introducing an excellent online resource recently developed to provide extensive information and data for curriculum development and courses that focus on Africa. The website Africa.com contains current and historical information for students interested in one or more of the fifty-three countries on the continent.
Examples of topics for each country include the following items:
- Short videos that allow students to “visit” the country they are studying
- Up to date facts and figures about people and places
- Current news, maps and geography
- Cultural aspects, literature, music, and art
- Economics, finance, and political conditions
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Fed Workshop: The International Marketplace
A One-Day Forum for High School Faculty
July 28, 2010
Houston Branch
Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas
Fee: $15, includes continental breakfast, lunch and conference materials.
This year’s International Marketplace will provide a multifaceted view of the evolving international marketplace, the skills it requires and the areas in which we are most challenged. The program will provide timely information to help teachers better understand the world’s interconnectedness.
Featured speakers, including Rice University professor Stephen Klineberg and international banking executive Jorge Bermudez, bring a mix of business and academic expertise to the forum. Download the Program Flyer
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Revised Social Studies TEKS Posted
The revised social studies TEKS, which are to be implemented in the 2011-2012 school year, are posted on the TEA website along with the current social studies TEKS that are in effect through the 2010-2011 school year.
Chapter 113 Social Studies TEKS can be found at http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/rules/tac/chapter113/index.html.
Chapter 118 Economics with Emphasis on the Free Enterprise System and Its Benefits TEKS can be found at http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/rules/tac/chapter118/index.html.