Social Studies News and Updates

Stay up to date on news, information, and events:

Social Studies news from the MDOE Newsroom

Social Studies ListServ

Keeping PK-12 Social Studies Teachers current on issues and information from the Maine Department of Education. Click here to subscribe to the Social Studies Listserv.

Recent postings from Kristie Littlefield, Social Studies Specialist at the Maine Department of Education

(updated 6/18/13)

Summer ListServ Plans; CDLN Webinars; NAEP Statement; 16th Maine Debut; Jump$tart Award; MCSS Conference (6/18/13)

Summer Plans for Maine DOE Social Studies ListServ: Summer posts will be reserved for the most pressing social studies related matters. Regular, weekly posts, will resume in mid-August. Happy summer!

Cross Discipline Literacy Network Webinars Available: This past school year, the Maine DOE launched the Cross Discipline Literacy Network (CDLN), a new professional learning network for K-12 educators. 300 educators from across the state participated in this network which included webinars developed by Maine educators focused on literacy instruction strategies as well as in-person sessions in which participants shared applications of the content learned through webinars and engaged in closer examination of literacy standards across the disciplines. Details about the 2013-14 CDLN will be avaialbe in August and will be posted to this ListServ.

Webinars created as part of this past year’s series are now available for public viewing at: http://www.maine.gov/doe/literacy-for-me/cdln-schedules.html. You will find four social studies webinars focusing on: Discussion Webs, Using Discussion Webs to Enhance Writing, Sourcing a Document, and Anticipation Guides – among many others.

Official Statement from NAEP re. History, Civics, and Geography Cuts: The National Assessment Governing Board released a statement last week regarding the cutting of the 2014 U.S. history, civics, and geography assessments at grades 4 and 12. It reads, in part, “The fiscal 2013 federal budget reduction resulted in a $6.8 million cut in funds for NAEP. To adjust to this budget cut, after considering a number of alternatives, the Governing Board decided to postpone the 2014 administration of U.S. history, civics and geography assessments at grades 4 and 12; however, the grade 8 assessments will remain as scheduled. A previous decision to stop new development of test questions for U.S. history, civics and geography was made with the intention that doing so would provide sufficient savings, but that was not the case. The 2013 budget cut required immediate action, and cutting a significant part of the NAEP schedule was necessary to reach the $6.8 million reduction.” For the full news release, visit: http://www.nagb.org/newsroom/press-releases/2013/release-20130610.html

16th Maine at Gettysburg Premiere: In honor of the 150th anniversary of The Battle of Gettysburg, the Maine Public Broadcasting Network will present Sixteenth Maine at Gettysburg, a new documentary revealing the story of Maine's 16th Volunteer Infantry Regiment, one of the fifteen Maine units engaged in the battle. The short film was produced by MPBN’s Emmy Award-nominated Daniel Lambert in partnership with the Maine State Archives. The broadcast premiere will be July 1, 2013 9:00 p.m., on MPBN. Free screenings of the documentary will be held around the state this summer. See the 16th Maine page on the MPBN site for more details: http://www.mpbn.net/Television/LocalTelevisionPrograms/SixteenthMaineatGettysburg.aspx

Maine Jump$tart Coalition Educator of the Year Award: The Maine Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy is seeking nominations for the Maine Jump$tart Coalition Educator of the Year Award. This award was created to recognize a Maine educator who has distinguished themselves through their efforts to improve the financial capability of the students and families they serve. The award recipient will receive up to $1,000 in travel reimbursement to attend the 2013 National Jump$tart Educator's Conference November 1 - 3, 2013 in Washington, DC. Nomination form(s) must be submitted by September 13, 2013.

Reminder: Save the Date - Maine Council for the Social Studies Conference: MCSS will be holding their annual conference on Friday, November 8, 2013, at the Augusta Civic Center. This year’s conference is entitled, Content, Instruction, and Technology: Standards-Based Approaches for 21st Century Learners. More information will be posted and available soon.

C3 Draft Released; Glossaries; Free Oral History Workshop; Summer Professional Development Opportunities (6/11/13)

Update on C3 Framework for Social Studies: You may recall from a post on May 21, 2013, that the National Council for the Social Studies would be publishing the C3 Framework. To date, that is still the plan. A draft of the framework is now available and can be viewed here: http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/curriculum/C3%20Framework%2006%2004%2013%20DRAFT.pdf Also, you may be interested in the article published in the Curriculum Matters blog in Education Week on June 7, 2013: http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/curriculum/2013/06/chiefs_group_terminates_role_i.html?qs=c3+framework

Keep in mind that the C3 Framework is not a standards document, but rather a framework for states and districts to consider as they look to upgrade existing standards. More information, as it becomes available, will be posted to this ListServ. And, of course, feel free to be in touch with me if you have any questions.

Maine DOE Glossary of Terms Related to Proficiency-Based Learning: A glossary of terms relating to proficiency-based learning is available on the Maine DOE site: http://maine.gov/doe/cbp/glossary.html

Glossary of Education Reform for Journalists: While this site is designed specifically for journalists and other media professionals, it may be a helpful resource in communication with parents and other community members: http://www.edglossary.org/.

Free Workshop: Bringing Franco-American History to Life - Oral Histories in the Classroom: The Franco-American Collection at the University of Southern Maine invites you to join Andrea l’Hommedieu, Oral Historian at the University of South Carolina, for a workshop on using oral histories in the classroom. Andrea L'Hommedieu, a librarian and oral historian, is currently head of the Office of Oral History at the South Caroliniana Library, USC and Treasurer of the South Carolina Archival Association. She formerly served in Maine as director of the George J. Mitchell Oral History Project at Bowdoin College and oral historian for the Edmund S. Muskie Oral History Project at Bates College, both winning national awards in 2012 and 2008, respectively. Andrea also collaborated closely with Museum L-A, Lewiston, Maine (2005-2010) to lead several community-based oral history projects with mill workers, shoe workers and brick makers.

The workshop, designed for educators, will focus both on ways to use existing oral histories, and tips on creating your own oral history projects. The workshop will take place at USM’s Lewiston-Auburn College, 51 Westminster Street, Lewiston on July 20 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. The event is free, but participants are asked to reserve a spot. For more information or to RSVP contact James Myall, Collection Coordinator at    franco@usm.maine.edu or 207-753-6545. To view the flyer: http://media.usm.maine.edu/~franco/events/lhommedieuflyer.pdf

Immigration History Through Primary Sources -- Online Course for K-8 Educators:

Thinking Like a Historian: Immigration History Through Primary Sources

http://primarysource.org/thinkinglikeahistorian

Four-Week Online Course, July 10 - August 6, 2013

22.5 PDPs or 1 graduate credit available

$175 (plus optional $100 fee for 1 graduate credit).

Through online resources about immigration history, educators will learn how to incorporate and use primary sources in the elementary and middle school classroom. Teachers will explore materials from the Library of Congress collection and the Lower East Side Tenement Museum, deepen their understanding of primary sources, and consider how K-8 students can benefit from observing and analyzing them.

While this course is offered completely online and requires a basic comfort level and interest in the use of computer technology as a medium for learning, no previous online coursework is required.

Contact registration@primarysource.org for more information and to register. Limited seats are available!

On behalf of the National Council for the Social Studies:

Professional Development Opportunities: Details and registration information for all of the summer workshops listed below may be found here: http://members.socialstudies.org/Scripts/4Disapi.dll/4DCGI/events/ConferenceList.html?Action=Find_Events

Teaching With Documents and Works of Art: An Integrated Approach Focus on Photography as Art and Document

July 22, 2013 – July 24, 2013

National Archives Building and Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, DC

This three-day workshop will provide a varied program of lectures, demonstrations, collaborative work, and analysis of documents and works of art in order to introduce teachers to the holdings, resources, and programs of the National Archives and the Smithsonian American Art Museum. This is the sixth year these organizations have partnered to bring educators nationwide new approaches to teaching with primary sources. This year's content focus is photography as art and document. Workshop attendees will participate in and develop classroom activities that utilize both visual images and primary source documents as teaching tools in ways that sharpen students' skills and enthusiasm for history, social studies, and the humanities. They will also participate in hands-on activities related to historical photography processes.

Powerful and Authentic Social Studies (PASS): Teacher Training Institute

July 22, 2013 – July 26, 2013

Brandman University, Monterey, CA

Powerful and Authentic Social Studies (PASS) is a professional development program that trains pre-service, as well as in-service, social studies teachers in curriculum design, assessment, and instruction in a standards-based environment. This institute will provide participants with the materials and expertise necessary to lead their own PASS training workshops in their schools and school districts. Participants will learn about PASS criteria and standards for curriculum design, assessment construction, and effective instruction. In small learning communities, participants will examine videotaped K-12 vignettes of teaching and create examples of curriculum units and assessment tasks to share with their learning community. This PASS institute will be of interest at all educational levels.

Strengthening Social Studies Learning and Excellence in the Common Core using Practical, Engaging, Thoughtful Teaching Strategies

July 31, 2013 – August 2, 2013

University of Wisconsin, School of Continuing Education Conference Center, Milwaukee, WI

Make every lesson deep and engaging with research-based practice-proven teaching strategies. In this institute, you will learn 15 powerful and practical activities to foster active engagement, excitement, and enhanced thinking in your students while building a learning community with your fellow participants and presenters. Through the experience of hands-on lessons, we will model constructivist strategies in the areas of inquiry learning and substantive discussion, as well as reading, writing, and other creative processing activities. The strategies can be applied in any history, humanities, or social science lesson, and authentic resources will be provided with each lesson. The use of technology (e.g. Google Earth and Interactive White Board-SMART or Promethean) to further engage your students will also be explored. Three graduate credits will be made available for interested participants.

Conducting Socratic Seminars: Focus on Primary Source Documents from US History

August 5, 2013 – August 7, 2013

American Enterprise Institute, Washington, DC

This Socratic seminar workshop is taught by nationally recognized Socratic seminar trainer John Zola. Participants in the program will develop skills as Socratic seminar discussion leaders. Unique to this program is a focus on using primary sources from US history, drawn from The Constitutional Sources Project (www.ConSource.org) and www.WhatSoProudlyWeHail.org.

Socratic seminars are teacher-led classroom discussions that promote higher-level thinking, more careful reading of texts, and increased skills of classroom and civil discussion. They are appropriate for any social studies disciplines and are successful with students from elementary through high school. The workshop will combine the learning of skills necessary to use seminars in your classroom with a focus on significant documents from US History. Teachers of any social studies discipline, however, are welcomed and encouraged to enroll in the workshop.

Details and registration information for all of the above workshops may be found here: http://members.socialstudies.org/Scripts/4Disapi.dll/4DCGI/events/ConferenceList.html?Action=Find_Events

School Improvement Webinar Series; SL Grants; Primary Source Platform; Reminders (6/4/13)

On behalf of Commissioner Bowen: Invitation to School Improvement Webinar Series

When we released the A-F report cards for the state’s schools as part of our new Maine School Performance Grading Syste m, we wanted to engage educators and the public in a positive, productive conversation about how we can work together to improve our schools.

That conversation is well under way.

In the past month, Maine DOE regional representatives and Title I consultants have been reaching out to “D” and “F” schools to capture their challenges and a better sense of the support they seek from our Department and other resources. We’re also learning about the strategies and interventions they’ve already put in place that are having success and could be replicated in other schools. In August, we plan to hold meetings in each of the nine regional superintendent districts to share our findings as well as the targeted improvement resources we’ll be providing or able to connect schools to.

In the meantime, as part of our commitment to being a resource to support all schools in their improvement efforts, Maine DOE is launching a school improvement webinar series, with four webinars already scheduled for this month. These free webinars (see below for a complete schedule) are on topics you’ve indicated interest in and will run through June 18, resuming again in August. With the school year coming to a busy end, we realize you may not be able to attend these when they are scheduled, so we will additionally be archiving them on our Educator Resources page. If you are unable to participate but have question(s) to pose to the presenter(s), please send them in advance to communications.doe@maine.gov and we will do our best to address them during the webinar.

We hope you will join us on these webinars and that you find them valuable, especially as you start your planning for the next school year. We at Maine DOE look forward to continuing to meaningfully support you in your work to help every Maine student reach their potential and leave school prepared for success in college, career and civic life.

Sincerely,
Stephen Bowen, Commissioner of Education

Putting The Data Warehouse To Work

Date: 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Thursday, June 6 (and available online following)

Detail: The Maine Department of Education’s new Data Warehouse is a powerful tool in the arsenal of educators working to improve student outcomes. It's an equally powerful tool for parents and students who want to find out how their local schools are performing and how their performance compares to other Maine schools', districts' and the entire state's. This session will introduce educators to the Data Warehouse and its many capabilities for initiating informed, data-driven decision-making about school improvement planning and action.

Presenters: Bill Hurwich, Director of the Statewide Longitudinal Data System and Lance Gilman, Statewide Longitudinal Data System training team.

Log-in to join meeting: http://stateofmaine.adobeconnect.com/pk2016613b/

Measured Progress: Using Your Data To Inform Planning for the 2013-2014 School Year

Date: 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Monday, June 10 (and available online following)

Detail: This school year hasn’t even ended and we know you are already thinking about planning for the next one. Building on the Data Warehouse training, this session will help you understand your Measured Progress assessment data from this year to inform your planning for next year this summer.

Presenters: George Tucker and Linda Parkin, Maine DOE School Improvement Specialists

Log-in to join meeting: http://stateofmaine.adobeconnect.com/pk20161013a/

The Characteristics of Effective Schools

Date: 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Thursday, June 13 (and available online following)

Detail: Every school has its own challenges and opportunities but despite their differences, high performing schools share similar characteristics. In this session, we’ll present key indicators of effective practices based on professional and research literature. And, we’ll share examples of them in action in Maine schools, from leadership team planning practices to how teachers are successfully interacting with students and parents.

Presenters: Rachelle Tome, Chief Academic Officer and CIPS Consultants

Log-in to join meeting: http://stateofmaine.adobeconnect.com/pk20161313a/

Low Income and High Performing: What Is Working In Maine

Date: 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 18 (and available online following)

Detail: Education is the great equalizer yet it’s no secret to educators that children from low-income communities struggle to achieve proficiency at the same rate as their peers in wealthier communities. Yet throughout Maine, there are stories of schools successfully overcoming socio-economics and other challenges to produce proficient, engaged students prepared and passionate for college, career and civic life. In this session, leaders of schools with high free/reduced lunch populations and high performance will share their proven strategies in ensuring demographics doesn’t determine destiny.

Presenters: Rachelle Tome, Chief Academic Officer & Guests

Log-in to join meeting: http://stateofmaine.adobeconnect.com/pk20161813a/

Late-June through July hiatus in respect for educators’ summer vacations, with sessions starting again in August to be announced by July 17. Please submit your suggestions for additional topics to communications.doe@maine.gov.

To join our School Improvement webinars:

Go online to the web address provided above.

Select the ‘Enter as a Guest’ option and type your name in the corresponding text field.

No phone connection is necessary. To listen, be sure your computer speakers are on and set at an appropriate level.

State Farm/YSA: Good Neighbor Grants: State Farm and Youth Service America are offering grants for programs enhancing student achievement through service learning. Maximum award: $1,500. Eligibility: K-12 public schools in all 50 US states, the District of Columbia, and in the Canadian provinces of Ontario, New Brunswick, and Alberta.

Deadline: June 23, 2013

http://www.ysa.org/goodneighbor

PrimarySource Platform: The Constitutional Sources Project (www.ConSource.org) has recently launched a primary lesson plan sharing platform called PrimarySource. ConSource has partnered with the Verizon Foundation’s Thinkfinity professional learning community to provide free digital access to the platform where educators can connect and collaborate on lesson plans with a strong emphasis on primary source documents and U.S. constitutional history: http://www.thinkfinity.org/groups/primarysource.

Reminder: 16th Maine at Gettysburg Program Debut: The Maine State Archives and Maine Public Broadcasting Network (MPBN) are holding an exclusive showing of The 16th Maine at Gettysburg at 7 p.m. on June 12 at the Maine Cultural Building in Augusta. All are welcome! The Maine Public Broadcasting Network will be airing the program this summer: http://www.mpbn.net/Television/LocalTelevisionPrograms/SixteenthMaineatGettysburg.aspx

Reminder: Summer Seminar - Teaching the Nazi Holocaust: A Holocaust Study Program for K-12 Educators at the Holocaust and Human Rights Center of Maine will be held June 24-28. For more information and to apply, visit: http://hhrc.uma.edu/summer-seminar-2013/.

Reminder: On behalf of the Maine Humanities Council:

Archaeology Summer Camp for Students, Grades 7-12: Digging Up the Past: Archaeology and History at Colonial Fort Richmond - A FREE one-week day camp offered by the Maine Humanities Council

June 24 – 28, 2013

9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Fort Western, Augusta; MDOT Fort Richmond archaeological dig, Richmond; Maine State Museum, Augusta

The Maine frontier was a dangerous place for European settlers, who dotted the landscape with forts to protect themselves against rival European factions and Native Americans. In Richmond, along the Kennebec River, there were likely two forts, one built around 1721 and the second built in the same location around 1740. Neither survived the 18th century. Get your hands dirty and help unearth the forts before a new bridge is built across the Kennebec. Teachers, please let your students know about this opportunity! For more information, visit http://mainehumanities.org/programs/history-camp/archaeology.html.

New 16th Maine Documentary; Financial Fitness Fairs Webinar; Upcoming Chinese Art Exhibit (5/28/13)

16th Maine at Gettysburg Program Debut: The Maine State Archives and Maine Public Broadcasting Network (MPBN) are holding an exclusive showing of The 16th Maine at Gettysburg at 7 p.m. on June 12 at the Maine Cultural Building in Augusta. All are welcome! The Maine Public Broadcasting Network will be airing the program this summer: http://www.mpbn.net/Television/LocalTelevisionPrograms/SixteenthMaineatGettysburg.aspx.

On behalf of the Maine Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy:

Financial Fitness Fair Overview Webinar: Are you interested in the learning more about the Maine Credit Union League's Financial Fitness Fairs? If so, here is your opportunity!

A 20-minute webinar titled "Financial Fitness Fair Overview" was recorded in March and was developed to provide participants with information regarding the award-winning, half-day fairs that are offered to high school students throughout Maine. View Webinar.

For more information, visit the Maine Credit Union League Fitness Fair webpage.

On behalf of Colby College Museum of Art:

Spaces & Places: Chinese Art from the Lunder-Colville Collection and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston July 13, 2013 - June 8, 2014

Spaces & Places presents Chinese artworks from the rich holdings of the Lunder-Colville Chinese Art Collection at Colby College and the world-renowned collection of Chinese art at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. By featuring works that were displayed in the imperial court, private residences, temples, and tombs, the exhibition demonstrates how art enlivened these spaces and created meaning within four very different realms of visual culture. A wide range of objects drawn from all periods of pre-modern China—from paintings to ceramics, textiles to sculptures—allows viewers to appreciate and understand art’s power and varied purposes in specific contexts.

This exhibition is only a portion of the larger, concurrent exhibition The Lunder Collection: A Gift of Art to Colby College, which includes a wide array of historical American art dealing with (among other topics) the history of childhood in the United States, Westward Expansion, Native Americans, and the Civil War. For sample lesson plans, visit: http://www.colby.edu/academics_cs/museum/education/k12resources.cfm?all=1.

For information about school visits for 2013-14 (funding is available to offset the cost of transportation), visit: http://www.colby.edu/academics_cs/museum/education/index.cfm. Note: The Colby College Museum of Art will be reopening on July 13, 2013.

C3 Framework Update; NAEP Cuts; Free Summer Institute Boston; ESL/Bilingual Academy for Content Teachers; Service Learning Workshop Reminder (5/21/13)

Update on C3 Framework for Social Studies: Maine, as a member of the Social Studies Assessment Curriculum and Instruction Collaborative (SSACI) of the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO), was invited to participate in a “targeted review” of the C3 Framework. In the last week of April, the Maine C3 Review Team (comprised of 30+ educators from all grade levels and all regions of the state) provided feedback on the draft document. Our in-state review process was part of a larger targeted review where over 3000 respondents from the social studies community provided feedback on the C3 Framework. These stakeholders represented K-12 educators, university faculty, state education personnel, professional organization representatives, educational publishers, and cultural organizations. SSACI reported last week that, overall, the respondents offered a positive reaction to the content, structure, and format of the document.

CCSSO facilitated the process of developing the C3 Framework and has now completed its involvement with the project; National Council for the Social Studies will be publishing the document. The publication is anticipated to be completed in August 2013.

Keep in mind that the C3 Framework is NOT a standards document, but rather a framework for states and districts to consider as they look to upgrade existing standards. More information, as it becomes available, will be posted to this ListServ. And, of course, feel free to be in touch with me if you have any questions. In the meantime, a reminder that an eight page overview of the C3 Framework may be found here: http://www.maine.gov/education/lres/ss/documents/C3%20Vision%20Statement%20Nov%202012.pdf.

Sequestration Cuts Some NAEP Tests for Civics, History, and Geography: A recent article in EdWeek announced that the executive committee of the National Assessment Governing Board voted to indefinitely postpone the 4th and 12th grade tests in civics, history, and geography for 2014. The exams will continue for 8th graders. To read the article, visit: http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/campaign-k-12/2013/05/social_studies_naep_tests_post.html.

Free Summer Institute: Fighting for Freedom at Home & On the Front: Boston’s Struggle to End Slavery - The National Park Service African American Historic Site in Boston and the National Archives at Boston in Waltham are hosting a 2013 Summer Institute “Fighting for Freedom at Home and on the Front: Boston’s Struggle for Freedom, 1806 – 1865.” The program is free; $100 reservation fee to National Archives Gift Fund will be refunded upon your attendance. For more details: http://www.archives.gov/boston/education/summer-programs.html.

On behalf of MDOE ESL/Bilingual Programs:

Maine ESL Summer Academy 2013 for all content area teachers - Integrating content standards and English language development standards through academic language

June 25 – 27, 2013, Orono, Maine

A 3-day residential training held at the University of Maine – produced by the MDOE ESL/Bilingual programs in collaboration with Project Reach at the University of Maine
Using this three day interactive and differentiated academy, participants will have opportunities to work collaboratively to explore the language demands of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Participants will work together to integrate content and language standards to develop a custom design for instruction of English Language Learners that is comprehensible, challenging and grounded in academic language development. Participants will create materials using the three sets of standards. Although not a requirement, participants may bring lessons or units that they have created prior to the academy for feedback and development. http://umaine.edu/projectreach/profesional-development/2013-summer-academy/.

For registration details go to: http://www.maine.gov/education/esl/summeracademy/index.html.

Reminder: On behalf of KIDS Consortium:

Service-Learning Planning and Implementing Workshop – August 20-21, 2013; 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Freeport Middle School Library

Service-learning is a hands-on, learner-centered teaching strategy that challenges young people to work with community partners, applying academic knowledge and skills to solve real problems and needs. Through service-learning, students develop and demonstrate proficiency of standards (Common Core and Next Generation Science), including essential 21st century skills - critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and team work.

This 2-day training will help participants develop a basic understanding of KIDS Consortium’s award winning service-learning model. Through interactive games and visuals, participants will learn the difference between community based learning, community service, and service-learning, and why service-learning is an effective teaching strategy. You will be prepared to implement a high quality service-learning project using tools and strategies from our KIDS As Planners Guidebook and have time to plan "how to" integrate service-learning in to your teaching environment and receive feedback on your ideas.

Registration is required. Registration deadline: July 20. Fee is $300 and includes the KIDS As Planners Guidebook, contact hours certificate, light breakfast and lunch each day. Please visit our Website to register. We accept, check, PO’s, and credit card payments: http://www.kidsconsortium.org/getting_started.php.

HHRC Teaching the Nazi Holocaust Seminar; Reminder Online Forum Thurs., May 16 (5/14/13)

Summer Seminar - Teaching the Nazi Holocaust: A Holocaust Study Program for K-12 Educators at the Holocaust and Human Rights Center of Maine will be held June 24-28. For more information and to apply, visit: http://hhrc.uma.edu/summer-seminar-2013/.

Reminder: Online Forum for Educators Regarding A-F Report Cards - 3 to 4:30 p.m., Thursday, May 16.

On behalf of Commissioner Bowen: Invitation to Online Forum Regarding A-F Report Cards: Empowering Educators with A-F: A Conversation on Where We Can Go from Here (Posted to the Maine DOE Newsroom on May 9, 2013 by Commissioner Stephen Bowen)

Teachers invited to participate in webinar.

Last week, the Maine Department of Education rolled out A-F report cards for each school in the state as part of our new Maine School Performance Grading System.

These snapshots of where our schools are today based on existing reading and mathematics assessment data – and in the case of our high schools, graduation rates – show areas where we are doing well and those where we need to improve. No matter where you stand on the new grading system, we believe this is an opportunity to engage educators like you in a positive, productive conversation about our shared commitment to giving Maine kids the best education we can. We want to talk with you about how the grades were developed and how we intend to support schools, especially those with lower letter grades, in the months ahead. We’d also like your feedback on how the Department can help schools improve student achievement.

To facilitate that, we’d like to invite you and your school colleagues to join me, along with Chief Academic Officer Rachelle Tome and Director of the Statewide Longitudinal Data System Bill Hurwitch for an online forum about A-F and how it can be used as an invaluable tool for improving Maine’s schools.

The Department will share how we can be a resource to help you in understanding and putting this data tool to work immediately for you and your students. We’ll also talk about other available resources the State has or is developing to make available to you. Then we’ll open the floor to your feedback as to how we can further support your important efforts in the classroom.

The forum will be held from 3 to 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 16. We encourage you to participate with others from your school so you can pose questions as a cohort and continue the conversation after the forum has concluded.

Register for the webinar: www1.gotomeeting.com/register/631576520.

We look forward to talking with you on May 16 and beyond as together we implement improvement initiatives and reach our shared goal for every school in Maine to be an A school that is preparing our students for meaningful college, career and civic engagement.

Smarter Balanced Opportunity for Educators; Humanities Summit and Week of Events; Reminder: Archaeology Camp for Students (5/7/13)

Smarter Balanced Digital Library Opportunity (a few positions for social studies educators are available): As a member of the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium, Maine is seeking educators who have significant experience in formative assessment and deep knowledge of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) to join Maine’s State Network of Educators (SNE). K-12 teachers and administrators and higher educational professionals with experience working with the following student populations are invited to apply: general education, gifted and talented, English language learners, and students with disabilities. Members of the SNE will contribute to the Smarter Balanced Digital Library, an online, interactive clearinghouse for educators, students, and families. The Digital Library will provide educators with resources, tools, and professional learning opportunities so that they can tailor instruction to student needs based on information from a coherent, balanced assessment system.

Selected educators will collaborate with our State Leadership Team (SLT) to:

Participate in five (5) trainings between September, 2013 and September, 2014.

Submit and review resources for the Smarter Balanced Digital Library.

Provide valuable feedback on the usability of the Digital Library application.

For their service, selected educators will get early access to the Digital Library resources and innovative collaboration tools and a stipend of up to $1500. Minimum criteria for payment are as follows:

Attend/complete each of (5) trainings.

Submit resources into the Digital Library after each of the five trainings:

Submit at least one resource after Training 1.

Submit at least one resource that is approved for the Digital Library after each of Trainings 2, 3, 4, and 5.

Review at least three resources in the Digital Library after each of the five trainings.

All qualified educators are invited to apply. The open application period runs from Wednesday, May 1, 2013 through Monday, June 3, 2013. If you would like to be considered, please submit your application no later than June 3, 2013. Please note, however, that applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis. To begin your application, click the following link: Maine State Network of Educators Online Application.

More detailed information is available at: http://www.maine.gov/doe/smarter/index.html#digital. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Susan Fossett, State Assessment Coordinator, via email: susan.fossett@maine.gov or phone: 207-624-6775

Humanities Summit: The University of Maine Humanities Initiative has organized a week of public programs from May 13 to 17 to highlight research and public collaboration in our region and across the state. For the full schedule of events for May 13-16, visit: http://umaine.edu/umhi/faculty-development-program/. To register for the Maine Humanities Summit in Augusta on Friday, May 17, visit: http://umaine.edu/umhi/. For more information, contact Amy Cross at amy.cross@umit.maine.edu.

Reminder: On behalf of the Maine Humanities Council:

Archaeology Summer Camp for Students, Grades 7-12: Digging Up the Past: Archaeology and History at Colonial Fort Richmond, a free one-week day camp offered by the Maine Humanities Council.

June 24 – 28, 2013, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at Fort Western, Augusta; MDOT Fort Richmond archaeological dig, Richmond; Maine State Museum, Augusta

The Maine frontier was a dangerous place for European settlers, who dotted the landscape with forts to protect themselves against rival European factions and Native Americans. In Richmond, along the Kennebec River, there were likely two forts, one built around 1721 and the second built in the same location around 1740. Neither survived the 18th century. Get your hands dirty and help unearth the forts before a new bridge is built across the Kennebec. Teachers, please let your students know about this opportunity! For more information, visit http://mainehumanities.org/programs/history-camp/archaeology.html.

C3 Framework Update; MCSS Conference Proposals; NAEP Econ Results; Fin Lit Standards; MLTI Contract (4/30/13)

Update on C3 Framework for Social Studies: Maine, as a member of the Social Studies Assessment Curriculum and Instruction Collaborative of the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO), was invited to participate in a “targeted review” of the C3 Framework. In the last week of April, the Maine C3 Review Team (comprised of 30+ educators from all grade levels and all regions of the state) provided feedback on the draft document. The feedback will be compiled and submitted to CCSSO in early May. The C3 Framework is anticipated to be published by CCSSO in June, 2013. Keep in mind that the document is NOT a standards document, but rather a framework for states and districts to consider as they look to upgrade existing standards. Stay tuned.

Reminder: Call for MCSS Conference Proposals: The Maine Council for the Social Studies is now accepting workshop proposals for their annual conference, Content, Instruction, and Technology: Standards-Based Approaches for 21st Century Learners which will take place on Friday, November 8th at the Augusta Civic Center. Proposals are due by May 6. For a copy of the Conference Presenter Proposal form, visit: http://mainecouncilsocialstudies.org/.

The Nation’s Report Card Economics 2012, Grade 12: The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) released the report on April 24, 2013. It’s the second economics assessment administered by NAEP (the first one appeared in 2006). There was not a significant change in the overall average economics score. For a copy of the report and to learn more, visit: http://nationsreportcard.gov/economics_2012/.

New National Standards for Financial Literacy: The Council for Economic Education released, in April 2013, a new set of standards which aim to provide a framework for teaching personal finance K-12. For more information and to download a copy, visit: http://www.councilforeconed.org/resource/national-standards-for-financial-literacy/.

News Release from the Governor’s Office regarding New MLTI Contract(s): http://mainedoenews.net/2013/04/29/maine-grants-technology-flexibility/

Call for Proposals; Financial Literacy Conf.; SL Guide; Recent News; Upcoming PD Opportunities (4/23/13)

MCSS Conference Proposals: The Maine Council for the Social Studies is now accepting workshop proposals for their annual conference, Content, Instruction, and Technology: Standards-Based Approaches for 21st Century Learners which will take place on Friday, November 8th at the Augusta Civic Center. Proposals are due by May 6. For a copy of the Conference Presenter Proposal form, visit: http://mainecouncilsocialstudies.org/.

Reminder: Financial Literacy Conference: Registration is now open for the 4th Annual Fostering Financial Literacy in Maine Schools Conference, hosted by the Maine Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy. The conference will feature workshops presented by classroom teachers and financial literacy experts and will be held at the Augusta Civic Center on May 2. Registration fee is $25, however, fee waivers and financial support for substitute teacher expenses is available on a first-come, first-served basis. For more details and to register, visit: http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07e73ia2tadd4305ef&llr=orrbr6iabundefined.

Service Learning Guide: The Maine Commission for Community Service has released Establishing Service-Learning in Maine School Districts, a follow-up publication to the Commission’s service-learning guide for teachers. For more information and to download the guide, visit the DOE Newsroom.

Recent Social Studies News in the DOE Newsroom:

Maine Geographic Bee: http://mainedoenews.net/2013/04/17/bonny-eagle-eighth-grader-wins-maine-geographic-bee/

Maine National History Day: http://mainedoenews.net/2013/04/11/maine-national-history-day-winners/

On behalf of the University of Maine:

Interdisciplinary Masters Degree in Maine Studies: The University of Maine offers an interdisciplinary masters degree in Maine Studies as a concentration within the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies (MALS). This is a 30 credit hour program that can be completed at your own pace. The degree may be completed either on campus or from a distance through online and compressed video courses. An interdisciplinary approach allows students to combine disciplines in their study of Maine, for example to apply the writing of Martin Luther King to the minimum wage in Maine; or to include oral history and photography to examine the work of a blood worm digger; or to use history and new media to construct a women's history trail; or to investigate how public art in Maine might be useful in teaching social studies in the public schools.

For more information on this program, please call the Maine Studies office at 581-3147 or visit our web site: http://www.umaine.edu/mainestudies/

On behalf of Primary Source:

2013 Primary Source Summer Institute: This summer, gain valuable resources and expand your understanding of world histories and cultures. Explore the institutes below and then contact registration@primarysource.org.

Educators in Primary Source partner schools and districts (see http://primarysource.org/our-partner-schools-a-districts) should contact their school/district representative (see http://primarysource.org/contact-information) with registration requests.

Face-To-Face Summer Institutes take place in the Boston area and offer 3 graduate credits (additional fees apply):

The U.S. and the World: Expressions of Power, Past and Present – http://primarysource.org/the-us-and-the-world – July 8-12, 2013, Watertown, Mass. Especially for educators of grades 6-12

The Distinctive Dynasties of Ancient and Imperial China - http://primarysource.org/distinctive-dynasties-of-ancient-and-imperial-china - July 15-19, 2013, Hingham, Mass. Open to all K-12 educators

Teaching for Global Understanding in the 21st Century - http://primarysource.org/globaledsummer - July 22-26, 2013, Boston College. Open to all K-12 educators

Cultural Proficiency for Today's Diverse Schools: A Multidisciplinary Approach- http://primarysource.org/cultural-proficiency-for-todays-diverse-schools - August 5-9, 2013, Reading, Mass. Open to all K-12 educators

Online Summer Institutes allow you to learn on your own time, from anywhere. Two graduate credits are available (additional fees apply):

Japan and the World: Historical and Cultural Developments - http://primarysource.org/japanandtheworld - June 12-August 20, 2013, Open to all K-12 educators

The Enduring Legacy of Ancient China - http://primarysource.org/ancientchinaonlinecourse - June 12-August 20, 2013, Open to all K-12 educators

Changing China: History and Culture Since 1644 - http://primarysource.org/modern-china-online-course - June 12-August 20, 2013, Especially for educators of grades 6-12

Special 4-Week Online Summer Institute: Educators in partnership with Primary Source should note that this is a special session not covered by partnership fees. Regular course fees apply for all interested educators.

Thinking Like a Historian: Immigration History Through Primary Sources - http://primarysource.org/thinkinglikeahistorian - July 10-August 6, 2013, Especially for educators of grades K-8; 1 graduate credit available.

On behalf of the University of Maine:

Québec Dimensions Summer Institute for K-12 Professionals: June 23-28, 2013 in Montreal & Québec City.

Based in the North-American birthplace of New France and led by the Northeast National Resource Center on Canada, the Institute will explore themes relevant to geography and history curriculum.

Through briefings by experts and site visits we will investigate questions such as : Could NAFTA make Québec increasingly detached from Canada and closer to the US? What are possible impacts of globalization on the future of French in Canada and in Québec? What ambitions does the Parti Québécois have for the province?

Rolling applications are accepted through May 15th.

Registration is USD $649 and includes double-occupancy at four-star hotels, some meals, transportation during the program, speaker and educational site fees, curriculum materials and a certificate of clock hours. Graduate credit is available for an additional $205.

Learn about Québec in Québec! It is a province with three climate regions, one of the largest rivers in the world: the St. Lawrence, and two of Canada's important cities: Montreal - the 2nd largest French-speaking city in the world, and Québec City - a UNESCO world heritage site.

Itinerary and Registration: www.umaine.edu/teachingcanada

On behalf of College of the Atlantic:

Graduate course offering July 7 - 12, 2013: The Imaginative Classroom: Creating Depth with the Arts taught by Amber Pickers

Students are born with a natural curiosity and desire to imagine, create, explore, and learn. But how do we find ways to foster that in the classroom, while still meeting content mandates? Come spend a week by the sea at the College of the Atlantic, and learn how to integrate art, critical-thinking, and student-driven inquiry into regular content curriculum. Leave understanding aesthetic education, and how to encourage imagination, creativity, and innovation while still meeting the rigorous demands of state and national requirements. Come and explore the many opportunities students can have to "experience" art through performance, observation and creation of visual art, and interaction with pieces that directly integrate with your curriculum. Enjoy an evening performance, visit a local artist, and explore the vast resources of the Farnsworth Museum. We'll also take that exposure and learn how to create lessons that inspire creativity and natural curiosity. You'll even leave with a portfolio of a wide variety of unit ideas that tie to your own individual curriculum.

For more information visit coa.edu/summercoursesforteachers.htm or contact Summer Programs at the College of the Atlantic (1-800-597-9500 or email summer@coa.edu).

On behalf of KIDS Consortium:

Reminder: Service-Learning Planning and Implementing Workshop, August 20-21, 2013; 8:30am to 3:30 pm; Freeport Middle School Library, Freeport, Maine
Service-learning is a hands-on, learner-centered teaching strategy that challenges young people to work with community partners, applying academic knowledge and skills to solve real problems and needs. Through service-learning, students develop and demonstrate proficiency of standards (Common Core and Next Generation Science) , including essential 21st century skills - critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and team work.

This 2-day training will help participants develop a basic understanding of KIDS Consortium’s award winning service-learning model. Through interactive games and visuals, participants will learn the difference between community based learning, community service, and service-learning, and why service-learning is an effective teaching strategy. You will be prepared to implement a high quality service-learning project using tools and strategies from our KIDS As Planners Guidebook and have time to plan "how to" integrate service-learning in to your teaching environment and receive feedback on your ideas.

Registration is required. Registration deadline: July 20. Fee is $300 and includes the KIDS As Planners Guidebook, contact hours certificate, light breakfast and lunch each day. Please visit our Website to register. We accept, check, PO’s, and credit card payments: http://www.kidsconsortium.org/getting_started.php.

Dirigo Boys & Girls State; Guide to Videos; Reminders: Upcoming PD Opportunities (4/9/13)

Student Nominations for Dirigo Boys and Girls State: The two programs, sponsored by the American Legion, are designed to instruct high school juniors in the process of local, county, and state government. Applications due June 1. For more information, see the dispatch in the DOE Newsroom: http://mainedoenews.net/2013/04/03/boys-and-girls-state-nominations/#more-18407.

MindShift Teachers’ Guide to Using Videos: With so much available at our fingertips, where should we start? This guide includes tips and strategies to help identify and evaluate videos and suggestions on how to blend videos into curriculum: http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/files/2013/03/MindShift-Guide-to-Videos.pdf.

Reminder: Community Conversation about Domestic Violence: Outside the Wire, a nationally acclaimed theater company, will be using scenes from A Streetcar Named Desire to examine the topic of domestic violence. Responses by a panel of community members and a town-hall style discussion will follow the dramatic readings. The event will be held from 7-9 pm at Portland High School on April 16; the Franco-American Heritage Center in Lewiston on April 17; and Husson University in Bangor on April 18. Seating is limited at all performances. Visit the Maine Humanities Council website for more information and tickets (pay as you can option): http://mainehumanities.org/programs/litandmed/special-program-2013.html.

Reminder: Maine Humanities Summit: The University of Maine Humanities Initiative will host a daylong Maine Humanities Summit at the Governor Hill Mansion in Augusta on Friday, May 17, 2013. To view the Maine Humanities Summit Announcement: http://umaine.edu/umhi/files/2013/02/Maine-Humanities-Summit-Flyer6.pdf. To register for the Summit, email Amy Cross (amy.cross@umit.maine.edu) and provide your full name.

Reminder: Financial Literacy Conference: Registration is now open for the 4th Annual Fostering Financial Literacy in Maine Schools Conference, hosted by the Maine Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy. The conference will feature workshops presented by classroom teachers and financial literacy experts and will be held at the Augusta Civic Center on May 2. Registration fee is $25, however, fee waivers and financial support for substitute teacher expenses is available on a first-come, first-served basis. For more details and to register, visit: http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07e73ia2tadd4305ef&llr=orrbr6iabundefined

Reminder: Summer Institute for K-12 Professionals: Québec Dimensions: Historical, Geographic and Cultural Explorations will offer a unique professional development opportunity for K-12 curriculum coordinators and teachers of social studies, geography, history or French. It will be held in Quebec. Rolling applications are accepted on a first come, first served through May 1st and participation is capped at 20. Registration is USD $649 and includes double-occupancy at four-star hotels, some meals, transportation during the program, speaker/educational site fees, and curriculum materials. For more information and to register, visit the University of Maine’s Teaching Canada site: http://umaine.edu/teachingcanada/professional-development/summer-institute-for-k-12-professionals/.

On behalf of Maine Humanities Council and Maine Historical Society:

Reminder: Civil War Symposium: Maine Historical Society and Maine Humanities Council invite you to a public Civil War symposium, April 27, 2013, from 9AM-4PM, at USM's Hannaford Hall. National and Maine-based speakers will address the beginnings and causes of the war, and why it still matters 150 years later. Breakout sessions focus on Civil War photography, and the medicine, literature, and theater of the era.

Advance registration is required. $35 general public; $20 students.

Includes lunch and refreshments. CEUs available.

For all the details and registration info, please visit http://mainehumanities.org/special-programs/civil-war/symposium.html.

Community Conversation; Holocaust Remembrance Day; Grants; Summer Archaeology Programs; Reminders (4/2/13)

Community Conversation about Domestic Violence: Outside the Wire, a nationally acclaimed theater company, will be using scenes from A Streetcar Named Desire to examine the topic of domestic violence. Responses by a panel of community members and a town-hall style discussion will follow the dramatic readings. The event will be held from 7-9 pm at Portland High School on April 16; the Franco-American Heritage Center in Lewiston on April 17; and Husson University in Bangor on April 18. Seating is limited at all performances. Visit the Maine Humanities Council website for more information and tickets (pay as you can option): http://mainehumanities.org/programs/litandmed/special-program-2013.html.

Yom HaShoah A Day of Remembrance in honor of the survivors, liberators and those who perished in the Holocaust: The Holocaust and Human Rights Center of Maine will be holding a special event on Sunday, April 7 from 2-4 at the Klahr Center on the University of Maine Augusta campus. The keynote speaker will be Holocaust Survivor, Charles Rotmil. For more information, visit: http://hhrc.uma.edu/yom-hashoah/.

Arts and Culture in Schools Grants from Target: Target Arts and Culture in Schools Grants help schools and nonprofits to bring arts and cultural experiences directly to K-12 students. These programs must have a curriculum component. Maximum award: $2,000. Eligibility: schools and nonprofit organizations. Deadline: April 30, 2013 For application and information: https://corporate.target.com/corporate-responsibility/grants/early-childhood-reading-grants.

Summer Archaeological Field School: The Old Berwick Historical Society is sponsoring a summer program for high school and college students and teachers interested in archaeology. The program will be held June 17-July 5 and July 15-26 in South Berwick, Maine. Visit http://www.maine.gov/education/lres/ss/documents/2013-field-school-flyer.pdf for more details and information.

On behalf of the Maine Humanities Council:

Archaeology Summer Camp for Students, Grades 7-12: Digging Up the Past: Archaeology and History at Colonial Fort Richmond - A FREE one-week day camp offered by the Maine Humanities Council

June 24 – 28, 2013

9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Fort Western, Augusta; MDOT Fort Richmond archaeological dig, Richmond; Maine State Museum, Augusta

The Maine frontier was a dangerous place for European settlers, who dotted the landscape with forts to protect themselves against rival European factions and Native Americans. In Richmond, along the Kennebec River, there were likely two forts, one built around 1721 and the second built in the same location around 1740. Neither survived the 18th century. Get your hands dirty and help unearth the forts before a new bridge is built across the Kennebec. Teachers, please let your students know about this opportunity! For more information, visit http://mainehumanities.org/programs/history-camp/archaeology.html.

Reminder: Maine Humanities Summit: The University of Maine Humanities Initiative will host a daylong Maine Humanities Summit at the Governor Hill Mansion in Augusta on Friday, May 17, 2013. To view the Maine Humanities Summit Announcement: http://umaine.edu/umhi/files/2013/02/Maine-Humanities-Summit-Flyer6.pdf. To register for the Summit, email Amy Cross (amy.cross@umit.maine.edu) and provide your full name.

Reminder: Financial Literacy Conference: Registration is now open for the 4th Annual Fostering Financial Literacy in Maine Schools Conference, hosted by the Maine Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy. The conference will feature workshops presented by classroom teachers and financial literacy experts and will be held at the Augusta Civic Center on May 2. Registration fee is $25, however, fee waivers and financial support for substitute teacher expenses is available on a first-come, first-served basis. For more details and to register, visit: http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07e73ia2tadd4305ef&llr=orrbr6iabundefined.

Jr. Achievement Webinar Today; Financial Literacy Conference; Service-Learning Workshop; Civil War Symposium (3/26/13)

Reminder – Webinar this afternoon: On behalf of Maine Jump$tart Coalition:

Free Junior Achievement Webinar: Discover how Junior Achievement's sequential K-12 age-appropriate, hands-on programs inspire and open students minds to their potential and provide them with life-learning skills to better prepare them for the world of work and succeed in a global economy. This FREE webinar is sponsored by the Maine Jump$tart Coalition and is intended for educators, administrators, counselors, curriculum coordinators and more!

Presenters: Mike Stone, President, Junior Achievement of Maine and Jill Jamison, Area Board Operations Director, Junior Achievement of Maine.

Tuesday, March 26, 2013 from 3:00 - 3:30

For details and to register, contact info@mejumpstart.org.

Financial Literacy Conference: Registration is now open for the 4th Annual Fostering Financial Literacy in Maine Schools Conference, hosted by the Maine Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy. The conference will feature workshops presented by classroom teachers and financial literacy experts and will be held at the Augusta Civic Center on May 2. Registration fee is $25, however, fee waivers and financial support for substitute teacher expenses is available on a first-come, first-served basis. For more details and to register, visit: http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07e73ia2tadd4305ef&llr=orrbr6iabundefined.

On behalf of KIDS Consortium:

Service-Learning Planning and Implementing Workshop

August 20-21, 2013; 8:30am to 3:30 pm, Freeport Middle School Library, Freeport, Maine

Service-learning is a hands-on, learner-centered teaching strategy that challenges young people to work with community partners, applying academic knowledge and skills to solve real problems and needs. Through service-learning, students develop and demonstrate proficiency of standards (Common Core and Next Generation Science), including essential 21st century skills - critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and team work.

This 2-day training will help participants develop a basic understanding of KIDS Consortium’s award winning service-learning model. Through interactive games and visuals, participants will learn the difference between community based learning, community service, and service-learning, and why service-learning is an effective teaching strategy. You will be prepared to implement a high quality service-learning project using tools and strategies from our KIDS As Planners Guidebook and have time to plan "how to" integrate service-learning in to your teaching environment and receive feedback on your ideas.

Registration is required. Registration deadline: July 20. Fee is $300 and includes the KIDS As Planners Guidebook, contact hours certificate, light breakfast and lunch each day. Please visit our Website to register. We accept, check, PO’s, and credit card payments: http://www.kidsconsortium.org/getting_started.php.

Reminder: On behalf of Maine Humanities Council and Maine Historical Society:

Civil War Symposium: Maine Historical Society and Maine Humanities Council invite you to a public Civil War symposium, April 27, 2013, from 9AM-4PM, at USM's Hannaford Hall. National and Maine-based speakers will address the beginnings and causes of the war, and why it still matters 150 years later. Breakout sessions focus on Civil War photography, and the medicine, literature, and theater of the era.

Advance registration is required. $35 general public; $20 students. Includes lunch and refreshments. CEUs available.

For all the details and registration info, please visit: http://mainehumanities.org/special-programs/civil-war/symposium.html.

Maine Humanities Summit; PD Opportunities; Giant Floor Maps; Student Opportunities; Civil War Symposium (3/19/13)

Maine Humanities Summit: The University of Maine Humanities Initiative will host a daylong Maine Humanities Summit at the Governor Hill Mansion in Augusta on Friday, May 17, 2013. To view the Maine Humanities Summit Announcement: http://umaine.edu/umhi/files/2013/02/Maine-Humanities-Summit-Flyer6.pdf. To register for the Summit, email Amy Cross (amy.cross@umit.maine.edu) and provide your full name.

Roots of the Arab Spring: Understanding the Historical Context for the Arab Uprisings: The deadline for this NEH Summer Institute has been extended to Monday, March 25. For all the details, including application instructions, please visit: http://arabspring.ucdavis.edu/. The Institute will be held on the University of California, Davis campus from July 15 through August 2, 2013. A $2,700 stipend will help to offset travel and living expenses. Teachers will work closely with an interdisciplinary team of scholars and develop their own curriculum projects. NEH Summer Scholars will leave the institute equipped with knowledge and resources for planning instruction and engaging students in discussions about democracy and the nature of civic participation at home and abroad.

Maine Geographic Alliance and Giant Floor Maps: A US floor map is available at no charge from the end of May until school ends. It is also available over the summer for libraries or school programs. Please contact Sue Lahti for more information: susan_lahti@beeline-online.net. Maine Geographic Alliance (MGA) is budgeting for two two-week sessions with a Giant Traveling map for the 2013-2014 school year. Options include: North America, South America, Africa, Asia, Europe and the Pacific Ocean region. If your school is interested in hosting a map for a day at a cost of $200.00, please contact Sue Lahti at the above email. For upcoming events, visit the MGA Facebook page or website: www.mainegeographyed.org.

Summer Institute for K-12 Professionals: Québec Dimensions - Historical, Geographic and Cultural Explorations will offer a unique professional development opportunity for K-12 curriculum coordinators and teachers of social studies, geography, history or French. It will be held in Quebec. Rolling applications are accepted on a first come, first served basis through May 1st and participation is capped at 20. Registration is USD $649 and includes double-occupancy at four-star hotels, some meals, transportation during the program, speaker/educational site fees, and curriculum materials. For more information and to register, visit the University of Maine’s Teaching Canada site: http://umaine.edu/teachingcanada/professional-development/summer-institute-for-k-12-professionals/.

Free Summer Institute: The Choices Approach: Thinking Geographically About International Issues: The Institute is being held June 26-28 and will focus on the Choices Program’s The United States in Afghanistan unit. The application deadline is Monday, April 8. Housing, meals and materials will be provided. Participants will be responsible for travel costs to/from Brown University in Providence, RI. For more information and an application: http://www.choices.edu/pd/geo-2013/.

Geospatial Sciences Scholarship Opportunity: The United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation (USGIF) has announced the opening of their 2013 Scholarship Program. USGIF is dedicated to assisting promising students interested in geospatial sciences with scholarship awards to further the advancement of the geospatial intelligence tradecraft. Students studying geospatial intelligence or any related field are encouraged to submit their applications by the April 19, 2013 deadline. Graduating high school seniors, undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students can download applications at http://usgif.org/education/scholarships.

On behalf of Maine Jump$tart Coalition:

Free Junior Achievement Webinar: Discover how Junior Achievement's sequential K-12 age-appropriate, hands-on programs inspire and open students minds to their potential and provide them with life-learning skills to better prepare them for the world of work and succeed in a global economy. This FREE webinar is sponsored by the Maine Jump$tart Coalition and is intended for educators, administrators, counselors, curriculum coordinators and more!

Presenters: Mike Stone, President, Junior Achievement of Maine and Jill Jamison, Area Board Operations Director, Junior Achievement of Maine

Tuesday, March 26, 2013 from 3:00 - 3:30

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

On behalf of the Maine State Museum:

Tours and Gallery Programs - State House Tours & Blaine House Tours: Let us help you plan a field trip to Augusta and the State House Complex!

The Maine State Museum offers over 25 different educational programs and tours about Maine’s natural environment, prehistory, industry and agriculture, and social history. Take a look at our website www.mainestatemuseum.org/learn/ for easy online reservations and detailed descriptions of all our educator-led gallery programs and tours. Don’t forget we can also help you schedule Maine State House Tours and Blaine House Tours. Museum admission and all of our tours and gallery programs are free for schools!

New Gallery Program: Malaga Island, Fragmented Lives Gallery Program: This hour-long gallery program is designed for middle level students and explores the story of this 19th century mixed-race community and its individual members, while placing their experience in the context of a changing economy and social movements within the state and nation. The program entails guided student-driven discussion, hands-on activities, and independent and group work. The program is designed to encourage critical thinking, questioning, examining of evidence, and challenging sources and assumptions from all angles.

Interactive Theater in the Museum Special Opportunity - May 6: The Marti Stevens Interactive Improvisational Theater is partnering with the Maine State Museum to present the difficult and challenging subject matter of the Malaga Island story in a manner that is both entertaining and engaging. The Marti Stevens Interactive Improvisational Theater will involve the audience in recognizing issues of tolerance, civil rights, and social justice, as well as in strategizing solutions concerning these issues. Interactive improvisational theater encourages cooperation, critical thinking, respect for others, and taking healthy risks to express oneself in front of peers.

The Maine State Museum is now offering funds to defray the cost of transporting students to view the exhibit Malaga Island, Fragmented Lives and participate in an educator-led gallery program. Please call 287-6608 or email Joanna Torow at joanna.torow@maine.gov to learn how to apply. Reservations recommended for all Group Visits. For reservations and more information: call 207-287-2301 or visit www.mainestatemuseum.org/learn/.

On behalf of Maine Humanities Council and Maine Historical Society:

Reminder: Civil War Symposium: Maine Historical Society and Maine Humanities Council invite you to a public Civil War symposium, April 27, 2013, from 9AM-4PM, at USM's Hannaford Hall. National and Maine-based speakers will address the beginnings and causes of the war, and why it still matters 150 years later. Breakout sessions focus on Civil War photography, and the medicine, literature, and theater of the era.

Advance registration is required. $35 general public; $20 students. Includes lunch and refreshments. CEUs available.

For all the details and registration info, please visit http://mainehumanities.org/special-programs/civil-war/symposium.html.

Statehood Day Resources (3/14/13)

Title 1, Chapter 5 §116, designates March 15 of each year as Statehood Day to “commemorate the admission of Maine as a state into the United States of America and the ideals and wisdom of those men and women who have formed Maine’s history and traditions”.

Maine Historical Society provides a number of online resources, among them:

To Separate or Not to Separate, That is the Question - an online exhibit by Candace Kanes: http://www.mainememory.net/sitebuilder/site/840/page/1250/display?use_mmn

Maine History Online provides information and primary sources to trace the events leading up to Maine’s official separation from Massachusetts in 1820, in the 1775-1820 Tension, War & Separation section: http://www.mainememory.net/sitebuilder/site/899/page/1310/display?page=1 and a focus on the years after statehood in the 1820-1850 A New State & Prosperity section: http://www.mainememory.net/sitebuilder/site/901/page/1312/display;

Maine History Online - Themes Section: William King’s work is highlighted under Leaders & Causes: http://www.mainememory.net/sitebuilder/site/883/page/1294/display, and Peopling Maine provides a snapshot of Maine’s people: http://www.mainememory.net/sitebuilder/site/879/page/1290/display?page=1;

Finding Katahdin: An Online Exploration of Maine’s Past includes primary sources and lesson plans to complement Finding Katahdin: An Exploration of Maine’s Past. Chapter 4, From Revolution to Statehood includes a collection of primary sources and lesson plans: http://www.mainememory.net/schools/schools_FK.shtml.

C3 Review Team; Big Help Grants; Psychology Network Grants; TEAMS Teaching Prize (3/13/13)

Reminder: Applications for C3 Review Team Due Friday, March 15: If you’re currently serving as a K-12 social studies teacher and have an interest in participating in the review of the College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework for State Standards in Social Studies, please complete a short online application by Friday, March15: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/C3ReviewTeamApp. Representation from all regions of the state, as well as grade levels, will be considered in the selection process. Notification will occur no later than March 22. For more information: http://www.maine.gov/education/lres/ss/index.html#c3review.

NEA Foundation/Nickelodeon Big Help Grants for K-8: The grants ($2,000 and $5,000) are dedicated to the development and implementation of ideas, techniques, and approaches for addressing four key concerns: environmental awareness, health and wellness, students’ right to a quality public education, and active community involvement. The proposed work should engage students in critical thinking and problem solving that deepen their knowledge of standards-based subject matter. The work should also improve students’ habits of inquiry, self-directed learning, and critical reflection. To learn more, visit: http://www.nea.org/grants/43347.htm Deadline: June 1, 2013.

High School Psychology Teacher Network Grants: The purpose of these grants is to support the development of local and regional networks of psychology teachers. For details, visit: http://www.apa.org/apf/funding/psychology-teacher-network.aspx. Application deadline is May 1, 2013.

3rd Annual TEAMS Teaching Prize: TEAMS (The Consortium for the Teaching of the Middle Ages) is seeking submissions for its teaching prize for K-12 teachers. Teachers may submit their original, unpublished lesson plans dealing with medieval studies topics for consideration. The first prize recipient will receive a cash award of $1,000, and the second prize recipient will receive $500. Additionally, the first prize recipient will be provided with a subsidy to attend the following year’s International Congress on Medieval Studies in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Deadline for submission is April 15, 2013. For more information: http://www.teamsmedieval.org/ofc/SP09/Spring2012TeachingPrize.html.

Reminders; Maine Geographic Bee; Summer PD Opportunities; Maine International Resource Directory; Free AWTT Workshop (3/5/13)

Reminder: Apply to be a member of the C3 Review Team: If you’re currently serving as a K-12 social studies teacher and have an interest in participating in the review of the College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework for State Standards in Social Studies, please complete a short online application by Friday, March15: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/C3ReviewTeamApp. Representation from all regions of the state, as well as grade levels, will be considered in the selection process. Notification will occur no later than March 22. For more information: http://www.maine.gov/education/lres/ss/index.html#c3review.

Reminder: March 8 Deadline for Maine Constitution Essay and Poster Contest for K-12 Students. For more information visit: www.maine.gov/sos/kids/studentprograms/const_essay.htm or call the Secretary of State’s Office: 626-8400.

2013 Maine Geographic Bee: The Maine Geographic Bee will be held on April 5th at the University of Maine at Farmington. The top 100 Maine contenders will converge on the campus for the competition. The top ten contestants will be determined in five preliminary rounds, followed by the finial competition at 3PM in Lincoln Auditorium. The final competition is open to the public. For further information contact Brian H. Cushing, Maine Geographic Bee Coordinator, at brianhcushing@gmail.com.

National Council for the Social Studies Upcoming Conferences and Workshops: Visit the NCSS web page for a listing of professional learning opportunities available this spring and summer: http://members.socialstudies.org/Scripts/4Disapi.dll/4DCGI/events/ConferenceList.html?Action=Find_Events.

Supreme Court Summer Institute: Street Law, Inc. and the Supreme Court Historical Society will sponsor two sessions of the annual Supreme Court Summer Institute, June 13–18 and June 20–25, 2013. The Institute is open to secondary level social studies teachers and supervisors, who will spend six days on Capitol Hill and inside the Supreme Court learning about the Court, its past and current cases, and how to teach about them from top Supreme Court litigators & educators. To apply visit: http://www.streetlaw.org/scsi_apply. Application deadline is March 11, 2013.

Uberoi Foundation Fellowship for Teaching Dharmic Traditions: The immersion program is held at UMASS Dartmouth July 29-August 2, 2013 and includes sessions with scholars about the geography, history, philosophies, and traditions connected to Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism. For more details and an application, visit: http://www.umassd.edu/indic/uberoi/ Application deadline is March 15.

The Bill of Rights Institute’s Founders Fellowships: Workshop will be July 22–26, 2013 in Washington, D.C.. Teachers will explore the Founding Era and the intersections of civil and economic liberty. Accommodations, transportation during the program, and most meals will be covered by the Institute. A $400 travel stipend will be provided at the conclusion of the program. An additional $100 will be available upon completion of all post-program activities. Participating teachers will receive a certificate for 30 hours. Visit http://billofrightsinstitute.org/ff-2013description. Deadline for application is March 26, 2013.

National Portrait Gallery Summer Institute: Retrace Abraham Lincoln’s footsteps and explore mid-19th-century Washington in “The Civil War in Lincoln’s Washington” Summer Teacher Institute with the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC. In addition to utilizing the collection of portraits of Lincoln at the National Portrait Gallery, participants will also visit and work with educators at President Lincoln’s Cottage and Ford’s Theatre. The institute will be held July 8–11, 2013. Core-subject teachers for grades 4–12 may apply as individuals or as part of a team. Priority will be given to social studies and English/language-arts teachers. A program fee of $100 per person is due upon acceptance into the teacher institute. Participants are responsible for travel and lodging costs. To apply, visit: http://npg.si.edu/education/teachprog.html. Application deadline is April 1, 2013.

Eisenhower Academy: This year’s summer institute for teachers will be held July 14–19, 2013 at Gettysburg College and Eisenhower National Historic Site in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Sponsored by the National Park Service, Gettysburg College, and The Dwight D. Eisenhower Society, the Academy presents an in-depth perspective of Dwight D. Eisenhower as president and world leader, and introduces strategies for teaching the Cold War era in the classroom. Lectures and discussion cover civil rights, the Cold War, 1950s economics, popular culture, and new scholarship on the Eisenhower Presidency. Field trips include a visit to the Eisenhowers’ home and a guided walk through historic downtown Gettysburg to explore Eisenhower’s life and times. Total cost, including field trips, special evening events, banquet, single occupancy lodging and lunches is $695 for early registration (by April 1). For late registration (through June 10, 2013) the cost is $750. Cost for day students is $485. Professional education credits and graduate credits are available. For more information, visit http://www.nps.gov/eise/index.htm.

On behalf of the World Affairs Council of Maine:

The World Affairs Council of Maine is pleased to announce that the Maine International Resource Directory is revised and available online! The web-based Maine International Resource Directory provides descriptions and contact information for over 200 Maine organizations that are involved in international activity. The Directory is published by the World Affairs Council of Maine to promote dialogue among those interested in international affairs and provides a valuable learning resource about Maine's involvement with the international community. The Directory was revised in 2012 and is updated regularly.

You will find the Directory online at www.wacmaine.org/mird.

We welcome information about additions and corrections to the Directory. Please e-mail to info@wacmaine.org and put MIRD in the subject line.

On behalf of Americans Who Tell the Truth and Operation Breaking Stereotypes:

Americans Who Tell the Truth and Operation Breaking Stereotypes invite you to a free workshop, Inspiring Student Citizenship and Performance. The workshop will be held at Lewiston-Auburn College, March 14, 3:30 – 7 pm. We are excited to offer you this opportunity to frame your course content in a meaningful real world context as you guide your students to become informed, courageous citizens.

A selection of Robert Shetterly´s Americans Who Tell the Truth (AWTT) portraits will be on exhibit in the gallery at Lewiston-Auburn College from February 20 until March 14. Apart from being inspiring and stimulating paintings, they have, over the past decade, proven to be accessible and effective classroom tools, especially in the visual and performing arts, social studies, history, and English/language arts disciplines.

Come be part of a presentation and conversation about how AWTT materials have and can be employed in classrooms to increase student interest and performance. In Louisville, Kentucky, where the portraits have been a part of public school curricula for four years, students have demonstrated improved attendance, retention and performance. This workshop will acquaint you with AWTT, its educational resources, connections to content and standards, and ways to use this material in your school and classroom.

Presenters include AWTT artist Robert Shetterly, an AWTT portrait subject, and, a teacher who has used AWTT in the classroom.

The space will be limited to the first 30 teachers and administrators who wish to attend. Please go to the following link now to reserve your space: http://americanswhotellthetruth.org/events/awtt-workshop-for-middle-and-high-school-teachers-in-lewiston-auburn or e-mail Connie Carter: conniecarter21@gmail.com to ask a question. Feel free to suggest this to other teachers in your building or district. We are encouraging people to come as a team – administrator, content area teachers, students – whatever you feel constitutes a “team” at your school!

Apply Now for Maine's C3 Review Team (3/1/13)

Invitation for all K-12 Social Studies Teachers: Apply now to be a member of the C3 Review Team - In preparation for the eventual release of the College, Career, and Civic Life (C3): Framework for State Standards in Social Studies, Maine will be creating a team, comprised primarily of K-12 social studies educators, to comb through the C3 document and provide feedback.

Members of the C3 Review Team will have at least one virtual meeting (after school hours) and be asked to submit their feedback electronically. No specific protocols or dates have yet been shared with us regarding the review process. However, the Council of Chief State School Officers has indicated that the draft document will be released in April, 2013. We will have a short window (probably 2 weeks) to collect and compile feedback.

If you’re currently serving as a K-12 social studies teacher and have an interest in participating in this review, please complete a short online application by Friday, March 15: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/C3ReviewTeamApp Representation from all regions of the state, as well as grade levels, will be considered in the selection process. Notification will occur no later than March 22.

Please note: in addition to the C3 Review Team, other opportunities for feedback will be provided to a larger audience through an online survey.

Thanks for your patience and flexibility as we wait for more information. As always, details and information will be posted to the Maine DOE Social Studies ListServ once available. Please direct any questions to Kristie Littlefield via email: kristie.littlefield@maine.gov or phone: (207) 624-6828.

C3 Framework Update; Upcoming Free PD; Smithsonian Quests; Summer Professional Learning Opportunities; Reminders (2/26/13)

Update on the C3 Social Studies Framework: A refresher on the backstory: Maine, along with over 20 other states, is a member of the Social Studies Assessment Curriculum and Instruction (SSACI) Collaborative of the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO). SSACI had been working in collaboration with the National Council for Social Studies and 14 other content organizations representing civics, economics, geography, and history to develop a shared set of social studies standards.

In late October, 2012, CCSSO agreed to publish the document and stated the published document will be a framework for writing standards.

CCSSO released an overview document entitled College, Career, and Civic Life (C3): Framework for State Standards in Social Studies in November. This document serves as an overview of the framework, not the framework itself. If you haven’t had a chance to read the short overview, you can find a copy here: http://www.maine.gov/education/lres/ss/documents/C3%20Vision%20Statement%20Nov%202012.pdf

To date, SSACI members have not seen a draft of the work since August, 2012. At this stage, the work is being revised and edited by the writers and CCSSO. The latest communication from SSACI indicates that “targeted reviews” will be conducted sometime in April where states will have the opportunity to collect and compile feedback.

No specific protocols or dates have been shared with us, but I have learned that we will have a very short window once CCSSO releases a draft. I will continue to post updates and information as it becomes available.

Stay tuned!

Reminder: FoolProof Webinar TODAY, February, 26, from 3:00-3:30. The Maine Jump$tart Coalition is offering this free webinar, with the CEO of FoolProof presenting. To register for the webinar: http://www.foolproofteacher.com/webinar/ or for more information on the free FoolProof program: www.foolproofteacher.com.

FREE Abbe Museum 2013 Teacher Workshop: Monday, March 18 at the Abbe Museum in Bar Harbor from 8:30-4:30. In support of the Wabanaki Initiative, the Abbe Museum is hosting its annual workshop for teachers of all grade levels. This free workshop will focus on resources, content, and teaching methods for teaching about the four federally recognized tribes in Maine, known collectively as the Wabanaki. The day will consist of two sessions, with a short lunch break in between.

Session 1: The Maine Educational Scene: Kristie Littlefield, Maine Department of Education Social Studies Specialist, will provide an overview of Education Evolving: Maine’s Plan for Putting Learners First and will highlight the key shifts and instructional implications associated with the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy. Teachers will have the opportunity to ask questions and brainstorm as a group about implementation strategies. We will also discuss how the Wabanaki Initiative fits into these changes.

Session 2: Passamaquoddy artists David Moses Bridges and George Neptune will discuss material culture, including the tradition of ash and sweetgrass fancy baskets and birchbark. David is an accomplished birchbark artist and canoe builder who will share information about the invention of this craft, the ecology and mathematics that go into building a canoe, and the cultural significance of the boats. George comes from a long line of basketmakers, and will demonstrate working with ash, share basketmaking traditions, and the continued importance basketmaking has to Wabanaki culture and identity.

Contact hours will be available. Registration is required. To register, contact: Raney Bench 288-3519 or raney@abbemuseum.org.

New! Smithsonian Quests: The Smithsonian Center for Education and Museum Studies has launched a program that promotes interdisciplinary project-based learning and encourages students to explore their own interests. Students complete a series of activities and submit their work to Smithsonian education experts for review. Students may earn digital badges and have the opportunity to collaborate with others. For more information: http://smithsonianquests.org/about/.

Congress in the Classroom Program for Teachers: Congress in the Classroom is a national, award-winning education program developed and sponsored by The Dirksen Congressional Center and designed for high school or middle school teachers who teach U.S. history, government, civics, political science, or social studies. Thirty-five teachers will be selected to take part in the program. Applications will be accepted through March 15. Sessions for 2013 will be held July 29 - August 1 in East Peoria, IL.

Participants are responsible for a non-refundable $135 registration fee and transportation to and from Peoria, Illinois. The Center pays for three nights lodging at the headquarters hotel (providing a single room for each participant), workshop materials, local transportation, and all meals.

If you are interested in learning more about the sessions and registering for the Congress in the Classroom 2013 workshop, visit: http://www.dirksencenter.org/print_programs_CongressClassroom.htm#what.

Summer Travel Programs for Educators: Global Exploration for Educators Organization (GEEO) is a 501c3 non-profit organization that runs summer professional development travel programs designed for teachers. GEEO is offering 23 different travel programs for the summer of 2013: India/Nepal, Italy, Portugal/Spain, Amalfi Coast, Eastern Europe, Budapest to Istanbul, Vietnam, Comfort Thailand, Thailand/Laos, Cambodia, China, Comfort China, Russia/Mongolia/China, Turkey 15 day, Turkey 8-Day, Kenya/Tanzania, South Africa/Mozambique/Zimbabwe/Botswana, Morocco, Peru, Ecuador, The Galapagos Islands, Uzbekistan, and Costa Rica. The registration deadline is June 1st, but space is limited.

Educators have the option to earn graduate school credit and professional development credit while seeing the world. Detailed information about each trip, including itineraries, costs, travel dates, and more can be found at www.geeo.org. GEEO can be reached 7 days a week, toll free at 1-877-600-0105 between 9AM-9PM EST.

Reminder: On behalf of the Secretary of State’s Office:

Maine Constitution Essay and Poster Contest for K-12 Students: The Secretary of State’s Office is excited to continue our most popular student program, the Maine Constitution Essay and Poster Contest. This program is designed to promote the history of Maine, an understanding of the Maine Constitution, and the importance of democracy and voting.

This contest is open to students at all grade levels. Those in grades K-3 may participate in a poster contest depicting official Maine symbols. Students in grades 4 and 5 are invited to draw posters with a Maine history theme. Students in grades 6-12 are encouraged to participate in essay contests. The essay topic for students in grades 6-8 is the Maine Constitution, while the essay topic for students in grades 9-12 is the importance of voting and democracy.

A good starting point for this contest is the Secretary of State’s Kids’ Page on the Internet. This web site is intended as a supplement to classroom studies and it can be a great resource for students as they prepare their posters or essays. Our web address is www.maine.gov/sos/kids.

A distinguished panel of judges reviews the entries and selects a winner in each category. Each of the four winners will be invited to be the Secretary of State’s guest for a day in Augusta. These students will be able to view the Maine Constitution, a particular honor, since it is only removed from its special vault on very few occasions. The students may also visit the Maine State Museum and the State House.

Contest rules and a registration form are available at: www.maine.gov/sos/kids/student-programs/const_essay.htm. The deadline for receipt of entries has been extended to March 8, 2013. Entries can be e-mailed to sos.office@maine.gov, faxed to 287-8598 or sent by mail to 148 SHS, Augusta, ME, 04333-0148. For more information, visit our website at www.maine.gov/sos/kids/student-programs/const_essay.htm or call our office at 626-8400.

Reminder: On behalf of Maine Humanities Council and Maine Historical Society:

Civil War Symposium: Maine Historical Society and Maine Humanities Council invite you to a public Civil War symposium, April 27, 2013, from 9AM-4PM, at USM's Hannaford Hall. National and Maine-based speakers will address the beginnings and causes of the war, and why it still matters 150 years later. Breakout sessions focus on Civil War photography, and the medicine, literature, and theater of the era.

Advance registration is required. $35 general public; $20 students.

Includes lunch and refreshments. CEUs available.

For all the details and registration info, please visit http://mainehumanities.org/special-programs/civil-war/symposium.html.

Free FoolProof Webinar; Civil War Symposium; Summer Courses; SOS's K-12 Contests (2/19/13)

On behalf of Maine Jump$tart Coalition:

Free Webinar on FoolProof: Join Us for FREE Webinar on FoolProof!

When: Tuesday, February 26, 2013 from 3:00 - 3:30

FoolProof's free and web-driven curriculum is unique, tough as nails, and features young people in videos, audio clips and flash pieces.

FoolProof teaches critical thinking skills, rather than simply teaching money skills. For instance, what good does it do to teach young people budgeting skills if they don't know how to spend money wisely?

Labor-saving and powerful tools that make it easy for you and your class to start using the curriculum immediately. The tools include:

You can monitor individual students or the entire class from any computer.

FoolProof meets Maine's Financial Literacy Standards.

Online lesson plans support your curricular goals.

Students can work at their own pace.

Lessons can be assigned as homework.

Learn more or sign up for our free program: www.foolproofteacher.com. Better yet! Join us for a webinar on February 26th at 3 PM EST. To register, click on the following link: http://www.foolproofteacher.com/webinar/.

Presenter: Nick Buettner - Chief Operating Officer, FoolProof

On behalf of Maine Humanities Council and Maine Historical Society:

Civil War Symposium: Maine Historical Society and Maine Humanities Council invite you to a public Civil War symposium, April 27, 2013, from 9AM-4PM, at USM's Hannaford Hall. National and Maine-based speakers will address the beginnings and causes of the war, and why it still matters 150 years later. Breakout sessions focus on Civil War photography, and the medicine, literature, and theater of the era.

Advance registration is required. $35 general public; $20 students.

Includes lunch and refreshments. CEUs available.

For all the details and registration info, please visit http://mainehumanities.org/special-programs/civil-war/symposium.html.

On behalf of the College of the Atlantic:

2013 Summer Courses for K-12 Teachers: Join other teachers this summer on College of the Atlantic’s seaside campus. COA offers one and two-week field-based courses in multiple disciplines, for graduate credit and continuing education. You will learn in one of Maine’s most beautiful outdoor classrooms - the shores and trails of Mount Desert Island and Acadia National Park. A small sampling of courses offered this summer that may interest you are:

An Anthropologist on Mars: Fieldwork Research Strategies

Introduction to Maritime Archaeology

For a complete course listing, descriptions and schedules, faculty biographies, information on lodging and rates, as well as how to register and apply for limited scholarship assistance, visit our website at: http://www.coa.edu/summercoursefacultybios.htm and please contact our office if you have questions – we are happy to help: e-mail summer@coa.edu or call 1-800-597-9500.

Reminder: On behalf of the Secretary of State’s Office:

Maine Constitution Essay and Poster Contest for K-12 Students: The Secretary of State’s Office is excited to continue our most popular student program, the Maine Constitution Essay and Poster Contest. This program is designed to promote the history of Maine, an understanding of the Maine Constitution, and the importance of democracy and voting.

This contest is open to students at all grade levels. Those in grades K-3 may participate in a poster contest depicting official Maine symbols. Students in grades 4 and 5 are invited to draw posters with a Maine history theme. Students in grades 6-12 are encouraged to participate in essay contests. The essay topic for students in grades 6-8 is the Maine Constitution, while the essay topic for students in grades 9-12 is the importance of voting and democracy.

A good starting point for this contest is the Secretary of State’s Kids’ Page on the Internet. This web site is intended as a supplement to classroom studies and it can be a great resource for students as they prepare their posters or essays. Our web address is www.maine.gov/sos/kids.

A distinguished panel of judges reviews the entries and selects a winner in each category. Each of the four winners will be invited to be the Secretary of State’s guest for a day in Augusta. These students will be able to view the Maine Constitution, a particular honor, since it is only removed from its special vault on very few occasions. The students may also visit the Maine State Museum and the State House.

Contest rules and a registration form are available at: www.maine.gov/sos/kids/student-programs/const_essay.htm. The deadline for receipt of entries has been extended to March 8, 2013. Entries can be e-mailed to sos.office@maine.gov, faxed to 287-8598 or sent by mail to 148 SHS, Augusta, ME, 04333-0148. For more information, visit our website at www.maine.gov/sos/kids/student-programs/const_essay.htm or call our office at 626-8400.

Maine Constitution Essay & Poster Contest for K-12 Students - March 8 Deadline (2/13/13)

On behalf of the Secretary of State’s Office:

Maine Constitution Essay and Poster Contest for K-12 Students: The Secretary of State’s Office is excited to continue our most popular student program, the Maine Constitution Essay and Poster Contest. This program is designed to promote the history of Maine, an understanding of the Maine Constitution, and the importance of democracy and voting.

This contest is open to students at all grade levels. Those in grades K-3 may participate in a poster contest depicting official Maine symbols. Students in grades 4 and 5 are invited to draw posters with a Maine history theme. Students in grades 6-12 are encouraged to participate in essay contests. The essay topic for students in grades 6-8 is the Maine Constitution, while the essay topic for students in grades 9-12 is the importance of voting and democracy.

A good starting point for this contest is the Secretary of State’s Kids’ Page on the Internet. This web site is intended as a supplement to classroom studies and it can be a great resource for students as they prepare their posters or essays. Our web address is www.maine.gov/sos/kids.

A distinguished panel of judges reviews the entries and selects a winner in each category. Each of the four winners will be invited to be the Secretary of State’s guest for a day in Augusta. These students will be able to view the Maine Constitution, a particular honor, since it is only removed from its special vault on very few occasions. The students may also visit the Maine State Museum and the State House.

Contest rules and a registration form are available at: www.maine.gov/sos/kids/student-programs/const_essay.htm. The deadline for receipt of entries has been extended to March 8, 2013. Entries can be e-mailed to sos.office@maine.gov, faxed to 287-8598 or sent by mail to 148 SHS, Augusta, ME, 04333-0148. For more information, visit our website at www.maine.gov/sos/kids/student-programs/const_essay.htm or call our office at 626-8400.

Quick Geography Surveys on Behalf of Maine Geographic Alliance (2/12/13)

On behalf of the Maine Geographic Alliance:

Geography Education Survey: Please help the Maine Geographic Alliance identify where geography is being taught in Maine schools. We would like to hear from you about how we can aid Maine teachers in their study of geography. Take a few minutes to complete this short survey. We appreciate your help! http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/TRJZP3N.

Online Course Survey: Thank you in advance from Maine Geography Alliance and Canadian-American Center! We are looking for direction in offering an online course on the Geography of Canada. Please take 5-10 minutes to share your views. Your opinion and feedback will be appreciated! www.surveymonkey.com/s/352RX5C.

PD Opportunities; MSM's Malaga Island; Grants for GYSD (2/5/13)

Teachers for Global Classrooms (TGC): TGC is a fully-funded professional development opportunity for U.S. teachers aimed at globalizing teaching and learning in classrooms and schools. The program includes an 8-week online course, two Global Education Symposia in Washington, DC, and a two- or three-week international field experience in a participating country. Participants are selected through a national, open competition. TGC is funded by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State. Visit: www.irex.org/tgc or contact tgc@irex.org for more information. Applications due March 4, 2013.

Southern Maine Writing Project Technology Conference: The Southern Maine Writing Project is pleased to announce its first technology conference for K-12 educators: "Educating in a Digital Landscape: Teaching the Digital Generation to Create, Compose & Collaborate" on Friday, March 1, 2013 at Catherine McAuley High School. For more information and to register, visit southernmainewritingproject.org or email Seth Mitchell at smitchell@usm.maine.edu.

Maine State Museum’s Malaga Island, Fragmented Lives: View the post in the DOE Newsroom regarding a recent program combining history, tech, and theater. The Maine State Museum plans to repeat the program for more classes in March and May. Information about these performances and webcasts are available on the museum’s website or by emailing Joanna Torow at joanna.torow@maine.gov.

On behalf of the Schoodic Education and Research Center (SERC) Institute:

Advanced Placement Summer Institute: The application form for the 2013 College Board AP Fellows Program for the AP Summer Institutes is now available online at: http://professionals.collegeboard.com/k-12/assessment/ap/equity. This is a competitive scholarship program; submissions due by February 15, 2013. Details and instructions are on the website. Please note: this scholarship program is not a SERC Institute scholarship so if you have questions, please email: APFellow@collegeboard.org.

SERC Institute Offers AP World History Workshop: The AP World History workshop will help both new and experienced AP teachers, including a review of recent changes to the AP World History Exam. It will address key challenges of the course, including coverage of the content, test taking strategies, lessons, activities, resources and curriculum planning. It will also examine the Document Based Essay and Free Response Essays in terms of strategies, the College Board scoring rubric, and the analysis of actual student papers. Participants will be asked to bring some of their best practices (lessons, resources, unit plans, books, films, and syllabi) for sharing and discussion with the group. The instructor will provide a thumb drive of hundreds of files, including assignments, tests, projects, and strategies. Graduate credits and CEUs are available. Instructor: Dr. Lenore Schneider, New Canaan High School, New Canaan, CT. The workshop will be held August 12-16 on the SERC campus in Acadia National Park. Contact Yvonne Davis at 207-288-1327 or yvonne@sercinstitute.org for information or visit: http://www.sercinstitute.org/education/teacher-education-ap-classes.

On behalf of the Maine Commission for Community Service:

Matching Grants available for Global Youth Service Day: The Maine Commission for Community Service is offering matching grants up to $500 to support youth-led community service projects or Semester of Service projects that take place or culminate on Global Youth Service Day (April 26-28, 2013). Global Youth Service Day (GYSD) celebrates and mobilizes the millions of young people aged 5 – 25 who improve their communities each day of the year through service. Established in 1988, GYSD is the largest service event in the world, and the only day of service dedicated to children and youth. It is celebrated each year in 100+ countries, with young people working together—and with schools, youth organizations, nonprofits, community and faith-based organizations, national service programs, government agencies, and adult mentors—to change their communities.

Applicant groups must include youths between the ages of 5 and 25 and residents of Maine. Youth groups, nonprofit organizations, state and local government agencies, churches, schools, school districts, and institutions of higher education qualify. The Commission is unable to make awards to individuals. All project proposals will be considered. We do encourage projects that address education, environmental stewardship, health, poverty/hunger, disaster preparedness, and safety issues.

To learn more and apply:

You will need to register your name and contact information at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/GYSD2013RFP to download the application instructions.

Please read the instructions in full before submitting your application.

Your application must be submitted electronically by filling out the online form. The link to this form can be found in the application instructions.

On behalf of the Maine Tree Foundation and Maine Project Learning Tree:

2013 Forests of Maine Teachers’ Tours: Join us on a 4-Day Tour of Maine’s Forests and Mills. Reserve your place on one of these tours: AMC's Gorman Chairback Lodge & Cabins July 9 - 12 or Twin Pine Camps on Millinocket Lake near Katahdin July 23 - 26. Tours combine math, science, language arts and social studies with current information about forest practices, up-to-date technology and promising research into new products. Each tour begins with a Project Learning Tree workshop that includes training in curriculum materials with links to all current standards including the Common Core standards and application to the new Science standards. See modern harvesting and manufacturing technology in the woods and in the mills. Discuss it with the foresters, loggers and operators. The Maine TREE Foundation provides comfortable accommodations and transportation, delicious food and everything you ever wanted to know about Maine’s forests. Registration Fee is: $85.00 per person if you register before April 26, 2013 and $95.00 per person if you register after April 26, 2013 (includes a $10.00 non-refundable administrative fee). Space is limited. For more information, visit www.mainetreefoundation.org or call 207-621-9872 or email: mtf@gwi.net.

On behalf of the Chicago Metro History Education Center:

NEH Summer Institute: The Chicago Metro History Education Center, University of Illinois at Chicago, and Loyola University Chicago would like to invite K-12 teachers to apply for the National Endowment for the Humanities Summer Institute “Rethinking the Gilded Age and Progressive Era: Capitalism, Democracy, and Progressivisms, 1877 to 1920.” NEH Summer Scholars will spend four weeks in Chicago (July 8-August 2, 2013), a center of Progressive Era reform, engaging in vigorous discussions about this critical time period in American history and creating materials to use in their classrooms. We are committed to building a diverse team of participants reflecting a range of disciplines, grade levels, and regions of the country. Visit www.gildedandprogressive.org or email cjohnson@chicagohistoryfair.org for more information. Applications due March 4, 2013.

NCSS Webinars; Financial Literacy Resources; RiceBowl Challenge (1/29/13)

National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) Upcoming Webinars: NCSS will be offering a webinar on February 26 entitled, “Engaging Social Studies Strategies for Achieving Excellence in the Common Core” and another, “Essential Tools for Online Technology Integration” on March 26. Webinars are free for NCSS members and $10.00 for non-members. Visit the NCSS site for more information and to register: http://members.socialstudies.org/Scripts/4Disapi.dll/4DCGI/events/ConferenceList.html?Action=Find_Events.

Financial Literacy Resources: Please see the post in the DOE Newsroom for information and a direct link to resources: http://mainedoenews.net/2013/01/23/financial-literacy-resources/.

Reminder: Free Online Workshop – Oh Freedom!: Teaching Civil Rights through Smithsonian Collections – February 6, 2013: Join any of the live sessions and return any time to view the archived conference. Explore Civil Rights and Smithsonian collections with curators, experts, and educators in live presentations, demonstrations, and moderated forums. The conference is presented by the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Visit http://africanamericanart.si.edu/conference to register.

On behalf of MLTI:

Reminder: 2013 RiceBowl Challenge: This is just a quick note to let you that the 2013 RiceBowl Challenge is underway! Already we have some schools that are playing - is yours? If not, why not? All Maine schools should be pre-registered, so all you need to do is visit http://thericebowl.org/sign-up/ for directions on how your students (or teachers can do this for kids if they are younger) can set up an account at FreeRice.com. At the bottom of that page, you'll find PDFs you can download that have step-by-step directions that you can share with kids to help them.

You will also find the list of Maine school team prefixes. These are 6 character unique prefixes that your students need to use when establishing their login accounts. This will allow us to associate their rice donations with your school so we can track your school's overall total. The prefix is simply your MEDMS school code preceded by ME....so it would look something like ME1234. That means kids' accounts should be something like ME1234john. They don't have to use their name at all in the account...just something they will remember. So, ME1234PatsFan would work too.

Every student needs an individual account because FreeRice is adaptive, so it needs to individually track your answers so it knows what question to ask next based on your last response.

Also, teachers – please sign up and register for Digital Learning Day at http://www.digitallearningday.org/registration/ It's quick and painless, but it will put you on a mailing list to receive curriculum ideas and links to resources about how you can use technology in the classroom. The State with the most teachers registered (as a percentage) will be called out on the national Town Hall Meeting on Digital Learning Day which will be streamed live over the internet. Go Maine Go!

New Certification Site; RiceBowl Challenge; Museum & State House Tours; Free Workshop; Application Reminders (1/22/13)

New Certification Website: The Maine Department of Education’s Certification Office recently launched a new website that provides information, resources, and instructions. The new website will enable you to find forms and answers to your questions with greater ease. Soon, you will also be able to use this site to link to a new online certification system for applications and renewals. The Certification Office welcomes your feedback and any recommendations for further improvement. To visit the site: http://maine.gov/doe/cert/.

On behalf of MLTI:

The MLTI RiceBowl Challenge: The Maine Learning Technology Initiative, Digital Learning Day, and Freerice are challenging students and sports fans, young and old, to team up for a different kind of bowl game this January and February, with the goal of beating global hunger.

The Rice Bowl Challenge sees two teams compete for the RiceBowl championship. The objective? To raise rice and beat global hunger while proving intellectual strength. For more information and to sign up, visit: http://ricebowl.maine121.org/.

The challenge began January 21, 2013, and ends on Digital Learning Day, February 6, 2013, with results tallied daily. Join a team! Are you rooting for the AFC Champions or the NFC Champions?

Leading the charge are students from Maine led by the Maine Department of Education’s 1:1 laptop program, the Maine Learning Technology Initiative (MLTI). MLTI has already begun its blitz to tackle hunger, organizing thousands of students to battle for the Bowl. Are you a student? A football fan? MLTI invites you to join a team.

On behalf of the Maine State Museum:

Maine State Museum Tours and Gallery Programs; State House Tours & Blaine House Tours: Let us help you plan a field trip to Augusta and the State House Complex! The Maine State Museum offers over 25 different educational programs and tours about Maine’s natural environment, prehistory, industry and agriculture, and social history. Take a look at our website www.mainestatemuseum.org/learn/ for easy online reservations and detailed descriptions of all our educator-led gallery programs and tours. Don’t forget we can also help you schedule Maine State House and Blaine House Tours. Museum admission and all of our tours and gallery programs are free for schools! Reservations recommended for all group visits. For reservations and more information: 207-287-2301 or www.mainestatemuseum.org/learn/.

On behalf of Americans Who Tell the Truth and Operation Breaking Stereotypes:

Free Workshop for High School Teachers: Americans Who Tell the Truth and Operation Breaking Stereotypes invite you to a free workshop, “Inspiring Citizenship and Student Performance”. The workshop will be held at Ellsworth High School, February 6, 3:30 – 7 pm. We are excited to offer you this opportunity to frame your course content in a meaningful real world context as you guide your students to become informed, courageous citizens. The space will be limited to the first 25 teachers and administrators who wish to attend. Please go to the following link now to reserve your space https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dFlzWFFqZ0xockxMSEh3Mk8xTUZhVkE6MQ#gid=0 or e-mail me (conniecarter21@gmail.com) to ask a question. Feel free to suggest this to other teachers in your building or district. We are encouraging people to come as a team – administrator, content area teachers, students – whatever you feel constitutes a “team” at your school! - Connie Carter, Director Operation Breaking Stereotypes.

Reminder: Transatlantic Outreach Program (TOP) Applications Available: TOP encourages cross-cultural dialogue and provides North American social studies educators with global understanding via curriculum, teacher training, and study tours that utilize Modern Germany as the basis for comparison and contrast. These all-expense-paid study tours are two weeks in length and take place during the summer. The 2013 application deadline is February 1, 2013. To read the study tour FAQ and download the application form, visit: http://www.goethe.de/ins/us/lp/prj/top/txl/enindex.htm.

Reminder: On behalf of the Maine Humanities Council and Maine Historical Society:

Local and Legendary: Maine in the Civil War: The state of Maine holds a special place in the history of the American Civil War. To recognize and celebrate the role of Mainers on the battlefield and the home front, Maine Historical Society (MHS) and Maine Humanities Council (MHC) are offering 10 Maine communities the opportunity to explore their local Civil War history through a new joint program, “Local & Legendary: Maine and the Civil War.” This project, which is meant to bring communities together around their stories, has received major support from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Each community involved in “Local & Legendary” will form a team consisting of a local historical institution, a library, and an education institution. The team will work collaboratively on a variety of activities including digitizing local historical collections, creating online exhibits on Maine Memory Network (www.mainememory.net), and hosting a series of “One Story, One Community” programs. Each participating community will receive a $2,000 grant and substantial training and resources to support their work. A one-day public symposium on April 27, 2013 at USM’s Hannaford Hall, featuring national and state-based speakers, formally kicks off the project.

The community application deadline is March 1, 2013. Visit http://mainehumanities.org/special-programs/civil-war/index.html or www.mainememory.net/cwgrants for program details and application materials, or contact Anne Schlitt at MHC (annes@mainehumanities.org) or Larissa Vigue Picard at MHS (lvpicard@mainehistory.org) for more information.

NEH Summer Opportunities; Free Online Course; TOP & LOC deadlines; iCivics; 6-12 Writing Contest (1/15/13)

National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Summer Seminars and Institutes: NEH offerings are tuition-free and NEH Summer Scholars receive awards to help cover travel, room and board, and expenses, based on the length of the program. The deadline for applications for all programs is March 4, 2013. For a complete list of summer programs, visit: http://www.neh.gov/divisions/education/summer-programs. Below are a few of the many offerings:

The USS Constitution and the War of 1812: July 22-26 or August 5-9, 2013; Application deadline: March 4, 2013. The USS Constitution Museum invites you to take part in a week long workshop exploring the USS Constitution and the War of 1812. The war will be presented in a wide range of venues; educators selected for the workshop will hear from guest lecturers, visit historic sites in Boston and have the chance to explore the War’s greatest artifact, USS Constitution. The USS Constitution Museum will serve as the headquarters and home base of the seminar, providing educators the chance to experience the museum’s award winning, hands-on, minds-on exhibits and the opportunity to create an interactive teaching activity that can be used to share their newly acquired knowledge with the thousands of American students that they interact with on a daily basis. Information on how to apply for the workshop as well as a detailed workshop itinerary can be found on the USS Constitution Museum website, www.ussconstitutionmuseum.org/learn-play/NEH-landmarks-workshop.

Living on the Edge of Empire: Alliance, Conflict and Captivity in Colonial New England: July 7-12 or July 28-August 2; Application deadline: March 4, 2013. Combining history, culture, and globalization, workshop attendees will look at the complexities of the early American colonial period and the many cultural groups who comprised it, including Native nations, enslaved Africans, and the French and English settlers. Scholars will go to Deerfield, MA to explore the rich colonial history of the region through interactions with landscape, objects, images, documents, and Living History. More information and registration can be found on their website: http://edge-empire.deerfield-ma.org/.

Roots of the Arab Spring: Understanding the Historical Context for the Arab Uprisings: July 15-August 2; Application deadline: March 4, 2013. Teachers will work closely with an interdisciplinary team of scholars and develop their own curriculum projects. NEH Summer Scholars will investigate the historical, social, economic, and cultural dimensions of the Arab Spring, the revolutionary wave of protests and uprisings sweeping through the Arab World, which began with Tunisia in December of 2010. Visit http://arabspring.ucdavis.edu/ for more information.

The Transcontinental Railroad: Transforming California and the Nation: June 23-28 or July 7-12; Application deadline: March 4, 2013. Academic historians, museum professionals, and educational leaders associated with The History Project at UC Davis will lead NEH Summer Scholars on an investigation of the transcontinental railroad from its conceptual origins, through feats of labor and engineering, and on to its social, political, and economic impact during and after the Gilded Age. For more information, visit: http://railroad.historyproject.ucdavis.edu/.

Free Online Course: The Emancipation Proclamation: What Came Before, How It Worked, and What Followed: The University of Illinois Springfield will explore the importance of the Emancipation Proclamation in a new massive open online course during the spring semester. The free eight-week online course is open to anyone who wants to join world-wide. The class will officially begin on January 28, 2013. Students may register online at https://uis.coursesites.com/. For more information, contact Ray Schroeder at: rschr1@uis.edu.

Reminder: Transatlantic Outreach Program (TOP) Applications Available: TOP encourages cross-cultural dialogue and provides North American social studies educators with global understanding via curriculum, teacher training, and study tours that utilize Modern Germany as the basis for comparison and contrast. These all-expense-paid study tours are two weeks in length and take place during the summer. The 2013 application deadline is February 1, 2013. To read the study tour FAQ and download the application form, visit: http://www.goethe.de/ins/us/lp/prj/top/txl/enindex.htm.

Reminder: Library of Congress Summer Teacher Institute Applications Available: Each year the Library of Congress provides the opportunity for K-12 educators to attend one of its Summer Teacher Institutes in Washington, D.C. During the five-day institutes, participants work with Library of Congress education specialists to learn best practices for using primary sources in the K-12 classroom, while exploring some of the millions of digitized primary sources available on the Library’s Web site: http://blogs.loc.gov/teachers/2012/12/library-of-congress-teaching-with-primary-sources-summer-teacher-institute-applications-now-available-2/. The deadline to submit an application is February 4, 2013.

On behalf of iCivics:

We the Jury – new game & Separation of Powers: What’s for lunch? "We the Jury" is a game where students role play as members of a jury in different cases. The "Drafting Board" is a new tool to teach persuasive writing. To access “We the Jury” and “The Drafting Board”, please go to: http://www.icivics.org/.

Nationally, there were 60,000 visitors to iCivics on election day. This school year, there have been 1.7 million visitors compared to 573,000 over the same period last year. Maine has recorded 78,000 visits to the iCivics web site for 2012.

Justice O'Connor would love to hear from teachers about their use of iCivics. She prefers written notes. You can send them to: Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, iCivics; 2001 South Street, NW Suite 400; Washington, DC 20009

On behalf of the Telling Room:

2012-13 Writing Contest for students, grades 6-12: The Telling Room's annual writing contest is underway and we're hoping to hear from you! This year's contest promises to be the best yet, with prizes including publication in Maine Magazine, on MPBN radio, and in our anthology up for grabs. One grand prize winner will walk away with $200 as well. This year's theme is "Objects of Wonder." All submissions must involve one or more material objects: keepsakes, mementos, relics, and items of value. Entrants must be from Maine in grades 6-12 during the 2012-13 school year, or, if home-schooled, between the ages of 11 and 18. For more details, visit: http://www.tellingroom.org/get-published/writing-contest.

MCS Essay Contest; Free Online PD; NHC Resources; New Geo Course; Free Museum Admission (1/8/13)

Essay Contest for High School Seniors: The Margaret Chase Smith Library invites Maine’s high school students to propose what they would do to improve the American educational system. Prizes include: $1000 for first place; $500 for second place; $250 for third place, and five $50 honorable mention prizes. Entries are due April 1, 2013. For more information, visit: http://www.mcslibrary.org/program/edu/essay.htm.

Free Online Workshop - Red Scarf Girl: Using Memoirs to Teach History Facing History and Ourselves is offering a free online workshop designed to help middle and high school teachers with historical background materials, primary source documents, and literacy strategies to help bring Red Scarf Girl to life. The memoir of Ji-li Jiang is about the author’s experience growing up during the Cultural Revolution in China. For more information and to RSVP, visit:
http://www2.facinghistory.org/Campus/Events.nsf/HTMLProfessionalDevelopment/EC296EEEA8C6CF3C85257A67004968A3?Opendocument. The event will run from January 11 - January 18, 2013.

Free Online Workshop - Oh Freedom!: Teaching Civil Rights through Smithsonian Collections is a free online event on February 6, 2013. Join any of the live sessions and return any time to view the archived conference. Explore Civil Rights and Smithsonian collections with curators, experts, and educators in live presentations, demonstrations, and moderated forums. The conference is presented by the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Visit http://africanamericanart.si.edu/conference to register.

National Humanities Center’s America in Class: The America in Class site is designed to promote the analytical skills called for in the Common Core State Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies and provides collections of primary and secondary sources; lesson plans; and online seminars. Upcoming topics for seminars include “The Struggle for Woman Suffrage” (January 31, 2013); “Economic Development of the West in the Late 19th Century” (February 21); and “The American Business Revolution: Corporate Consolidation in the 19th Century” (February 28). Visit http://americainclass.org/ to learn more.

On behalf of the Maine Geographic Alliance (MGA):

New Online course on Canada’s Geography: The MGA in partnership with the Canadian American Center at UMaine Orono is offering an online course beginning in January. It is not too late to register! The course may be taken for 1 graduate credit or CEUs.

Using the Geography for Life 2nd edition as a guideline for teaching geography thinking skills, and using the study of Canada’s geography as the content, this online course will enable participants to acquire a mental map of Canada, and to gain practice in asking and answering geographic questions.

Through an engaging exploration of video presentations, readings, maps and websites, participants will acquire information and ideas to write inspired activities building towards the final project of creating two lessons based on teaching the skills of a geographer. Participants will collaboratively create an annotated list of websites and will have access to all the lessons created.

Information about the course costs and syllabus is available at: http://umaine.edu/teachingcanada/professional-development/geographic-lens-on-the-world-the-geography-of-canada.

On behalf of MLTI:

Connecting the Humanities Jigsaw using Geographic Tools: Geography is the study of spatial patterns, processes and relationships, and can act as the background for all humanities study: all historical events have a location, literature can be studied through its setting and economics is bound to the land. Therefore, teaching students how to use digital geographic tools can give them the grounding needed for studying the humanities. This session will focus on the use of online geographic information systems and Google Earth, and will present strategies for research, writing and presentation in all areas of the humanities with these digital tools. This is a new session for this spring. Your attendance at the MLTI Fall Social Studies session is not a pre-requisite for this session. Please visit www.mlti.org/pd for links to online registration. Session dates and locations include:

January 28, 2013: Madawaska Middle/High School

January 31, 2013: Cumberland TBD

February 4, 2013: Kennebec TBD

February 13, 2013: York Middle School

February 25, 2013: Piscataquis Community High School

February 28, 2013: Houlton High School

March 4, 2013: Portland Arts & Technology HS

March 7, 2013: Spruce Mountain Middle School

March 13, 2013: Jonesport Beals High School

March 20, 2013: Midcoast TBD

On behalf of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston:

Free admission: Teachers in the state of Maine can bring school groups to the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston for FREE! Thanks to generous funding from the Lunder Foundation of Portland, students from grade school through college can experience great works of art from the Museum’s encyclopedic collection free of charge. The Lunder Maine Student Membership Program allows Maine students of all ages in public and private school, as well as those who are home schooled, to visit the Museum free of charge. For details and to request a Museum visit, click here: http://www.mfa.org/programs/school-programs.

Reminder: Gilder Lehrman Teacher Seminars: Full-time K-12 history and English language arts teachers are invited to apply for the Gilder Lehrman Institute's Teacher Seminars. Led by eminent historians and held at major educational and historical institutions, these one-week interdisciplinary seminars give educators the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of topics in American history and literature while they gain practical resources and strategies to bring these subjects to life in the classroom. This year, new coursework and focus will align seminar content with Common Core State Standards. For more information and a list of seminars, visit: http://www.gilderlehrman.org/programs-exhibitions/teacher-seminars Deadline for applications is February 15, 2013.

Update on Social Studies Standards (1/2/13)

Happy 2013!

The Latest Deal with Social Studies Standards: You may recall from previous posts that Maine, along with over 20 other states, is a member of the Social Studies Assessment Curriculum and Instruction (SSACI) Collaborative of the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO). SSACI had been working in collaboration with the National Council for Social Studies and 14 other content organizations representing civics, economics, geography, and history to develop a shared set of social studies standards, or so we thought.

An overview document entitled, College, Career, and Civic Life (C3): Framework for State Standards in Social Studies was released at the National Council for the Social Studies’ Annual Conference on November 17, 2012. This draft serves as an overview of the framework, not the framework itself. If you haven’t had a chance to read the short overview, you can find a copy here: http://www.maine.gov/education/lres/ss/documents/C3%20Vision%20Statement%20Nov%202012.pdf.

At this point, SSACI states have not seen a draft since CCSSO agreed to publish the document in late October. CCSSO has stated that what they will be releasing in the spring will not be standards, but a framework for writing standards. At this point, we’re still waiting for more information about what, exactly, will be published in the spring.

In the meantime, Maine along with several other states, will be exploring the possibility of collaborating on the development of a shared set of social studies standards. CCSSO’s decision to not move forward with the development of social studies standards does not reflect the desire of all SSACI state members.

I will continue to post updates as information becomes available.

Sandy Hook: Moment of Silence Friday, Dec. 21, 9:30 a.m. (12/20/12)

Moment of Silence for Sandy Hook Victims: Friday, December 21 at 9:30 a.m.: Governor Malloy of Connecticut has asked each state to consider joining the State of Connecticut for a moment of silence on Friday. Below is the press release from Governor LePage’s office:

Governor LePage Announces Moment of Silence on Friday, Dec. 21 in Memory of the Victims in Newtown, Conn.

AUGUSTA – Governor Paul R. LePage asks that the people of Maine observe a moment of silence on Friday, Dec. 21, at 9:30 a.m., in remembrance of the victims of the shooting at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.

“Governor Dannel Malloy of Connecticut has declared Friday an official day of mourning in his state and has asked all governors to share in that observance by calling for a moment of silence at 9:30 that morning. We share in the grief of the Newtown community at this tragic loss of innocent life,” expressed Governor LePage.

In a letter to Governor LePage, Governor Malloy wrote, “In the last few days, the outpouring of love and compassion from your state and from around the world has been overwhelming, and the people of Connecticut will be forever grateful. Too often we focus on what divides us as people, instead of what binds us together as human beings.”

Malloy has also asked places of worship and government buildings in Connecticut to ring bells twenty-six times in honor of each life lost during the moment of silence.

Applications Now Available for: Transatlantic Outreach Program, Library of Congress Summer Institute (12/18/12)

Transatlantic Outreach Program (TOP) Applications Available: TOP encourages cross-cultural dialogue and provides North American social studies educators with global understanding via curriculum, teacher training, and study tours that utilize Modern Germany as the basis for comparison and contrast. These all-expense-paid study tours are two weeks in length and take place during the summer. The 2013 application deadline is February 1, 2013. To read the study tour FAQ and download the application form, visit: http://www.goethe.de/ins/us/lp/prj/top/txl/enindex.htm.

Library of Congress Summer Teacher Institute Applications Available: Each year the Library of Congress provides the opportunity for K-12 educators to attend one of its Summer Teacher Institutes in Washington, D.C. During the five-day institutes, participants work with Library of Congress education specialists to learn best practices for using primary sources in the K-12 classroom, while exploring some of the millions of digitized primary sources available on the Library’s Web site: http://blogs.loc.gov/teachers/2012/12/library-of-congress-teaching-with-primary-sources-summer-teacher-institute-applications-now-available-2/. The deadline to submit an application is February 4, 2013.

Documentary Competition; Outstanding Teacher Award; NEFE Webinar; Camden Conference; Gov's Award for Service & Volunteerism (12/11/12)

C-SPAN’s StudentCam Documentary Competition: C-SPAN's StudentCam is an annual national video documentary competition that encourages students to think seriously about issues that affect our communities and our nation. Students are asked to create a short (5-8 minute) video documentary on a topic related to the theme "Message to the President": What's the most important issue the president should consider in 2013? Maximum award: $5,000, plus $1,000 in digital equipment for school. Eligibility: individuals or teams of two to three students grades 6-8 or grades 9-12. Deadline: January 18, 2013 http://www.studentcam.org/.

United States-Japan Foundation: Elgin Heinz Outstanding Teacher Award: The United States-Japan Foundation Elgin Heinz Outstanding Teacher Award recognizes exceptional teachers who further mutual understanding between Americans and Japanese. The award is presented annually to two pre-college teachers in two categories, humanities and Japanese language. Maximum award: $7,500 ($2,500 monetary award, $5,000 in project funds). Eligibility: current full-time K-12 classroom teachers of any relevant subject in the United States who have been teaching for at least five years. Deadline: February 1, 2013 http://www.us-jf.org/elginHeinz.html.

On behalf of Maine Jump$tart:

FREE webinar on NEFE's High School Financial Planning Program: During this webinar, participants will have a chance to preview NEFE's recently updated instructional materials that can be used to equip teens for financial independence. This turnkey program is available for you to use at no cost!
Tuesday, December 18, 2012 from 3:00 - 3:30, to register: https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/566440206.

On behalf of the Camden Conference:

Reminder: The Camden Conference invites teachers and students to attend our next Conference, which will take place February 22-24, 2013. The topic is, “The Middle East -- What Next?” Special teacher-student rates are available at the streaming sites located at the Strand Theater in Rockland, the Hutchinson Center in Belfast, and The Grand in Ellsworth. The Conference is presented live from the historic Camden Opera House. For more information, please contact us by phone at (207) 236-1034, or by email at info@camdenconfernce.org. To view the conference program: http://www.camdenconference.org/2013-conference/2013-conference-program/.

On behalf of the Maine Commission for Community Service:

Governor’s Awards for Service and Volunteerism - February 1, 2013 deadline for nominations: These awards celebrate and honor the exemplary work of Maine's very dedicated citizens. At the same time, the awards seek to inspire others to follow in the footsteps of those recognized. Founded during Governor McKernan's administration, the program has continued uninterrupted. It is managed on behalf of the Office of the Governor by the Maine Commission for Community Service. The awards are presented at the Capitol each year in April around National Volunteer Week.

Individual categories include -

Volunteer of the Year

Youth Volunteer of the Year

Outstanding Service-learning Practitioner

Outstanding National Service Volunteer Award

Outstanding Service-learning Practitioner

Outstanding Public Sector Volunteer

Excellence in Volunteer Administration

Organization categories include -

School District Excellence in Service-learning

Corporate Volunteerism Award

Small Business Volunteerism Award

Outstanding Non-Profit Volunteer Program Award

For more information on all of the award categories and how to nominate an individual or organization, go to http://volunteermaine.org/governors-service-awards/.

Japan Fellowship; Smithsonian Summer Institute; ING Grant Opportunity; NEW Community History Program (12/4/12)

Keizai Koho Center Teacher Fellowship: Since 1980, the Keizai Koho Center (Japan Institute for Social and Economic Affairs) in cooperation with the National Association of Japan America Societies (NAJAS) has sponsored a Fellowship tour to Japan for educators in the U.S. and Canada. The Fellowship allows teachers to learn firsthand about contemporary Japanese society and enhance their classroom teaching of global perspectives. Highlights of the fellowship include visits to Japanese schools, major companies, and industrial facilities. In addition, sightseeing excursions are planned to allow the fellows to learn about Japanese culture and society. The 2013 Fellowship Application is now available: http://www.us-japan.org/programs/kkc/k2013/index.html. Deadline is February 15, 2013.

Clarice Smith National Teacher Institutes at the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, DC: Summer Institutes will be held July 8–12, 2013, and July 29–August 2, 2013. Core subject teachers for grades 6–12 may apply as individuals or as part of a team. Priority will be given to social studies and English/language arts teachers. A limited number of $500 scholarships are awarded each year. Visit AmericanArt.si.edu/education/dev/cs to apply. Please direct queries to AmericanArtClariceSmithInitiative@si.edu or 202-633-8387. Application deadline is April 1, 2013.

ING Unsung Heroes Grant Opportunity: Awards are given to K-12 educators pioneering new teaching methods and techniques that improve learning based on innovative methods, creativity, and ability to positively influence students. Each year, 100 finalists are selected to receive a $2,000 award, payable to both the winning teacher and his or her school. At least one award is granted in each of the 50 states, provided at least one qualified application is received from each state. Maximum grant: $25,000. For more information: http://ing.us/about-ing/citizenship/childrens-education/ing-unsung-heroes. Deadline: April 30 of every year.

On behalf of the Maine Humanities Council and Maine Historical Society:

Local and Legendary: Maine in the Civil War: The state of Maine holds a special place in the history of the American Civil War. To recognize and celebrate the role of Mainers on the battlefield and the home front, Maine Historical Society (MHS) and Maine Humanities Council (MHC) are offering 10 Maine communities the opportunity to explore their local Civil War history through a new joint program, “Local & Legendary: Maine and the Civil War.” This project, which is meant to bring communities together around their stories, has received major support from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Each community involved in “Local & Legendary” will form a team consisting of a local historical institution, a library, and an education institution. The team will work collaboratively on a variety of activities including digitizing local historical collections, creating online exhibits on Maine Memory Network (www.mainememory.net), and hosting a series of “One Story, One Community” programs. Each participating community will receive a $2,000 grant and substantial training and resources to support their work. A one-day public symposium on April 27, 2013 at USM’s Hannaford Hall, featuring national and state-based speakers, formally kicks off the project.

The community application process for the first five communities opens on January 1, 2013, with a deadline of March 1, 2013. Five additional communities will be selected in 2014. Visit http://mainehumanities.org/special-programs/civil-war/index.html or www.mainememory.net/cwgrants for program details and application materials, or contact Anne Schlitt at MHC (annes@mainehumanities.org) or Larissa Vigue Picard at MHS (lvpicard@mainehistory.org) for more information.

Pearl Harbor; Summer PD Opportunities (11/27/12)

Pearl Harbor: The Nation’s Immediate Response: The Library of Congress has “Man-on-the-Street” recordings of interviews conducted following the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Visit this page for resources and teaching ideas: http://blogs.loc.gov/teachers/2011/11/pearl-harbor-the-nation%E2%80%99s-immediate-response/.

Fulbright-Hays Seminars Abroad Program: A 4-week summer seminar in China in 2013 - Applicants may include K-12 educators, administrators, and media resource specialists who have responsibility for curriculum and instruction in the social sciences, humanities, foreign languages and area studies. The application deadline is December 10, 2012. For more information: http://www2.ed.gov/programs/iegpssap/sapfacts.html .

Gilder Lehrman Teacher Seminars: Full-time K-12 history and English language arts teachers are invited to apply for the Gilder Lehrman Institute's Teacher Seminars. Led by eminent historians and held at major educational and historical institutions, these one-week interdisciplinary seminars give educators the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of topics in American history and literature while they gain practical resources and strategies to bring these subjects to life in the classroom. This year, new coursework and focus will align seminar content with Common Core State Standards. For more information and a list of seminars, visit: http://www.gilderlehrman.org/programs-exhibitions/teacher-seminars Deadline for applications is February 15, 2013.

On behalf of NEH, Summer Institute for Teachers:

Voices Across Time: Teaching American History Through Song: Songs are like time capsules, filled with messages from a moment in history. They're also fun to sing, making them an appealing and effective tool for the classroom. The Center for American Music at the University of Pittsburgh (www.pitt.edu/~amerimus), in partnership with the Society for American Music (www.american-music.org), is pleased to be offering a five-week summer institute for K-12 teachers. "Voices Across Time: Teaching American History Through Song" will be held from June 24 to July 26, 2013 at the University of Pittsburgh. This Institute, funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), will allow 25 secondary school teachers and three graduate students in education, to explore topics in American history through the lens of music.

Each week during the Institute we will focus on a broad topic in American history, utilizing popular songs as primary source documents. Lectures and discussions led by historians and musicologists will help participants strengthen their knowledge of particular historical topics and develop insights into the dynamic interaction of popular music and society. Carefully selected field trips (including the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland) along with historical live performances (by Alan Jabbour and David and Ginger Hildebrand) will offer uniquely engaging evocations of an historical context.

We encourage participation especially from middle- and high-school teachers of social studies or related disciplines, including history, geography, and language arts; other grade levels and disciplines will also be considered, and music teachers are welcome. Additional information, along with application materials, is available at http://www.library.pitt.edu/voicesacrosstime/index.html or email: amerimus@pitt.edu (please indicate NEH Institute in the subject line). More information about the NEH and its programs is available at www.neh.gov.

Standards Update; Teacher/Student Institute Opportunity; Free Financial Literacy Resources Webinar (11/20/12)

Update on Social Studies Standards: A vision statement for the College, Career, and Civic Life (C3): Framework for Inquiry in Social Studies State Standards was released at the National Council for the Social Studies conference on Saturday, November 17, 2012. Please note that this document is NOT a draft of the framework, but rather attempts to provide an overview of how the C3 Framework is being developed and designed. For more details and to view the document, visit: http://www.maine.gov/education/lres/ss/standards2.html.

A draft of the C3 Framework will be shared with targeted groups of educators and education leaders for feedback prior to the release by the Council for Chief State School Officers in 2013. More information and details will be posted as soon as they are available; stay tuned.

Normandy: Sacrifice for Freedom - The Albert H. Small Student/Teacher Institute 2013: In June 2013, fifteen student/teacher teams will engage in a rigorous study of D-Day and World War II. Students and teachers will be immersed in lectures presented by leading World War II historians, participate in a scholarly study of the war memorials in the D.C. area and visit Normandy, France. Most expenses are covered by the institute. The deadline for applications has been extended to December 1, 2012. For details: http://www.nhd.org/normandyinstitute.htm

On behalf of Maine Jump$tart:

FREE webinar on American Bankers Association Financial Literacy Resources: Tuesday, November 27th from 3:00 - 3:30. During this webinar, you'll learn how to access resources that will help your students learn how to save, budget, use credit wisely, grasp basic banking concepts and choose the financial institution that meets their needs. Get tools to teach why knowing the difference between, and making decisions based on, needs v. wants is a foundation for lifelong academic and financial success.

Finally, learn about the foundation-sponsored Lights, Camera, Save! -- a video contest for teens (ages 13-18). Students create a 60-90 second message focused on the importance of saving and using money wisely to educate their peers. Student filmmakers and their schools are eligible for national prize money.

This FREE webinar is sponsored by the Maine Jump$tart Coalition and is intended for educators, administrators, counselors, curriculum coordinators and more!

Presenter: M. Kathryn Kelly, Director, ABA Education Foundation. To register for this webinar, please email Mary Dyer: mdyer@famemaine.com.

Resources and Information from the 2012 MCSS Conference (11/13/12)

Justice Sandra Day O’Connor’s Address to Maine Teachers: Check out the recording of Justice Sandra Day O’Connor responding to questions posed by Maine social studies teachers: http://youtu.be/iUE9eYqCU0w.

Civics & the Common Core State Standards - Proven Practices in Civic Learning: To view the slides and other materials for this session at the 2012 Maine Council for the Social Studies Conference, visit: file:///P:/DOE/EDUCATION%20WEB/lres/ss/resources.html#mcss2012.

Education Evolving: Commissioner Bowen addressed the Maine Council for the Social Studies Conference attendees and provided an overview of “Education Evolving: Maine’s Plan for Putting Learners First.” This plan sets objectives and actions steps for building an education system that meets the needs of all learners and prepares students for college, careers, and civic life. To learn more: http://maine.gov/doe/plan/index.html

USSYP Finalists; Veterans Day; 7th Grade Teachers; PD Reminders (11/6/12)

Happy Election Day!

United States Senate Youth Program Finalists: Two Maine high school student leaders will be selected to participate in the 51st annual USSYP sponsored by the U.S. Senate and funded and administered by the Hearst Foundation. The program provides an all-expenses paid week long trip to Washington, D.C. where students will experience government in action. In the past, students have met with Senators, cabinet members, directors of federal agencies, and a current Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. The 2012 delegates met with President Obama in the East Room of the White House. In addition to this unique educational experience, delegates receive a $5,000 scholarship. The two Maine delegates for 2013 will be announced in December. For a short article regarding the ten finalists from around the state, visit: http://mainedoenews.net/2012/11/01/finalists-us-senate-program/

How is your school marking Veterans Day? Please consider sharing your school’s Veterans Day observation plans in the comment section of the Maine DOE Newsroom: http://mainedoenews.net/2012/10/24/marking-veterans-day/ A few resources for your consideration are included in the short article.

Opportunity for 7th Grade Teachers: Four teachers, one each from the Cumberland, York, Washington, and Hancock regions, are invited to apply for the open slots on Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens’ teacher advisory cohort. The innovative project is designed to use technology to connect seventh grade classes from around the state to meet curricular goals in science and social studies. The project uses Teddy Roosevelt’s time in Maine as a lens through which science and social studies classes investigate the natural and social history of our state. To complete the application form, visit: http://goo.gl/vVVJB For more information contact Amity Beane: ABeane@mainegardens.org.

Reminder: MLTI Fall PD: Social Studies One Day Workshops around the State Where’s the Evidence? Digital Tools, Source Material and the Social Studies Classroom. As emerging social scientists, students must have the skills to locate, interpret and use primary and secondary sources in their work. The wealth of source material online, and the digital tools to utilize these resources, present humanities teachers with enormous opportunities to develop these skills in their classes. This workshop will provide educators with strategies for using source material with students: how to find the resources, incorporate source material in student writing, and having students present their interpretations to the world. Please go to the MLTI Events page for further details, venues, dates, etc.: http://www.maine.gov/tools/whatsnew/index.php?topic=MLTIPD&id=436652&v=Calendar.

Reminder: On behalf of KIDS Consortium:

Service-Learning Planning and Implementing Workshop: November 29-30, 2012; 8:30 am to 3:30 pm Location: REAL School, Mackworth Island, Falmouth, Maine
Service-learning is a hands-on, learner-centered teaching strategy that challenges young people to work with community partners, applying academic knowledge and skills to solve real problems and needs. Through service-learning, students develop and demonstrate proficiency of content standards, including essential 21st century skills - critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and team work.

This 2-day training will help participants develop a basic understanding of KIDS Consortium’s award winning service-learning model. Through interactive games and visuals, participants will learn the difference between community based learning, community service, and service-learning, and why service-learning is an effective teaching strategy. You will be prepared to implement a high quality service-learning project using tools and strategies from our KIDS As Planners Guidebook and have time to plan "how to" integrate service-learning in to your teaching environment and receive feedback on your ideas. Registration is required. Fee is $300 and includes the KIDS As Planners Guidebook, contact hours certificate, light breakfast and lunch each day. Please visit our Website to register. We accept, check, PO’s, and credit card payments: http://www.kidsconsortium.org/getting_started.php.

Graduate Course: KIDS as Planners - Service-Learning Institute for Educators: KIDS Consortium is offering a year-long (October 2012-June 2013) Graduate Course for three credits in collaboration with Endicott College and the Mount Desert Island Regional School System. The course includes five face-to-face class sessions throughout the year and additional virtual monthly assignments. The class sessions will be held on Mount Desert Island.

Based on the award winning KIDS model of service-learning, participants will discover the steps in creating a quality service-learning experience in partnership with students and community organizations. This course will be an interactive, collaborative learning experience. Course participants will a service-learning plan to implement with students in the spring of 2013. These plans will be integrated with curriculum requirements and assessment models, including strategies to build a collaborative environment in the classroom and help students reflect on and celebrate their work. To learn more, please visit: http://www.kidsconsortium.org/course_institute.php.

Reminder: On behalf of the Maine Humanities Council and the Mid-Coast Forum on Foreign Relations:

Free Professional Development Opportunity: Looking for topical ways to fulfill the Common Core literacy requirements and bring civics to life in the classroom? Maine Humanities Council, in partnership with the Mid-Coast Forum on Foreign Relations, is proud to present a FREE professional development opportunity for middle and high school teachers beginning in January 2013. Oil, Religion, and War will immerse educators in U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East and provide an opportunity to interact with some of the world's foremost journalists and foreign policy experts. Led by Political Science Professor Scott Erb from the University of Maine at Farmington, participants will listen to a selection of podcasts by foreign policy experts who have given talks at the Mid-Coast Forum on Foreign Relations, read related supporting materials, and synthesize their thoughts in white papers and online discussions. The final project—a unit plan or assessment—will allow participants to focus on the Common Core literacy requirements and build on the critical thinking, reading, listening, inquiry, and writing skills modeled in the program. For more information and to register, visit http://mainehumanities.org/special-programs/oil-religion-war/.

Social Studies Standards Update (11/2/12)

Update on Social Studies Standards: The public release of a draft document entitled, College, Career, and Civic Life (C3): Framework for State Standards in Social Studies is still scheduled to be released at the National Council for the Social Studies’ Annual Conference on November 17, 2012 in Seattle, Washington. The document, however, will be an overview of the framework, not the framework itself. I will post the overview document for your review when it is released by SSACI later this month. SSACI will provide a window for official feedback on the framework in spring, 2013. More information and details will be posted to this ListServ and the Social Studies Standards page (http://www.maine.gov/education/lres/ss/standards2.html) of the MDOE site, as soon as they are available.

You may recall from previous posts that Maine, along with over 20 other states, is a member of the Social Studies Assessment Curriculum and Instruction (SSACI) Collaborative of the Council of Chief State School Officers. SSACI is in collaboration with the National Council for Social Studies and 14 other content organizations representing civics, economics, geography, and history to develop a shared set of social studies standards. SSACI is identifying ways in which these new standards in social studies will support the Common Core State Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies and will be designing resources that will support teachers in meeting both sets of standards.

Veterans Day; Arlington; Hall of Fame; LOC; FREE PD; Project Citizen; Service-Learning PD Opportunities (10/30/12)

How is your school marking Veterans Day? Please consider sharing your school’s Veterans Day observation plans in the comment section of the Maine DOE Newsroom: http://mainedoenews.net/2012/10/24/marking-veterans-day/ A few resources for your consideration are included in the short article.

Arlington National Cemetery: Find a Gravesite is a new app that enables users to locate gravesites and generate front and back photos of a headstone or monument. To learn more: http://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/Default.aspx.

Teachers Hall of Fame: The National Teachers Hall of Fame is seeking nominations for educators with at least 20 years of teaching experience. To view the recent post in the Maine DOE Newsroom: http://mainedoenews.net/2012/10/24/teachers-hall-of-fame/.

Common Core State Standards Resources from the Library of Congress: The Library’s updated Search by Standards tool provides a way to search for materials aligned to Common Core and/or state standards. Or, once you’ve found a lesson plan or primary source set that you’d like to use, one click will show you which standards the particular item will meet: ttp://www.loc.gov/teachers/.

On behalf of the Maine Humanities Council and the Mid-Coast Forum on Foreign Relations:

Looking for topical ways to fulfill the Common Core literacy requirements and bring civics to life in the classroom? Maine Humanities Council, in partnership with the Mid-Coast Forum on Foreign Relations, is proud to present a FREE professional development opportunity for middle and high school teachers beginning in January 2013. Oil, Religion, and War will immerse educators in U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East and provide an opportunity to interact with some of the world's foremost journalists and foreign policy experts. Led by Political Science Professor Scott Erb from the University of Maine at Farmington, participants will listen to a selection of podcasts by foreign policy experts who have given talks at the Mid-Coast Forum on Foreign Relations, read related supporting materials, and synthesize their thoughts in white papers and online discussions. The final project—a unit plan or assessment—will allow participants to focus on the Common Core literacy requirements and build on the critical thinking, reading, listening, inquiry, and writing skills modeled in the program. For more information and to register, visit http://mainehumanities.org/special-programs/oil-religion-war/.

On behalf of KIDS Consortium: Service-Learning and Civic Engagement Professional Development Opportunities in Maine

Project Citizen: Project Citizen is a national program that develops students’ academic knowledge and skills while they impact community needs, consistent with the Maine Learning Results and the Common Core. Through Project Citizen, youth are engaged in a cooperative learning process through which they identify and seek to solve a problem in their community using public policy. Participants:

Identify and research the problem

Evaluate alternative solutions

Develop their own solution in the form of a public policy

Create an action plan to enlist local or state authorities to adopt their proposed policy

Participants also create a portfolio of their work and present their project in a public hearing showcase before a panel of civic-minded community members and policy-makers. Participants develop:

Public presentation and literacy skills

An understanding of what public policy is and how to create it

The motivation and insight of how to solve a community problem

The 2013 Showcase will be held on May 17, 2013 at the Maine State House – save the date! Through a generous grant from the Emanuel and Pauline A. Lerner Foundation, KIDS Consortium can provide training and support to teachers and students in your school! Read more about Project Citizen and contact KIDS Consortium to get started: http://www.kidsconsortium.org/siproject_citizen.php.

Service-Learning Planning and Implementing Workshop: November 29-30, 2012; 8:30 am to 3:30 pm Location: REAL School, Mackworth Island, Falmouth, Maine

Service-learning is a hands-on, learner-centered teaching strategy that challenges young people to work with community partners, applying academic knowledge and skills to solve real problems and needs. Through service-learning, students develop and demonstrate proficiency of content standards, including essential 21st century skills - critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and team work.

This 2-day training will help participants develop a basic understanding of KIDS Consortium’s award winning service-learning model. Through interactive games and visuals, participants will learn the difference between community based learning, community service, and service-learning, and why service-learning is an effective teaching strategy. You will be prepared to implement a high quality service-learning project using tools and strategies from our KIDS As Planners Guidebook and have time to plan "how to" integrate service-learning in to your teaching environment and receive feedback on your ideas.

Registration is required. Fee is $300 and includes the KIDS As Planners Guidebook, contact hours certificate, light breakfast and lunch each day. Please visit our Website to register. We accept, check, PO’s, and credit card payments: http://www.kidsconsortium.org/getting_started.php.

Graduate Course: KIDS as Planners - Service-Learning Institute for Educators: KIDS Consortium is offering a year-long (October 2012-June 2013) Graduate Course for three credits in collaboration with Endicott College and the Mount Desert Island Regional School System. The course includes five face-to-face class sessions throughout the year and additional virtual monthly assignments. The class sessions will be held on Mount Desert Island.

Based on the award winning KIDS model of service-learning, participants will discover the steps in creating a quality service-learning experience in partnership with students and community organizations. This course will be an interactive, collaborative learning experience. Course participants will a service-learning plan to implement with students in the spring of 2013. These plans will be integrated with curriculum requirements and assessment models, including strategies to build a collaborative environment in the classroom and help students reflect on and celebrate their work. To learn more, please visit: http://www.kidsconsortium.org/course_institute.php.

KIDS Consortium is also interested in customizing courses to meet the needs of your school district. Please contact us to discuss opportunities for the Summer of 2013 and the 2013-14 school year!!

Social Studies Standards Update; Upcoming PD Reminders (10/23/12)

Update on Social Studies Standards: The public release of a draft document entitled, College, Career, and Civic Life (C3): Framework for State Standards in Social Studies will be released at the National Council for the Social Studies’ Annual Conference on November 17, 2012 in Seattle, Washington.

Maine teachers will have an opportunity to review and provide feedback during a month-long window that will follow the debut. No specific details on the feedback process have been shared with us at this time. Specific information and details will be posted to this ListServ and the Social Studies Standards page (http://www.maine.gov/education/lres/ss/standards2.html) of the MDOE site, as soon as they are available.

You may recall from previous posts that Maine, along with over 20 other states, is a member of the Social Studies Assessment Curriculum and Instruction (SSACI) Collaborative of the Council of Chief State School Officers. SSACI is in collaboration with the National Council for Social Studies and 14 other content organizations representing civics, economics, geography, and history to develop a shared set of social studies standards. SSACI is identifying ways in which these new standards in social studies will support the Common Core State Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies and will be designing resources that will support teachers in meeting both sets of standards.

Reminder: 2012 Maine Council for the Social Studies Conference - Strengthening the Common Corps: Teaching for Citizenship in the 21st Century will be held on November 9 at the Augusta Civic Center. An online registration form and breakout session descriptions may be found at: http://www.memun.org/mcss/ . The registration fee is $75. Space is limited to 200 participants, so register early!

Reminder: MLTI Fall PD: Social Studies One Day Workshops around the State - Where’s the Evidence? Digital Tools, Source Material and the Social Studies Classroom. As emerging social scientists, students must have the skills to locate, interpret and use primary and secondary sources in their work. The wealth of source material online, and the digital tools to utilize these resources, present humanities teachers with enormous opportunities to develop these skills in their classes. This workshop will provide educators with strategies for using source material with students: how to find the resources, incorporate source material in student writing, and having students present their interpretations to the world. Please go to the MLTI Events page for further details, venues, dates, etc.: http://www.maine.gov/tools/whatsnew/index.php?topic=MLTIPD&id=436652&v=Calendar

New Congress Site; Graduate Fellowship; Financial Literacy Offerings; Upcoming PD (10/16/12)

New Congress.gov site: The Library of Congress, in collaboration with the U.S. Senate, House of Representatives and the Government Printing Office recently launched a beta site. Some of the site features include: short clips explaining the legislative process; bill status, text, and summary; links to the House and Senate; and congressional members’ legislative history and profiles. http://beta.congress.gov/

Graduate Fellowship Opportunity: The James Madison Memorial Fellowship, a federal initiative, offers secondary school teachers of government and history up to $24,000 to complete a master’s degree in fields related to the U.S. Constitution. Maine applicants compete only against other applicants from Maine. Generally, one fellowship per state is awarded each year: www.jamesmadison.gov.

On behalf of the Maine Jump$tart Coalition:
LifeSmarts...The Ultimate Consumer Challenge is a FREE national program that is coming to Maine for the 2012-2013 academic year. Don't miss it out on this opportunity! LifeSmarts is a great way for your high school students to sharpen their knowledge of personal finance and other life skills. Sponsored by Maine Jump$tart, Maine's winning team will receive an all-expense paid trip to compete in the national finals in Atlanta, Georgia on April 20-23, 2013! Online competition between Maine high school teams will take place through the fall and early winter and culminates with Maine state finals on the UNUM corporate campus in Portland, Maine on March 1, 2013. Interested high schools form a team of students and a volunteer coach who promotes and supports team learning in the areas of personal finance, consumer rights and responsibilities, technology, health and safety, and the environment. The Federal Reserve Cup Challenge has been eliminated for 2012-2013. LifeSmarts would be a great way to continue competition-based learning at your high school! For more information on LifeSmarts, visit www.lifesmarts.org If you have any questions, please contact Debbie Bechard, Maine LifeSmarts Coordinator: dbechard@jmg.org.

Junior Achievement of Maine…Fostering Financial Literacy in Maine Schools Webinar, Oct. 23 3:00-4:00: Discover how Junior Achievement's sequential K-12 age-appropriate, hands-on programs inspire and open students minds to their potential and provide them with life-learning skills to better prepare them for the world of work and succeed in a global economy. This free webinar is sponsored by the Maine Jump$tart Coalition and is intended for educators, administrators, counselors, curriculum coordinators and more! Presenters: Mike Stone, President, Junior Achievement of Maine and Jill Jamison, Area Board Operations Director, Junior Achievement of Maine. Space is limited. Reserve your webinar seat at: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/370248306.

Reminder: MLTI Fall PD: Social Studies One Day Workshops around the State Where’s the Evidence? Digital Tools, Source Material and the Social Studies Classroom. As emerging social scientists, students must have the skills to locate, interpret and use primary and secondary sources in their work. The wealth of source material online, and the digital tools to utilize these resources, present humanities teachers with enormous opportunities to develop these skills in their classes. This workshop will provide educators with strategies for using source material with students: how to find the resources, incorporate source material in student writing, and having students present their interpretations to the world. Please go to the MLTI Events page for further details, venues, dates, etc.: http://www.maine.gov/tools/whatsnew/index.php?topic=MLTIPD&id=436652&v=Calendar.

Reminder: 2012 Maine Council for the Social Studies Conference Strengthening the Common Corps: Teaching for Citizenship in the 21st Century will be held on November 9 at the Augusta Civic Center. An online registration form and breakout session descriptions may be found at: http://www.memun.org/mcss/ . The registration fee is $75. Space is limited to 200 participants, so register early!

Election Resources; Upcoming PD (10/9/12)

PBS Election 2012 Resources: The PBS LearningMedia site offers a collection of resources, sortable by grade level, subject, and type: http://www.pbslearningmedia.org/content/#q=election&go

iCivics: Founded by Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, iCivics provides students with several interactive games on a variety of topics. For the upcoming election, students can run a presidential campaign and collect electoral votes in “Win the White House”. Free resources for teachers are also available: http://www.icivics.org/

USA.Gov’s Learn About Elections and Voting: For a page of hyperlinks to election and general citizenship related resources, visit: http://www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/Voting/Learn.shtml

Political Party Quiz: Pew Research Center has a 12 question survey, “Where Do You Fit?” http://www.people-press.org/political-party-quiz/

Political Cartoon Index: Daryl Cagle’s site offers hundreds of cartoons, updated daily, and organized by issue and cartoonist: http://www.cagle.com/politicalcartoons/

Presidential Debates: MiddleWeb provides information and resources to help engage students in upcoming debates: http://www.middleweb.com/2880/watching-debates-with-kids/ The remaining debates are scheduled for: October 11: Vice Presidential Debate, Centre College, Danville, KY; October 16: Second Presidential Debate, Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY; and October 22: Third Presidential Debate, Lynn University, Boca Raton, FL.

The Living Room Candidate - Presidential Ads: The Museum of the Moving Image houses historic campaign ads, lessons plans, and an “Ad Maker” tool for students: http://www.livingroomcandidate.org

Annenberg Political Fact Check: The non-partisan Annenberg Public Policy Center monitors the factual accuracy of candidates’ assertions in ads, debates, speeches, interviews and news releases: http://factcheck.org/about/

US Presidential Election Results Atlas: This interactive site shows election results by year and state (including county by county results) and includes graphs on voter turnout: http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/

Electoral College Map: C-SPAN’s Campaign 2012 site includes U.S. maps depicting electoral votes from the 1904 – 2008 elections. Also included are snapshots of each election year, complete with images of each of the major candidates, the number of electoral and popular votes received, and “Did You Know?” tidbits: http://campaign2012.c-span.org/electoral-college-map

Other election-related resources published in recent ListServ posts:

Library of Congress – Path to the Presidency: The Library of Congress blog includes suggestions for ways to use primary sources to help students learn about the election process and past elections: http://blogs.loc.gov/teachers/2012/08/the-path-to-the-presidency-political-speeches-2/.

Project Vote Smart: A Montana-based nonpartisan group has launched a website that provides users with tools to compare their own views on issues to presidential and Maine congressional candidates. “Vote Easy” uses information submitted by the candidates in response to questionnaires, and through research using candidates' voting records, backgrounds, issue positions, campaign contributions, interest group ratings and public statements. If you’re interested, you can find the site here: http://votesmart.org/.

C-Span American Presidents Resources: The site includes lesson plans, activities, and video clips based on C-Span’s television series, American Presidents, Life Portraits: http://www.americanpresidents.org/classroom/.

National Council for the Social Studies 2012 Election Resources: NCSS has compiled a list of resources that include articles from their publications, as well as links to free websites. Some items are accessible only to NCSS members, others are open to all: http://www.socialstudies.org/resources/Election2012.

Waterville Opera House: “We the People”, a musical presented by TheatreWorks USA will be performed on November 7, beginning at 9:30. The show is suitable for grades 4-8. Topics will include the creation of American government, the First Amendment, the two houses of Congress, checks and balances, and the electoral process. Ticket rates vary: $1 for 7th and 8th grade students and $3 for others. For more details, visit: http://operahouse.com.mytempweb.com/ARTSEDUCATION/SchoolShows.aspx. The Maine Arts Commission’s Ticket to Ride program can help to defray transportation costs. For more information, visit: http://mainearts.maine.gov/program_artsineducation_ticket.aspx.

Reminder: MLTI Fall PD: Social Studies One Day Workshops around the State Where’s the Evidence? Digital Tools, Source Material and the Social Studies Classroom. As emerging social scientists, students must have the skills to locate, interpret and use primary and secondary sources in their work. The wealth of source material online, and the digital tools to utilize these resources, present humanities teachers with enormous opportunities to develop these skills in their classes. This workshop will provide educators with strategies for using source material with students: how to find the resources, incorporate source material in student writing, and having students present their interpretations to the world. Please go to the MLTI Events page for further details, venues, dates, etc.: http://www.maine.gov/tools/whatsnew/index.php?topic=MLTIPD&id=436652&v=Calenda

Reminder: 2012 Maine Council for the Social Studies Conference Strengthening the Common Corps: Teaching for Citizenship in the 21st Century will be held on November 9 at the Augusta Civic Center. An online registration form and breakout session descriptions may be found at: www.memun.org/mcss. The registration fee is $75. Space is limited to 200 participants, so register early!

Mock Election; Interactive Analysis Tool; Virtual Supreme Court; Citizenship Education Teachers' Award; Upcoming PD (10/2/12)

Maine Student Mock Election: There is no cost to participate; complete the school registration form by Friday, October 5. The mock election will be held on October 30. The registration form and more details can be found on the Secretary of State’s website: http://www.maine.gov/sos/kids/mockelection/participate.html.

New! Interactive Primary Source Analysis Tool: The Library of Congress recently launched an online tool that allows students to record their analysis of primary sources. The tool includes built-in questions and prompts to help guide students through their analysis. To check it out, visit: http://blogs.loc.gov/teachers/2012/07/interactive-primary-source-analysis-tool-new-from-the-library-of-congress/

New! Inaugural Virtual Supreme Court Competition and Supreme Court Fantasy League: During the October 2012 Supreme Court term, The Harlan Institute and The Constitutional Sources Project (ConSource) will host their inaugural Virtual Supreme Court Competition. By participating in this competition, high school students will gain experience in researching contemporary constitutional issues, crafting persuasive appellate briefs on their classroom blogs, and presenting convincing oral arguments to legal experts via a virtual courtroom. The focus of the competition will be an issue pending before the Supreme Court this term in Fisher v. University of Texas. Specifically, students will answer the fundamental constitutional question, “Is the Fourteenth Amendment Color-Blind?”. Constitutional law experts at the Harlan Institute and ConSource will review completed briefs, which must be submitted by January 31, 2013, and select the top four briefs for each side. For more information on the issue, interested educators and students can visit: http://harlaninstitute.org/contests/virtual-supreme-court/the-ot-2012-virtual-supreme-court-problem-is-the-fourteenth-amendment-color-blind/.

Additional information about the competition and prizes is available at: http://harlaninstitute.org/contests/virtual-supreme-court/.

For information about FantasySCOTUS, the Harlan Institute’s Supreme Court Fantasy League, visit: http://harlaninstitute.org/fantasyscotus/.

VFW: National Citizenship Education Teachers' Award The VFW's National Citizenship Education Teachers' Award recognizes the nation's top elementary, junior high and high school teachers who teach citizenship education topics regularly and promote America's history and traditions. Maximum award: $1,000. Eligibility: teachers K-12. Deadline: November 1, 2012. http://www.vfw.org/Community/Teacher-of-the-Year/

Reminder: Cross Discipline Literacy Network Registration for the Cross Discipline Literacy Network (CDLN) is open through October 5, 2012. This is a terrific opportunity to take part in high quality professional learning focused on literacy across the disciplines that includes both face-to-face meetings and use of webinars. The cost of participating in the network is only $25 per person for the year and is open to all K-12 educators. Information describing the CDLN, the face to face locations, and the webinar strands, as well as the link to register for this opportunity can be found at: http://www.maine.gov/doe/literacy-for-me/cdln.html. If you participated in the Literacy Leaders Network or the Maine Content Literacy Network’s webinar series in previous years, the CDLN is integrating the best of both of these networks.

MLTI Fall PD: Social Studies One Day Workshops around the State

Where’s the Evidence? Digital Tools, Source Material and the Social Studies Classroom As emerging social scientists, students must have the skills to locate, interpret and use primary and secondary sources in their work. The wealth of source material online, and the digital tools to utilize these resources, present humanities teachers with enormous opportunities to develop these skills in their classes. This workshop will provide educators with strategies for using source material with students: how to find the resources, incorporate source material in student writing, and having students present their interpretations to the world. Please go to the MLTI Events page for further details, venues, dates, etc.:
http://www.maine.gov/tools/whatsnew/index.php?topic=MLTIPD&id=436652&v=Calenda

On behalf of the Maine Council of Social Studies:

2012 Maine Council for the Social Studies Conference

“Strengthening the Common Corps: Teaching for Citizenship in the 21st Century”

The 2012 Maine Council for the Social Studies Conference will be held on Friday, November 9th at the Augusta Civic Center with Civic Education as this year’s theme.

Highlights include:

Retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor will present a videotaped address responding to questions submitted by Maine teachers.

James Melcher, political science professor at University of Maine, Farmington will deliver the keynote address on civility and principled partisanship.

Maine DOE Social Studies Specialist, Kristie Littlefield, will explain LD1211: An Act to include Civics in the Social Studies and History Courses required for a High School Diploma and share information on the public release and review of the College, Career, and Civic Life (C3): The State Standards for Social Studies.

Education Commissioner Steve Bowen will speak about the state of education in Maine.

Eighteen great breakout sessions!

An online registration form and breakout session descriptions are located at: www.memun.org/mcss. The registration fee is $75. This promises to be an interesting and relevant conference. Space is limited to 200 participants, so please register early!

On behalf of Americans Who Tell the Truth, Operation Breaking Stereotypes, and Waterfall Arts:

Americans Who Tell the Truth, Operation Breaking Stereotypes and Waterfall Arts invite you to a free workshop, “Inspiring Citizenship and Student Performance”. The workshop will be held at Waterfall Arts, Thursday, October 18, 3:30 – 7 pm. We are excited to offer you this opportunity to frame your course content in a meaningful real world context as you guide your students to become informed, courageous citizens.

A selection of Rob Shetterly’s Americans Who Tell the Truth (AWTT) portraits are on exhibit at Waterfall Arts through October 31. Apart from being inspiring and stimulating paintings, they have, over the past decade, proven to be accessible and effective classroom tools, especially in the visual and performing arts, social studies, history, and English/language arts disciplines.

Come be part of a presentation and conversation about how AWTT materials have and can be employed in classrooms to increase student interest and performance. In Louisville, Kentucky, where the portraits have been a part of public school curricula for four years, students have demonstrated improved attendance, retention and performance. This workshop will acquaint you with AWTT, its educational resources, connections to content and standards, and ways to use this material in your school and classroom.

Presenters include AWTT founder, Rob Shetterly, AWTT portrait subject Florence Reed and Karen MacDonald of the King Middle School in Portland, Maine. See a full program here. At Waterville Arts, space will be limited to the first 40 teachers and administrators who wish to attend. Fill out this form to reserve your space or email Connie Carter: conniecarter21@gmail.com. Feel free to suggest this to other teachers in your building or district. We are encouraging people to come as a team – administrator, content area teachers, students – whatever you feel constitutes a “team” at your school!

CDLN Registration; Franco-American Resource Guide; Assessment; Seminars; Service-Learning Workshops (9/25/12)

Reminder: Cross Discipline Literacy Network

Registration for the Cross Discipline Literacy Network (CDLN) is open through October 5, 2012. This is a terrific opportunity to take part in high quality professional learning focused on literacy across the disciplines that includes both face-to-face meetings and use of webinars. The cost of participating in the network is only $25 per person for the year and is open to all K-12 educators. Information describing the CDLN, the face to face locations, and the webinar strands, as well as the link to register for this opportunity can be found at: http://www.maine.gov/doe/literacy-for-me/cdln.html

New! Franco-American Studies Resource Guide: The Maine Department of Education, in cooperation with Franco-American specialists from the University of Maine System, has created a resource guide to help K-12 teachers and students locate available Franco-American resources about Maine and New England.

The new, sortable guide organizes resources by discipline, grade level, source type, time period and location. To recommend additional resources, please contact Susan Pinette, director of Franco-American Studies at the University of Maine. This guide was created under the direction of Chapter 17, LD 77, passed by the 125th Maine State Legislature.

Franco-American communities exist in nearly every county in the state. Teachers interested in engaging local communities may contact the Franco American Centre at the University of Maine for an updated list of people who would be interested in exploring possible collaborations. Contact Yvon Labbé at labbe@maine.edu to find contacts in your area.

To view the guide and links to other online repositories with numerous resources, visit: http://www.maine.gov/education/lres/ss/franco-american/index.html.

Beyond the Bubble: The Stanford History Education Group has developed assessments that incorporate resources from the Library of Congress and are designed to “capture students’ knowledge in action – rather than their recall of discrete facts.” For more information and to view the assessments and accompanying rubrics, visit: https://beyondthebubble.stanford.edu/

National Humanities Center’s Online Seminars: America in Class online seminars from the National Humanities Center seek to improve teacher content knowledge, promote discussion-based instruction, and provide fresh material for use with students. Upcoming topics include “Slavery in the Atlantic World” (October 4, 2012);

“Teaching the Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin” (October 10); and “Consumer Politics in the American Revolution” (October 16). The cost is $35.00 per seminar. E-mail Caryn Kopik, assistant director of education programs, for special pricing, at ckoplik@nationalhumanitiescenter.org. Learn more at http://americainclass.org/seminars/

Educational Seminars: Exchanges for Teachers and Administrators: The Educational Seminars program is funded by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and is implemented by American Councils for International Education. Program funding covers all costs, and international travel takes place in the summer. U.S. teachers and administrators are invited to apply for short-term exchanges in Argentina, Brazil, Greece, India, Italy, Thailand, and Uruguay. While in the host country, the educators will exchange best practices, network with educational leaders, and/or develop joint classroom projects and school partnerships. For more information, visit: www.americancouncils.org/es or contact Educational Seminars at edseminars@americancouncils.org.

On behalf of the Maine Commission for Community Service:

Service-Learning Workshops at the 2012 Blaine House Conference on Service and Volunteerism: Financial assistance is STILL available, including 10 full scholarships, and additional assistance is available for participants traveling more than 50 miles to the conference venue. Scholarship application deadline has been extended to Oct 1. Early bird (by Sep 30) registration is $64; after Sep 30, registration is $85.

Date: October 9, 2012

Venue: University of Maine, Orono

Keynote: Wendy Spencer, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service

Teachers, school administrators, and school-community liaisons working in school districts that have an interest in service-learning and want to learn more are strongly encouraged to attend this conference!

Local and national experts in the field of academic service-learning will be presenting engaging workshops at this year’s conference on topics that include–

Institutionalizing service-learning in districts

Building and sustaining service-learning partnerships with community organizations

The generationOn schools model for incorporating service-learning into your curriculum

The academic benefits of service-learning

Connecting the Common Core State Standards and service-learning

Extended learning opportunities that use service-learning models.

For information and registration, go to https://www.regonline.com/2012bhcsv

MCSS Fall Conference; Upcoming MLTI PD Opportunities; Workshop with David Sobel - Mapmaking with Children (9/21/12)

On behalf of the Maine Council of Social Studies:

2012 Maine Council for the Social Studies Conference

“Strengthening the Common Corps: Teaching for Citizenship in the 21st Century”

The 2012 Maine Council for the Social Studies Conference will be held on Friday, November 9th at the Augusta Civic Center with Civic Education as this year’s theme.

Highlights include:

Retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor will present a videotaped address responding to questions submitted by Maine teachers.

James Melcher, political science professor at University of Maine, Farmington will deliver the keynote address on civility and principled partisanship.

Maine DOE Social Studies Specialist, Kristie Littlefield, will explain LD1211: An Act to include Civics in the Social Studies and History Courses required for a High School Diploma and share information on the public release and review of the College, Career, and Civic Life (C3): The State Standards for Social Studies.

Education Commissioner Steve Bowen will speak about the state of education in Maine.

Eighteen great breakout sessions!

An online registration form and breakout session descriptions are located at: www.memun.org/mcss. The registration fee is $75. This promises to be an interesting and relevant conference. Space is limited to 200 participants, so please register early!

On behalf of MLTI:

Upcoming Workshops for Social Studies Teachers

Join MLTI Integration Mentors for a series of workshops that will provide skills and strategies for your content area classroom. Working with the Dept. of Education Content Area specialists, we have designed these hands on sessions to explore and expand the teaching and learning taking place in your curriculum. Register now for a workshop session in your local area, bring your MLTI laptop and learn some great new approaches to use in your classroom.

Please visit http://maine.gov/mlti/events/ for a list of all events and to find links to online registration.

Some locations are being finalized and will be added as scheduled. If you have a space available for use, please contact Juanita Dickson<mailto:juanita.dickson@maine.gov>.
We are trying to break up Aroostook County & Washington County into a southern & northern region to make drives shorter. We hope you find this helpful!

Where’s the Evidence? Digital Tools, Source Material and the Social Studies Classroom

As emerging social scientists, students must have the skills to locate, interpret and use primary and secondary sources in their work. The wealth of source material online, and the digital tools to utilize these resources, present humanities teachers with enormous opportunities to develop these skills in their classes. This workshop will provide educators with strategies for using source material with students: how to find the resources, incorporate source material in student writing, and having students present their interpretations to the world.

October 15, 2012: Washington Region (Southern)

October 17, 2012: Aroostook Region (Southern)

October 22, 2012: Midcoast Region

October 24, 2012: Reeds Brook MS

October 29, 2012 : Knowlton School (MSAD 60)

October 31, 2012: Gorham Schools

November 6, 2012: Kennebec Region

November 7, 2012: Spruce Mountain MS

November 13, 2012: Presque Isle

November 26, 2012: Cumberland Region

December 3, 2012: Woodland Jr Sr HS

Digital Citizenship in a Changing World

Students are living in a world of 24/7 access to technology that enables learning and communication in a way that was not possible even a few years ago. This workshop will help you to learn about the digital landscape our students are now living in, and how educators can help students think critically and make responsible choices to improve achievement. We will be exploring some of the free K-12 resources available through Common Sense Media and how to implement them in your classrooms and schools.

October 16, 2012: Penquis Valley HS

October 24, 2012: Midcoast Region

November 1, 2012: Cumberland Region

November 8, 2012: Western Region

November 26, 2012: Presque Isle

December 6, 2012: Woodland Jr Sr HS

On behalf of the Osher Map Library at the University of Southern Maine:

Conference for the International Visual Literacy Association (IVLA)

IVLA Conference - Special Single Day Rate for Educators - Saturday, October 13, 2012

The sessions and workshops are focused primarily on K-12 education that day. IVLA is offering a special discounted registration rate of $75 for teachers on Saturday. For more information go to www.ivla.org. A flyer for the program is available at http://maplibrary5.ly.usm.maine.edu/dropbox/IVLA_EducatorRate.pdf

David Sobel, the keynote speaker, has authored numerous books including Mapmaking with Children: Sense of Place Education for the Elementary Years. He will give both a presentation and workshop with examples of curriculum projects that both enhance children's sense of place and that develop children's literacy, numeracy and graphicacy skills. David Sobel is Senior Faculty in the Education Department at Antioch University New England.

The International Visual Literacy Association Conference will be held in Portland, Maine on Oct. 10 through 13, 2012.

IVLA (www.ivla.org) is an interdisciplinary organization whose members represent a wide range of disciplines in the arts, education, communication, graphic design, media studies, instructional design, educational technology, and computer applications. The last time IVLA met in New England was in Boston in 1973 so this is an exceptional opportunity for interested educators to take advantage of this event so close to home.

The Osher Map Library and Smith Center for Cartographic Education at the University of Southern Maine (www.usm.maine.edu/maps) is the local host for the International Visual Literacy Association. The IVLA conference will be held at the Clarion Hotel in Portland and the Glickman Family Library on the Portland campus of USM.

Location:

All sessions on Saturday, October 13, will be held in the Glickman Family Library on the Portland campus of USM.

In addition to conference sessions and workshops, the Osher Map Library is offering tours of its facility, globe collection and Digital Imaging Center and its current exhibition, Iconic America: The United States Map as a National Symbol.

David Sobel Workshop:

In addition to his keynote address, David Sobel will offer a practical and participatory workshop titled, Mapmaking with Children. It includes research on children's neighborhood maps with examples of social studies and geography curriculum incorporating a mapmaking/treasure hunt activity that involves local exploration and a literary challenge.

Presentation:

In conjunction with the map library's display of political buttons and related presidential campaign memorabilia incorporating the U.S. map motif, Robert Edsall will give a presentation on Maps in the Wild: Studies in the Iconography of Map Images in American Society. Rob Edsall is an Associate Professor at Carthage College, where he holds a joint appointment in the Department of Geography and Earth Sciences and Department of Communications and Digital Media. His article on "Iconic Maps in American Political Discourse" is the definitive review of election maps used in the 2004, 2006, and 2008 presidential campaigns.

For more information, please go the IVLA conference site at www.ivla.org.

United States Senate Youth Program; Election Resources; LifeSmarts Webinar (9/18/12)

United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) - Please pass this information along to juniors and seniors serving in leadership positions: Two Maine high school student leaders will be selected to participate in the 51st annual USSYP sponsored by the U.S. Senate and funded and administered by the Hearst Foundation. The program provides an all-expenses paid week long trip to Washington, D.C. where students will experience government in action. In the past, students have met with Senators, cabinet members, directors of federal agencies, and a current Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. The 2012 delegates met with President Obama in the East Room of the White House. In addition to this unique educational experience, delegates receive a $5,000 scholarship. Informational packets and copies of the qualifying test were mailed to principals at the end of August. For more information, including eligibility requirements, please visit: http://www.maine.gov/education/lres/ss/ussyp.html.

Maine Student/Parent Mock Election: There is no cost to participate; complete the school registration form by September 26. The mock election will be held on October 30. The registration form and more details can be found on the Secretary of State’s website: http://www.maine.gov/sos/kids/mockelection/participate.html.

Bios and Views of 2012 Presidential Candidates: ProCon.org, an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit has developed a site that includes a summary chart of presidential candidates and their views on many issues. The 2012 Election page can be viewed here: http://2012election.procon.org/.

Library of Congress – Path to the Presidency: The Library of Congress blog includes suggestions for ways to use primary sources to help students learn about the election process and past elections: http://blogs.loc.gov/teachers/2012/08/the-path-to-the-presidency-political-speeches-2/.

Project Vote Smart: A Montana-based nonpartisan group has launched a website that provides users with tools to compare their own views on issues to presidential and Maine congressional candidates. “Vote Easy” uses information submitted by the candidates in response to questionnaires, and through research using candidates' voting records, backgrounds, issue positions, campaign contributions, interest group ratings and public statements. If you’re interested, you can find the site here: http://votesmart.org/.

C-Span American Presidents Resources: The site includes lesson plans, activities, and video clips based on C-Span’s television series, American Presidents, Life Portraits: http://www.americanpresidents.org/classroom/.

National Council for the Social Studies 2012 Election Resources: NCSS has compiled a list of resources that include articles from their publications, as well as links to free websites. Some items are accessible only to NCSS members, others are open to all: http://www.socialstudies.org/resources/Election2012.

Waterville Opera House: “We the People”, a musical presented by TheatreWorks USA will be performed on November 7, beginning at 9:30. The show is suitable for grades 4-8. Topics will include the creation of American government, the First Amendment, the two houses of Congress, checks and balances, and the electoral process. Ticket rates vary: $1 for 7th and 8th grade students and $3 for others. For more details, visit: http://operahouse.com.mytempweb.com/ARTSEDUCATION/SchoolShows.aspx. The Maine Arts Commission’s Ticket to Ride program can help to defray transportation costs. For more information, visit: http://mainearts.maine.gov/program_artsineducation_ticket.aspx.

On behalf of Maine JumpStart:

LifeSmarts 101 Webinar- Maine Jump$tart is pleased to announce that we are offering an introduction to LifeSmarts Webinar! Thursday, September 20, 2012, from 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. LifeSmarts...The Ultimate Consumer Challenge is a national program that is coming to Maine for the 2012-2013 academic year. LifeSmarts is a great way for your high school students to sharpen their knowledge of personal finance and other life skills. Interested high schools form a team of students and a volunteer coach who promotes and supports team learning in the areas of personal finance, consumer rights and responsibilities, technology, health and safety, and the environment.
Online competition between Maine high school teams will take place through the fall and early winter and culminates with Maine state finals on the UNUM corporate campus in Portland, Maine on March 1, 2013. Maine's winning team will receive an all-expense paid trip to compete in the national finals in Atlanta, Georgia on April 20-23, 2013!  Register now!

https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/411546486

Once you are registered, you will receive additional instructions, including the call-in information for the audio portion of the webinar. If you have any questions, please contact Debbie Bechard, Maine LifeSmarts Coordinator.

Common Core; Maine-Based Resources; Art Challenge; JumpStart Update; Project Citizen (9/11/12)

Common Core Resources: Visit the Social Studies Standards page of the Maine DOE website for information and resources regarding the implementation of the Common Core State Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies. The page includes copies of the standards, a webinar regarding the implications for 6-12 social studies, and a list of resources for your consideration. New resources will be added as they become available:   http://www.maine.gov/education/lres/ss/standards2.html#ssccss

Teaching Channel: Teaching Channel provides short videos of innovative and effective teaching practices. They are organized by subject, grade, and topic (including Common Core). For social studies, the videos and resources fun the gamut from Antiques Road Show: Show and Tell in a Kindergarten Classroom to a Farming in the Gilded Age simulation appropriate for a secondary classroom. Visit https://www.teachingchannel.org/ to explore the available resources; new items are added regularly.

The Maine International Resource Directory: The World Affairs Council of Maine has an online directory that provides information on internationally-involved educational, governmental and non-profit organizations which are either Maine-based or have Maine representatives. To view the directory, visit: http://www.wacmaine.org/mird.

Maine Archaeological Society’s Educator Resources: The Educator Resources section of the Maine Archaeological Society’s website includes lesson plans, information on Maine sites, and more:   http://mainearchsociety.org/?page_id=28%20%20%20-%20resources.

Living in Maine - Student Art Challenge: First Lady Ann LePage announces the Maine is ME Student Art Challenge, in partnership with the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy. The First Lady invites students in grades K-8 to submit an original work of art depicting what living in Maine means to you.

Selected artwork will be featured in the First Lady’s upcoming new family friendly Love.Read.Learn!™ Baby Journal. The journal is to promote literacy and health to families of newborn babies in Maine and will be provided at no cost to parents of newborns in 2012-2013.

Prompt: Create a 2-dimensional original artwork that represents what living in Maine means to you. The artwork may be inspired by a wide range of images from favorite places, outdoor activities, foods and state symbols to families having fun together.

Students should consider the use of the Elements of Art and Principles of Design.

Student artwork should be two-dimensional, measure 9” X 12” and may be created using any medium including pencil, crayon, graphic, pastel, watercolor, oils, etc.

Entries must be postmarked by October 30, 2012 and the artists are expected to be notified during the week of November 12, 2012. Please send entries to the Blaine House – Maine is ME Art Challenge, c/o Paula Benoit, 192 State Street, Augusta, ME 04330.

All selected artists must be a Maine student (grades K-8), during the 2012-2013 school year, and be a legal resident of Maine at the time of his/her application. Students must return the student-parents forms with their artwork. Art Challenge guidelines and parent consent forms are available online at: http://www.maine.gov/education/lres/vpa/news.html.

On behalf of the Maine Jump$tart Coalition:

Financial Literacy Resources and Events – We would like to let you know about some exciting initiatives that we are working on for the coming year:

We are pleased to announce The Maine Jump$tart Coalition Financial Educator of the Year Award. This award was created to recognize a Maine educator who has distinguished themselves through their efforts to improve the financial capability of the students and families that they serve. To kick off the inaugural year of this award, we are pleased to announce that the 2012 award recipient will receive up to $1,000 in travel reimbursement to attend the 2012 National Jump$tart Educator's Conference on November 2-4 in Chicago! The nomin ation form must be submitted by September 21, 2012.

Mark your calendars, spread the word and save the date for the 2013 Fostering Financial Literacy Conference on Thursday, May 2, 2013 at the Augusta Civic Center. Stayed tuned for more info!

New knowledge-based competition for Maine high school students! LifeSmarts...The Ultimate Consumer Challenge is a national program and a great way for your high school students to sharpen their knowledge of personal finance and other life skills. Here are the details:

Online competition between Maine school teams takes place through the fall and early winter and culminates with Maine state finals on the UNUM corporate campus in Portland, Maine on March 1, 2013.

The winning team will receive an all-expense paid trip to compete in the national finals in Atlanta, Georgia on April 20-23, 2013!

We have heard through the grapevine that the Federal Reserve of Boston is discontinuing the Federal Reserve Cup - LifeSmarts is a great alternative!

For more information about LifeSmarts, contact info@mejumpstart.org and tune in to a special webinar on September 20, 2012 at 3:00 pm.

Maine Jump$tart Webinars for 2012-13: The LifeSmarts webinar listed above is the first in a new series of webinars on selected financial education programs or resources. Future webinar dates and topics are being finalized.

Stay tuned for more information on the Teach Children to Save Day (April 23, 2013). This campaign is designed to help young people develop lifelong savings habits.

Money Smart Week (MSW) is coming to Maine! MSW runs from April 20-27 and provides a week's worth of activities, events and educational programs on a myriad of financial education topics and is organized through community and school libraries with support from the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston and American Library Association. Stayed tuned for more info!

Please don't hesitate to email us if you have questions about any of these initiatives and let us know what program, curriculum or activity you are using to promote financial education in your class or school. We'd love to hear from you! Want to get more involved with Maine Jump$tart on our Educators' Advisory Committee? Shoot us an email info@mejumpstart.org and we'll be in touch.

On behalf of KIDS Consortium:

Project Citizen – Project Citizen is a national program that develops students’ academic knowledge and skills while they impact community needs, consistent with the Maine Learning Results and the Common Core. Through Project Citizen, youth are engaged in a cooperative learning process through which they identify and seek to solve a problem in their community using public policy. Participants:

Identify and research the problem

Evaluate alternative solutions

Develop their own solution in the form of a public policy

Create an action plan to enlist local or state authorities to adopt their proposed policy

Participants also create a portfolio of their work and present their project in a public hearing showcase before a panel of civic-minded community members and policy-makers. Participants develop:

Public presentation and literacy skills

An understanding of what public policy is and how to create it

The motivation and insight of how to solve a community problem

Through a generous grant from the Emanuel and Pauline A. Lerner Foundation, KIDS Consortium can provide training and support to teachers and students in your school! Read more about Project Citizen and contact KIDS Consortium to get started: http://www.kidsconsortium.org/siproject_citizen.php.

Last Call for O'Connor Questions; Mock Election; National History Day; Free Resources; Service Learning Workshops (9/4/12)

Last Call for Questions for Justice Sandra Day O’Connor: What question(s) do you have for Justice O’Connor? Submit your question(s) online today: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/JusticeOConnor.

Although she is unable to be a keynote speaker at the Maine Council for the Social Studies (MCSS) conference, Strengthening the Common Corps: Teaching for Citizenship in the 21st Century, she has offered to record her responses to questions from the Maine social studies community. Her recorded remarks and responses will be shared at the MCSS conference on November 9, 2012, at the Augusta Civic Center. (For more information about the MCSS conference, visit: http://www.memun.org/mcss/).

Maine Student/Parent Mock Election: There is no cost to participate; complete the school registration form by September 26. The mock election will be held on October 30. The registration form and more details can be found on the Secretary of State’s website: http://www.maine.gov/sos/kids/mockelection/participate.html

National History Day: National History Day (NHD) is an annual event for teachers and students in grades 6-12 interested in developing critical thinking skills and an understanding of the past through original research. NHD promotes a project-based approach and provides a hands-on experience for students to discover and explore history. Using primary sources, students complete projects (research papers, exhibits, documentaries, web sites or performances) and present them at the Maine statewide competition, April 3, 2013, at the University of Maine at Augusta. This year’s theme is Turning Points in History: People, Ideas, Events. For more information visit the Maine National History Day page: http://www.maine.gov/sos/arc/historyday/ and the national site: http://www.nhd.org/

Free Interactive Historical Thinking Poster: With versions for both elementary and secondary classrooms, Teachinghistory.org has developed digital versions of the original posters created last school year. For more information: http://teachinghistory.org/historical-thinking

NCSS SmartBrief E-mail Newsletter: The National Council for the Social Studies is offering a three-times-a-week e-mail newsletter designed specifically for professionals in the social studies and education community. This service is free, even for those who are not members of NCSS. To read a sample issue and/or to sign up to receive the NCSS SmartBrief, visit: www.smartbrief.com/ncss/index.jsp.

On behalf of the Maine Commission for Community Service:
Service-Learning Workshops at the 2012 Blaine House Conference on Service and Volunteerism: Teachers, school administrators, and school-community liaisons working in school districts that have an interest in service-learning or who have experimented with service-learning and want to learn more are strongly encouraged to attend this conference! Local and national experts in the field of academic service-learning will be presenting engaging workshops at this year’s conference on topics that include institutionalizing service-learning in districts, building and sustaining service-learning partnerships, the generationOn schools model, academic benefits of service-learning, connecting the Common Core State Standards and service-learning, and extended learning opportunities that use service-learning models. The October 9, 2012 conference will be at the University of Maine, Orono. Wendy Spencer, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service, will be the keynote speaker. Early bird (by Sep 30) registration is $64; after Sep 30, registration is $85. Financial assistance is available, including 10 full scholarships and additional assistance is available for participants traveling more than 50 miles to the conference.

September Observances; "I Will"; NEH Constitution Day Programming (8/31/12)

September Observances: Please see below for information regarding observances and recognition days for September. Associated resources for your consideration are available on the Department’s Social Studies webpage: http://www.maine.gov/education/lres/ss/

Maine Week of Heroes: Sunday, Sept. 9 through Saturday, Sept. 15

Title 1 §146 Maine Week of Heroes reads, “Each political subdivision and school administrative unit is encouraged to observe a Maine Week of Heroes during the week, commencing on a Sunday and ending on the next following Saturday, within which September 11th occurs. The observance may include public proclamations, appropriate ceremonies and the introduction of curricula in school systems recognizing the efforts of heroic people in Maine communities, such as active duty military personnel, emergency medical technicians, firefighters, law enforcement officers, members of the National Guard, members of the United States Coast Guard, United States military veterans and all other heroes who have given their courageous service without regard for their own lives or personal safety to benefit the people of this great land and to serve the needs of the citizens of the State.”

Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance: Tuesday, Sept. 11

Patriot Day was designated by joint resolution of the U.S. Congress (PL 107-89) on December 18, 2001, to honor those who perished in the events of September 11, 2001. By Public Law (111-13), adopted April 21, 2009, Congress has requested September 11 also be recognized as a National Day of Service and Remembrance.

Constitution Day: Monday, Sept. 17

The U.S. Congress established Constitution Day in 2004 to recognize the signing of the U.S. Constitution on September 17, 1787. Under the law, all educational institutions receiving federal funding must observe Constitution Day with an “educational program on the United States Constitution.”

Prisoner of War – Missing in Action Recognition Day: Friday, Sept. 21

Title 1 §136 designates the third Friday in September as Prisoner of War – Missing in Action Recognition Day. The day encourages “remembrance of the courage and plight of American prisoners of war and those missing in action.”

On behalf of the Maine Commission for Community Service:

Observe The 9/11 Day Of Service & Remembrance By Making A Pledge Of Service To Honor The Victims And First Responders – Organized nationally by My Good Deed, a foundation started by family members of 9/11 victims and first responders, "I Will" calls on each citizen to pay tribute by performing a "good deed," meaning a personal act of service or an act of "neighboring."

School districts, schools, classrooms, service clubs and individual students can all be involved. Making pledges offers schools a unique opportunity to observe this important memorial and to learn more about the 9/11 attacks and their aftermath. It also gives students a chance to develop civic knowledge and an ethic of service through the provision of service in their community. It is a chance to build relationships within the school and with the surrounding community.

Pledges to serve are made online through http://volunteermaine.org/promo-1/ . The Maine Commission for Community Service has registered Maine's "I Will" tribute as a single, statewide project with the national movement. Each citizen wishing to participate decides what personal act of service will be the tribute to 9/11 victims and first responders and then registers the pledge of service at VolunteerMaine.org by September 11.

All Maine pledges of service recorded at VolunteerMaine.org will be bundled and reported to the national organizers by September 15. Last year, through the efforts of the national "I Will" campaign, 33 million people observed 9/11 by engaging in charitable activities that ranged from simple good deeds to organized volunteer work.

In addition to promoting individual pledges, schools classrooms and clubs can also organize a "pledge drive" among their members. Posters and pledge cards with instructions on how to participate are available from the Commission. Group leaders can obtain these at no cost by emailing service.commission@maine.gov or calling 207.624.7792 during business hours.

On behalf of the National Endowment for the Humanities:

Special Constitution Day Programming – This year, the National Endowment for the Humanities has put together a special program for Constitution Day focusing on the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation and its relationship to the U.S. Constitution. The main component of the program is a live streamed panel discussion between four prominent emancipation-era historians led by University of Richmond President Ed Ayers. Teachers across the country can show this discussion to their classes through a live feed that will play on emancipation.neh.gov/live at 1:30pm ET/10:30am PT on September 17th. Students can email in or tweet questions to the presenters during this live feed. We are asking that schools watching the live stream sign up on our website and populate an interactive map. The content of the panel is geared to high school and middle school students, but will also be accessible for older elementary school students as well. The panel discussion video will also be archived by the Smithsonian and History Channel for schools unable to tune in on the 17th.

NEW! Cross Discipline Literacy Network for Social Studies Teachers (8/27/12)

NEW! Cross Discipline Literacy Network - Please see information below regarding this opportunity for social studies teachers (and others!). Registration deadline is October 5.

Looking for low cost, high quality professional learning connected to Maine’s learning standards and your daily instructional practice?

Eager to engage in collaborative study with colleagues across the state to fine tune your teaching?

Interested in a combination of face-to-face conversation and technology-based learning experiences?

If you answered yes to these questions, the Cross Discipline Literacy Network is for you. This professional learning network will foster literacy practices that support learning across content areas. The goal of the literacy network is to provide K-12 educators access to professional learning communities focused on content literacy strategies that:

Build capacity for educators to engage in collaborative, reflective study around literacy practices that benefit content area teaching and learning;

Promote ongoing literacy learning and sharing among professionals across content areas from across Maine; and

Increase student achievement of learning standards through improved literacy instruction across content areas.

The network will operate regionally across the state, utilizing both online webinar sessions interspersed between face-to-face networking sessions. The webinar portion of the network will require participants to select literacy strands on which to focus their study throughout the year. The literacy strands will support the Common Core State Standards for ELA and Literacy Across the Disciplines, and will include both content area focused strands (e.g. science, social studies, math, etc.) and general literacy strands (e.g. text complexity, writing instruction, and word study). Webinars will be developed and delivered by MDOE content specialists and Maine educators with discipline specific expertise at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. Participants will be expected to connect webinar content to their practice and to share evidence of this application during face to face meetings. Additionally, some webinars may require text reading of web-based articles or professional texts (to be purchased separately by participants). Webinar presentations will be held afterschool and archived so that participants can watch them again and/or obtain the content at a later time if they miss the live presentation. Dates of webinar sessions will be sent to participants by October 1, 2012.

Participants will also select a local site at which they will attend face-to-face sessions three times throughout the 2012-13 school year. These sessions will provide participants with the opportunity to engage in extended conversations related to a variety of literacy practices and topics connected to the literacy strands on which they are focusing their study. Opportunities for text discussions, sharing instructional strategies and student work, and networking with other educators will be abundant during these sessions which will run from 4:00-5:30 p.m. Conversations and sharing at local sites will be facilitated by trained educators, and sites will be organized to support educators from the K-5, 6-12, or K-12 grade spans.

Finally, participants in the Cross Discipline Literacy Network will also have the opportunity to connect with local site colleagues and literacy strand colleagues via an online networking platform, www.MaineLearning.net, that will be introduced during the first face-to-face session.

To register, visit http://www.maine.gov/doe/literacy-for-me/cdln.html where you can view the 2012-13 Cross Discipline Literacy Network master schedule, literacy strand options, and local site options. Once you know which site and which webinar strand(s) you want to select, click the registration button to complete the online registration. Registration cost is $25 for the year (includes face-to-face sessions and up to 2 webinar strands). The registration deadline is October 5, 2012. For additional information, please contact: Lee Anne Larsen (leeann.larsen@maine.gov) or 624-6628.

Social Studies Standards; Justice O'Connor Q&A; Free E-Trip; MMN Grants (8/22/12)

Update on the development of social studies standards: Maine, along with over 20 other states, is a member of the Social Studies Assessment Curriculum and Instruction (SSACI) Collaborative of the Council of Chief State School Officers. SSACI is currently in collaboration with the National Council for Social Studies and 14 other content organizations representing civics, economics, geography, and history to develop a shared set of social studies standards. SSACI is identifying ways in which these new standards in social studies will support the Common Core State Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies and will be designing resources that will support teachers in meeting both sets of standards. A public review of the draft standards is tentatively scheduled for November, 2012. Updates and information on the development and timeline for the shared set of social studies standards, as they become available, will be posted to this ListServ and the Social Studies Standards page on the Maine DOE site: http://www.maine.gov/education/lres/ss/standards2.html.

Reminder: Still time to share your questions for Justice O’Connor…please do so by September 5. Exciting and unique opportunity! Former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor is interested in fielding questions from the Maine social studies community! She has most graciously agreed to participate in a Q&A session whereby she will answer questions posed by you. Although she is unable to be a keynote speaker at the Maine Council for the Social Studies (MCSS) conference, “Strengthening the Common Corps: Teaching for Citizenship in the 21st Century” she has offered to record her responses to your questions. Her recorded remarks and responses will be shared at the MCSS conference on November 9, 2012, at the Augusta Civic Center. (For more information about the MCSS conference, visit: http://www.memun.org/mcss/).

As you are likely aware, Justice O’Connor has been working on strengthening and improving civic learning across the nation. She initiated the development of iCivics, an interactive website that is designed to engage students in the exploration of civics and provides free educational materials. Most recently she has championed HR 3464, referred to as the “Sandra Day O’Connor Civic Learning Act” which calls for, in part, a competitive grant program for civic learning at the US Department of Education. (Note that HR 3464 is currently sitting in the House’s Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education.)

What question(s) do you have for Justice O’Connor? Please take a few minutes and share any and all questions that you have. Submit your question(s) online by September 5, 2012:   https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/JusticeOConnor.

Free: Colonial Williamsburg’s Electronic Field Trip   The Electronic Field Trip “The Will of the People” examines the presidential election of 1800, one of the most bitter in U.S. history. Thomas Jefferson explains how negative campaigning and partisan politics have been a part of our political system since the earliest days of the republic. The program will be offered September 1-30; to register, visit: http://giftnation.history.org.

On behalf of Maine Historical Society – Grant Opportunity: The next round of applications for Maine Historical Society's Maine Memory Network grants--open to historical/collecting organizations, libraries, and schools--are due on Tuesday, September 4 (the day after Labor Day). Applications will be accepted in two categories: Digitization (up to $1,000) and Online Exhibit (up to $1,500). All projects will be shared through and become a part of Maine Memory Network, MHS's statewide digital museum. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact MHS in advance of applying to discuss project ideas, or to have draft applications reviewed. For more information, visit the MMN Grants page at: www.mainememory.net/grants. Or contact Community Partnership Coordinator Larissa Vigue Picard at 207-774-1822 x215 or lvpicard@mainehistory.org.

Upcoming Q&A between Justice Sandra Day O'Connor and the Maine Social Studies Community (8/2/12)

Q&A with Justice O’Connor: Exciting and unique opportunity! Former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor is interested in fielding questions from the Maine social studies community! She has most graciously agreed to participate in a Q&A session whereby she will answer questions posed by you. Although she is unable to be a keynote speaker at the Maine Council for the Social Studies (MCSS) conference, “Strengthening the Common Corps: Teaching for Citizenship in the 21st Century”, she has offered to record her responses to your questions. Her recorded remarks and responses will be shared at the MCSS conference on November 9, 2012, at the Augusta Civic Center. (For more information about the MCSS conference, visit: http://www.memun.org/mcss/)

As you are likely aware, Justice O’Connor has been working on strengthening and improving civic learning across the nation. She initiated the development of iCivics, an interactive website that is designed to engage students in the exploration of civics and provides free educational materials. Most recently she has championed HR 3464, referred to as the “Sandra Day O’Connor Civic Learning Act” which calls for, in part, a competitive grant program for civic learning at the US Department of Education. (Note that HR 3464 is currently sitting in the House’s Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education.)

What question(s) do you have for Justice O’Connor? Please take a few minutes and share any and all questions that you have. Submit your question(s) online by September 5, 2012:   https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/JusticeOConnor.

Summer ListServ Plans; Literacy & OER Sites Developed by Maine Teachers (6/12/12)

Summer Plans for the Maine DOE Social Studies ListServ: Please know that social studies happenings, information, and resources will continue to flow your way during the summer. The frequency of posts, though, will be less than the weekly posts sent during this past school year. Summer posts will be reserved for only the most pressing of social studies related matters! Regular, weekly posts, will resume in mid-August. Wishing each of you a delightful summer!

Maine Content Literacy Project (MCLP): If you’re looking for complete units of study that incorporate literacy strategies, open educational resources, technology, and assessments, you might consider reviewing the resources available on the MCLP’s site. On the site you’ll find an expansive list of various literacy strategies, each with an accompanying PDF document that provides a description of and instructions for use. Social Studies units include: Analyzing Nazi Propaganda; Civil Rights in America; Citizenship; and 1920s. The site also provides videos of teachers modeling the use of some of the resources found on the site. If you’re interested in viewing the site, you can visit: http://www.mainecontentliteracyproject.org/index.html.

OER for Social Studies: The Maine OER for Social Studies Research Group vetted numerous Open Educational Resources and developed a site that includes a lengthy list of resources for your consideration. To review the list for yourself and to learn more, check out: https://sites.google.com/site/oerforsocialstudies/home.

Assessment Survey; Stay Connected; Flag Day; 101 Sites (6/5/12)

Social Studies Assessment Survey: My thanks to all of you that completed the survey last week! Your thoughts and feedback have been helpful in providing a snapshot of the social studies assessment landscape. 88% of respondents expressed interest in sharing assessment tools with other teachers and 77% indicated they would be willing to roll up their sleeves and play a role in the possible development of standards-based assessments…just another example of how the social studies community is interested in coming together! I’ll keep you posted via the ListServ as any future plans begin to take shape.

(In case you missed last week’s ListServ post, I posted the survey in response to Governor LePage’s signing of LD 1422, which calls for a transition of the public education system "to one in which standards are used to guide curriculum and instruction and in which student advancement and graduation are based on student demonstration of proficiency in meeting educational standards." You can read the final disposition, if you’re interested, here: http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_125th/chapters/PUBLIC669.asp.)

Stay tuned; much more information to come regarding this transition.

Stay Connected: I encourage you to subscribe to the Commissioner’s Updates and the newsletter distributed by the Maine Council for the Social Studies, in addition to this ListServ. See information below.

MDOE Commissioner’s Update: To streamline the many communications from the Maine Department of Education, the Department has developed a weekly Commissioner’s Update (http://mainedoenews.net/category/news-views/from-the-commissioner/) that includes official correspondence, press releases, reporting requirements, news and information designed for superintendents, business managers, administrators and teachers, and available by subscription to anyone. To subscribe to the Commissioner’s Update and/or the Maine DOE Updates and press releases: http://maine.us2.list-manage1.com/subscribe?u=a582edd6473e477ef6307c769&id=21283d239d.

Maine Council for the Social Studies Newsletter: To subscribe to the Maine Council for the Social Studies (MCSS) newsletter, send an email request to: mainesocialstudies@gmail.com and type "subscribe" in the subject line. The newsletter provides timely information about professional development opportunities, events, programs, and teaching resources from a variety of organizations.

Flag Day: If you’re in search of some ideas and resources for June 14, Flag Day, the Library of Congress has posted information, lesson ideas that incorporate primary sources, and some suggested student activities. Knowing that the end of the school year can bring adjusted schedules, you may find these relatively short, yet meaningful and engaging activities helpful: http://blogs.loc.gov/teachers/2012/05/flag-day-exploring-the-history-and-meaning-of-a-national-symbol/.

FindingDulcinea’s 101 Great Sites for Social Studies Class: FindingDulcinea describes itself as the “Librarian of the Internet”. Recently the site released a list of sites that it deems “essential”. Here’s a link to the list, if you’re interested in seeing for yourself: http://www.findingdulcinea.com/news/education/2010/march/101-Great-Sites-for-Social-Studies.html.

Assessment Survey and PD This Week; Project Learning Tree (5/29/12)

Important Social Studies Assessment Survey For Social Studies Teachers – Please Complete By June 2

To access the SHORT survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SSAssessments2012.

What is this all about?

On May 21, 2012, Governor LePage signed LD 1422, which calls for a transition of the public education system "to one in which standards are used to guide curriculum and instruction and in which student advancement and graduation are based on student demonstration of proficiency in meeting educational standards." Here’s a link to the final disposition, if you’re interested in reading it: http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_125th/chapters/PUBLIC669.asp.

As we begin to think about next steps, it is important for me to hear from you in order to get the lay of the land regarding current social studies assessments at the district and classroom levels. Your candid input will be most helpful as implementation plans are developed. This SHORT survey is designed for PK-12 teachers of social studies. Please complete as soon as possible; this initial survey will close June 2. You can complete the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SSAssessments2012.

REMINDER - Professional Development Opportunities THIS WEEK:

FREE Regional Social Studies Workshop Sessions for 6-12 Social Studies Teachers on the Common Core State Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies:

Tuesday, May 29, 3:00-5:00 Camden Hills Regional High School – To register for the Camden location: http://tinyurl.com/midcoastss. Questions regarding this workshop can be directed to Christine Anderson Morehouse: christine.b.anderson@maine.edu or Kristie Littlefield:   kristie.littlefield@maine.gov.

Wednesday, May 30, 12:30-3:00 University of Maine Presque Isle, Campus Center – To register: http://www.cacepartnership.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=41&Itemid=69. Questions regarding this workshop can be directed to David Ouellette: david.w.ouellette@umpi.edu or Kristie Littlefield: kristie.littlefield@maine.gov.

Thursday, May 31, 3:30-5:30 University of Maine Farmington, Olson Student Center, North Dining Hall – To register for the Farmington location: http://tinyurl.com/ca4o389. Questions regarding this workshop can be directed to Kristie Littlefield: kristie.littlefield@maine.gov.

Maine State Museum Special Educator Preview: Wednesday, May 30, 4:30 PM The Maine State Museum invites all educators to a special preview of their exhibit, Malaga Island, Maine’s Forgotten Legacy. All educators are invited to stay for an evening lecture by Kate McBrien, exhibit curator, at 6:30 PM. For more information please contact Joanna Torow at 207-287-6608 or joanna.torow@maine.gov.

REMINDER - MCSS Call For Proposals: Maine Council for the Social Studies has announced their fall conference, Strengthening the Common Corps: Teaching for Citizenship in the 21st Century. The conference will be on Friday, November 9, at the Augusta Civic Center. MCSS is now accepting proposals for elementary, middle, and high school workshops. To submit a proposal, go to www.memun.org/mcss and click on the Request for Proposals link. Please email your proposal to mainesocialstudies@gmail.com by June 1.

On behalf of Maine Tree Foundation and Maine Project Learning Tree: Visit the Maine TREE Foundation website: www.mainetreefoundation.org and download your registration today for the 2012 Forests of Maine Teachers' Tour. Once again we'll tour the working forests of Maine with visits to small and large landowners. Stops and talks include tours of saw mills, paper mills, Land Trust properties and more. Speakers address Social Studies topics in economics, geography and history. Each tour begins with a Project Learning Tree workshop for teachers in grades preK through 16. Tour #1, Rangeley Lakes and Western Mountains - July 10 – 13 Tour #2, Leen's Lodge on West Grand Lake in Downeast Maine - July 24 – 27 Become certified as a Project Learning Tree Teacher. You’ll earn contact hours plus 3.0 CEU’s for an additional $20.00 fee. Reserve your space now! Registration Fee is $95.00* per person. (*Includes a $10.00 non-refundable administrative fee.)

New CCSS Resources Page; MCSS Proposals; Social Studies Workshops Reminder (5/21/12)

Updated Social Studies Standards Web Page: If you haven’t visited the Maine DOE Social Studies Standards page in awhile (or ever), you may want to take a look…you’ll find some information and resources for the Common Core State Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies, including a recording of last week’s webinar, Common Core: Implications for 6-12 Social Studies, along with some other resources for your consideration.

You can view the page here: http://www.maine.gov/education/lres/ss/standards2.html More to come!

REMINDER - MCSS Call for Proposals: Maine Council for the Social Studies has announced their fall conference, Strengthening the Common Corps: Teaching for Citizenship in the 21st Century. The conference will be on Friday, November 9, at the Augusta Civic Center. MCSS is now accepting proposals for elementary, middle, and high school workshops. To submit a proposal, go to www.memun.org/mcss and click on the Request for Proposals link. Please email your proposal to mainesocialstudies@gmail.com by June 1st.

REMINDER: Regional Social Studies Workshop Sessions: These sessions are designed for middle and high school social studies teachers. Connect with other social studies teachers in your region and explore ways that the Common Core State Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies can support thinking and learning in your content area. Each session will include an overview of the Common Core State Standards, as they relate to social studies, and updates on the current state of social studies education at the state and national levels. All workshops are FREE.

Tuesday, May 29, 3:00-5:00 Camden Hills Regional High School – To register for the Camden location: http://tinyurl.com/midcoastss. Questions regarding this workshop can be directed to Christine Anderson-Morehouse: christine.b.anderson@maine.edu or Kristie Littlefield: kristie.littlefield@maine.gov.

Wednesday, May 30, 2012 12:30-3:00 University of Maine Presque Isle, Campus Center – To register: http://www.cacepartnership.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=41&Itemid=69 Questions regarding this workshop can be directed to David Ouellette: david.w.ouellette@umpi.edu or Kristie Littlefield: kristie.littlefield@maine.gov.

Thursday, May 31, 3:30-5:30 University of Maine Farmington, Olson Student Center, North Dining Hall – To register for the Farmington location: http://tinyurl.com/ca4o389. Questions regarding this workshop can be directed to Kristie Littlefield: kristie.littlefield@maine.gov

Maine State Museum Special Educator Preview; May Workshops; Webinar Wednesday (5/15/12)

On behalf of the Maine State Museum: Special Educator Preview – Wednesday, May 30 4:30 PM

The Maine State Museum invites all educators to a special preview of our newest exhibit, Malaga Island, Maine’s Forgotten Legacy

This powerful new exhibit uses historical photographs, documents, archaeological artifacts, and perspectives of present-day people to tell the story of the mixed-race community evicted from Malaga Island one hundred years ago. Please join the education staff of the Maine State Museum to learn more about the educational programming that will accompany the exhibit including:

an in-depth gallery program;

live webcast discussions with exhibit designer, curator, archaeologists, and scholars;

additional teacher materials and training workshops exploring the themes of ethnicity, civil rights, social justice and much more

All educators are invited to stay for an evening lecture by Kate McBrien, exhibit curator at 6:30 PM. For more information please contact Joanna Torow at 207-287-6608 or joanna.torow@maine.gov.

REMINDER: Regional Social Studies Workshop Sessions: These sessions are designed for middle and high school social studies teachers. Connect with other social studies teachers in your region and explore ways that the Common Core State Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies can support thinking and learning in your content area. Each session will include an overview of the Common Core Standards, as they relate to social studies, and updates on the current state of social studies education on the state and national levels. All workshops are FREE.

Tuesday, May 29, 3:00-5:00 Camden Hills Regional High School – To register for the Camden location: http://tinyurl.com/midcoastss. Questions regarding this workshop can be directed to Christine Anderson-Morehouse: christine.b.anderson@maine.edu or Kristie Littlefield: kristie.littlefield@maine.gov.

Wednesday, May 30, 2012 12:30-3:00 University of Maine Presque Isle, Campus Center – To register: http://www.cacepartnership.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=41&Itemid=69 Questions regarding this workshop can be directed to David Ouellette: david.w.ouellette@umpi.edu or Kristie Littlefield: kristie.littlefield@maine.gov.

Thursday, May 31, 3:30-5:30 University of Maine Farmington, Olson Student Center, North Dining Hall – To register for the Farmington location: http://tinyurl.com/ca4o389. Questions regarding this workshop can be directed to Kristie Littlefield: kristie.littlefield@maine.gov.

TOMORROW’S WEBINAR (5/16/12) - CCSS for Literacy in History/Social Studies Webinar for 6-12 Teachers: If you’re unable to attend one of the regional workshop sessions, join tomorrow’s webinar. Not able to make that either? No worries. The session will be recorded and posted to the Maine DOE Social Studies web pages. Tomorrow’s webinar will last about an hour and will begin at 3:30 pm.

To join the meeting:

Go online to http://stateofmaine.adobeconnect.com/pk20151612a/.

Select 'Enter as a Guest' and type your name in the corresponding field.

No phone connection is necessary. To listen, be sure your computer speakers are on and set at an appropriate level.

MCSS Fall Conference; Upcoming PD; Reminders (5/8/12)

Save the Date: Maine Council for the Social Studies Conference Friday, November 9 at the Augusta Civic Center. MCSS is now accepting proposals for elementary, middle, and high school workshops for Strengthening the Common Corps: Teaching for Citizenship in the 21st Century. To submit a proposal, go to www.memun.org/mcss and click on the Request for Proposals link. (You will also find a link to the May-June MCSS newsletter on the site.) Please email your proposal to mainesocialstudies@gmail.com by June 1st.

Library of Congress’ Teaching with Primary Sources FREE online professional development: Designed specifically for educational leaders, participants complete independent assignments and five one-hour voice chat discussion sessions. TPS:BASICS is an educate-the-educator course that models inquiry teaching and learning, incorporating primary sources at each stage of the inquiry cycle using classroom-ready model activities and time-tested practices. Working individually and in collaboration with fellow participants, educational leaders complete and develop inquiry-based learning activities to share with their local colleagues. Participants will complete a total of fifteen hours of professional development and will receive a certificate of completion. Wednesdays, May 23rd – June 20th 1:00 - 2:00 pm (chat sessions) OR 5:30 - 6:30 pm (chat sessions) Register online: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BV7X96H   For more information, visit: https://tps.waynesburg.edu/tpseasternregion/events.

Reminder: Webinar: Common Core: Implications for 6-12 Social Studies

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 – 3:30 pm

Maine DOE Social Studies Specialist, Kristie Littlefield, will be conducting a series of upcoming webinars on the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for Literacy in History/Social Studies, designed specifically for social studies teachers. The first session will provide an introduction and overview of the structure of CCSS with a focus on implications for 6-12 social studies instruction. Dates and topics for additional webinars will be posted soon. All webinars will be recorded and available for later viewing on the DOE site.

To join the meeting:

Go online to http://stateofmaine.adobeconnect.com/pk20151612a/.

Select 'Enter as a Guest' and type your name in the corresponding field.

No phone connection is necessary. To listen, be sure your computer speakers are on and set at an appropriate level.

Reminder: 3 Regional Social Studies Workshop Sessions Scheduled: These sessions are designed for middle and high school social studies teachers. Connect with other social studies teachers in your region and explore ways that the Common Core State Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies can support thinking and learning in your content area. Each session will include an overview of the Common Core Standards, as they relate to social studies, and updates on the current state of social studies education on the state and national levels. All workshops are FREE.

Tuesday, May 29, 2012 3:00-5:00 Camden Hills Regional High School – To register for the Camden location: http://tinyurl.com/midcoastss. Questions regarding this workshop can be directed to Christine Anderson-Morehouse: christine.b.anderson@maine.edu or Kristie Littlefield: kristie.littlefield@maine.gov.

Wednesday, May 30, 2012 12:30-3:00 University of Maine Presque Isle, Campus Center – To register: http://www.cacepartnership.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=41&Itemid=69 Questions regarding this workshop can be directed to David Ouellette: david.w.ouellette@umpi.edu or Kristie Littlefield: kristie.littlefield@maine.gov.

Thursday, May 31, 2012 3:30-5:30 University of Maine Farmington, Olson Student Center, North Dining Hall – To register for the Farmington location: http://tinyurl.com/ca4o389. Questions regarding this workshop can be directed to Kristie Littlefield: kristie.littlefield@maine.gov.

Reminder: Deadline for the 8th Grade Citizenship Award Program is May 23, 2012. For more information visit: http://www.maine.gov/sos/kids/student-programs/8th_citi.html or contact Nicole Ladner at nicole.ladner@maine.gov or 207-626-8400.

On behalf of College of the Atlantic: Strengthening Wabanaki Content for the Classroom, taught by Raney Bench of the Abbe Museum, and Donald Soctomah, Passamaquoddy – June 24 - 30, 2012

The Wabanaki have lived in Maine for over 12,000 years, and remain as politically sovereign Nations with their own land base and elected officials. This course is designed to give teachers from all grade levels the background information about Wabanaki culture needed to effectively meet their requirements for Social Studies and the Wabanaki Initiative. The course will focus on Wabanaki life prior to European contact, through the present political relationships with the state and federal governments. Each day guest speakers from Wabanaki communities will present on a variety of topics, from birch bark art and canoes, to traditional uses of plants, to the Maine Settlement Act.

In addition, the course is designed to take the burden off teachers to create Wabanaki units, instead focusing on smaller, interdisciplinary lessons that can be folded into their current curriculum throughout the year. Teachers will leave the class knowing more about Wabanaki culture from direct interactions with Wabanaki artists, linguists, and cultural leaders; with the skills to better evaluate media for stereotypes and inaccuracies; and with a complete lesson plan they design, ready to use in their classrooms.

This course can be taken for CEU or graduate credit. Limited scholarship funding is available.

For a complete course description, information on how to register, or to apply for scholarship assistance, please visit COA’s website at http://www.coa.edu/summercoursereginfo.htm, call 1-800-597-9500 or e-mail summer@coa.edu.

On behalf of the Center for the Study of Early American History: Center for the Study of Early American History – All the Kingdoms of the Earth: Henry Knox's World in Global, National, and Local Perspective

Deadline for applications: June 1, 2012 – still a few openings; July 16 - 20, 2012

The Center for the Study of Early American History at The General Henry Knox Museum announces its seventh annual Summer Teacher Institute, open to all teachers of history and social studies. The program integrates classroom lectures, hands-on projects, public events and field trips. During the 2012 Institute participants will explore Henry Knox's historical milieu, gaining an appreciation for the ways in which local and regional history can illuminate larger historical trends, and learning ways to bring this into their classrooms.

Funding from several generous donors, matching a grant from the Sunshine Lady Foundation, allows us to offer this program free of charge for those interested in CEU's or contact hours, and some free housing is available for students not able to commute. In this course, participants will:

Increase their subject knowledge of early American history through community resources and stories

Learn from noted experts and scholars

Earn up to 40 contact hours OR we anticipate you will be able to register with the University of Maine's Hutchinson Center for college credit (3 credit hours, a U Maine registration fee applies)

Complete a research project that informs their work in the classroom.

For more information: http://knoxmuseum.org/education.html.

Upcoming DOE Social Studies Webinar & Regional Workshops; HHRC Bully 2.0 Series; Questing Course (5/1/12)

Webinar: Common Core: Implications for 6-12 Social Studies – Wednesday, May 16, 2012 – 3:30 pm

Maine DOE Social Studies Specialist, Kristie Littlefield, will be conducting a series of upcoming webinars on the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for Literacy in History/Social Studies, designed specifically for social studies teachers. The first session will provide an introduction and overview of the structure of CCSS with a focus on implications for 6-12 social studies instruction. Dates and topics for additional webinars will be posted soon. All webinars will be recorded and available for later viewing on the DOE site.

To join the meeting:

Go online to http://stateofmaine.adobeconnect.com/pk20151612a/.

Select Enter as a Guest and type your name in the corresponding field.

No phone connection is necessary. To listen, be sure your computer speakers are on and set at an appropriate level.

3 Regional Social Studies Workshop Sessions Scheduled: These sessions are designed for middle and high school social studies teachers. Connect with other social studies teachers in your region and explore ways that the Common Core State Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies can support thinking and learning in your content area. Each session will include an overview of the Common Core Standards, as they relate to social studies, and updates on the current state of social studies education on the state and national levels. All workshops are FREE.

Tuesday, May 29, 3:00-5:00 Camden Hills Regional High School – To register for the Camden location: http://tinyurl.com/midcoastss Questions regarding this workshop can be directed to Christine Anderson-Morehouse: christine.b.anderson@maine.edu or Kristie Littlefield: kristie.littlefield@maine.gov.

Wednesday, May 30, 2012 12:30-3:00 University of Maine Presque Isle, Campus Center – To register: http://www.cacepartnership.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=41&Itemid=69 Questions regarding this workshop can be directed to David Ouellette: david.w.ouellette@umpi.edu or Kristie Littlefield: kristie.littlefield@maine.gov.

Thursday, May 31, 3:30-5:30 University of Maine Farmington, Olson Student Center, North Dining Hall – To register for the Farmington location: http://tinyurl.com/ca4o389.

Bully 2.0: From Kicking Sand to Clicking Send series at HHRC: The Holocaust and Human Rights Center (HHRC) of Maine is sponsoring a spring series in May of free film showings, discussions and workshops focused on raising awareness about bullying. The series takes place throughout May at the HHRC located on the University of Maine at Augusta campus. The events are geared to students, educators and community members. Contact hours are available for attending most events. For a complete listing of events, check out the HHRC site. Once on the page, click on the Bully 2.0 flyer in the right-hand column. http://hhrc.uma.edu/exhibition/coming-winter-2011-digging-in-the-ruins-of-history-memory-the-nazi-holocaust/

On behalf of HGLC:

2012 Summer Courses for Educators at Herring Gut Learning Center

This July, Herring Gut Learning Center will offer two multi-day courses for educators on project-based learning at our beautiful waterfront campus in Port Clyde (a scenic mid-coast fishing village). Although better known for our classroom science projects, one of the professional development courses that HGLC is offering this year is perfect for elementary and middle level social studies teachers. "Classroom Quests" is an ideal place-based education project for teachers who want to learn an innovative way to integrate their lessons into their local community. The application and scholarship deadline for this course is May 31st, 2012.

Our three-day, 25 hour Questing course will be taught by Steve Glazer, co-author of Questing: A Guide to Creating Community Treasure Hunts and an internationally respected leader in the growing field of place-based education. Steve is also the creator of four different Quest curricula for social studies teachers including: a Civil War Quest, an early settlement Quest, a cemetery Quest and a village Quest.

A Quest is a treasure hunt that tells a story about a particular place such as: the rise and decline of waterfront industries, how immigration has shaped your community, or how Native Americans once lived there. A finished Quest includes: movement clues leading to key locations in the story; teaching clues describing these places and features; a Quest map that illustrates the journey and story; and a hidden Quest Box that contains a Quest stamp, sign-in book, and extra information. At the end of the course you will not only know how to lead your students in the creation of a Quest in their own region but you will also have created a Quest for use by visitors and residents alike that tells the story of Port Clyde's fishery.

The tuition for all of our sessions is $675.00 and includes instruction, all materials, breakfast and lunch daily, a boat trip on Muscongus Bay, and free on-campus housing in our lovely, renovated farmhouse for up to six participants who are unable to commute. Partial scholarships are available to a limited number of applicants. Graduate credits and CEU's are also offered. To be eligible to apply for on-campus housing or scholarships, complete applications must be received by May 31, 2012.

FMI and to register for any one of our sessions please go to: http://www.herringgut.org/forteachers.html.

Social Studies Conversation; Service-Learning Guide; Free Electronic Field Trip; Upcoming FREE PD Opportunities (4/24/12)

Reminder: Social Studies Community Group Conversation: The conversation continues on Wednesday, April 25 from 3:30-4:30. The session will focus on brainstorming ideas around the target areas identified after the last conversation: building of a statewide social studies network/community; publicizing and promoting social studies at the local and state levels; examining how the Common Core State Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies impact teaching and assessment; and strengthening the teaching and learning of social studies at the elementary level. If you’re interested in joining the conversation and have not yet been in touch, let me know and I’ll forward you the login information: kristie.littlefield@maine.gov   And, by all means, if you have ideas to share, but are unable to join the conversation, let me know!

NEW! Service-Learning in Maine – A Guide to Implementing Quality Service-Learning: The Maine Commission for Community Service has made this resource available to educators, at all levels, who are interested in utilizing service-learning as a methodology in their classrooms. It includes an overview of the instructional strategy along with a comprehensive planning guide and supporting documents. The guide is available at no cost by contacting Richard Higgins at richard.higgins@maine.gov. An electronic PDF version (2.5MB) may also be requested via e-mail. Requesters must include their full name, title, organization, and mailing address, whether they are requesting printed copies or the electronic file.

Complimentary Electronic Field Trip for Grades 4-8 from Colonial Williamsburg:

The Electronic Field Trip, “The Will of the People,” examines the presidential election of 1800, one of the most bitter in U.S. history, and provides a surprising lesson for a 21st-century student. Thomas Jefferson explains how negative campaigning, partisan politics, and contested elections have been a part of our political system since the earliest days of the republic. Registration now open for September dates, for more details and to register, visit: http://giftnation.history.org/

Free PD from the Library of Congress - TPS:BASICS:

Designed specifically for educational leaders, participants complete independent assignments and five one-hour voice chat discussion sessions. TPS:BASICS is an educate-the-educator course that models inquiry teaching and learning, incorporating primary sources at each stage of the inquiry cycle using classroom-ready model activities and time-tested practices. Working individually and in collaboration with fellow participants, educational leaders complete and develop inquiry-based learning activities to share with their local colleagues. Participants will complete a total of fifteen hours of professional development and will receive a certificate of completion.

Wednesdays, May 23rd – June 20th

1:00 - 2:00 pm (chat sessions) OR 5:30 - 6:30 pm (chat sessions)

Register online: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BV7X96H

More information: https://tps.waynesburg.edu/tpseasternregion/events

Reminder – on behalf of the Maine Humanities Council:

An Engaged Citizenry: Using Primary Sources in Civics and Government

One-day kickoff: July 2012

Four webinars: Fall 2012

Culminating lesson plan project: January 2013

The Library of Congress’ Teaching with Primary Sources Program offers unparalleled online teaching resources, particularly primary sources that illustrate our nation’s development and civic functions. In An Engaged Citizenry: Using Primary Sources in Civics and Government, offered by the Maine Humanities Council, Maine teachers will explore civics through the lens of three topics: the Constitution, relationships with Native Americans, and emancipation. These will be used as “case studies” to understand how to best integrate primary sources—from the Library of Congress and local archives—into the classroom. CEUs and a small stipend available. For more information and to register, visit http://mainehumanities.org/special-programs/engaged-citizenry/index.html.

8th Grade Citizenship Awards; FREE Margaret Chase Smith DVD; Scholarship Opportunity; KONY 2012 Teacher Guide (4/10/12)

On behalf of the Office of the Secretary of State: 8th Grade Citizenship Award Program

The Secretary of State’s Eighth Grade Citizenship Award Program is an annual effort designed to honor Maine students for their civic awareness, scholastic achievements and community service. In 2011, 135 schools recognized an eighth grader for outstanding citizenship qualities.

As you may know, this award seeks to inspire students to become active citizens. Because civic responsibility developed at an early age usually continues throughout a lifetime, we believe it’s important to encourage young people to become engaged in their school and community.

Please consider nominating a student in 2012. This program can be a valuable part of your school’s recognition of exceptional young citizens.

A letter containing an online application login will be mailed to schools next week. Submissions are due by May 23rd, 2012. Please allow two weeks to process your nomination.

For more information visit: http://www.maine.gov/sos/kids/student-programs/8th_citi.html or contact Nicole Ladner at nicole.ladner@maine.gov or 207-626-8400.

On behalf of the Margaret Chase Smith Library: FREE DVD

The Margaret Chase Smith Library is pleased to make available to teachers for classroom use copies of “The Life of Margaret Chase Smith.” This hour-long documentary tells the story of one of the first women in United States history able to make politics a career and the person who became “the voice of American conscience” during the McCarthy Era. Produced by Bar Harbor resident Jeff Dobbs and narrated by former NBC correspondent Jack Perkins, the biography has already aired several times on the Maine Public Broadcasting Network. To obtain a free copy, send name and school mailing address to mcsl@mcslibrary.org. The supply is limited.

On behalf of the College of the Atlantic: Scholarship Opportunity for Maine Educators

This summer, College of the Atlantic (COA) is offering a number of partial scholarships to Maine educators who participate in the college’s graduate-level courses for K-12 teachers. Awards will continue until all available funds have been depleted and the final deadline to apply is April 30, 2012. More information on course offerings can be found online at www.coa.edu/summercourses. To download scholarship eligibility guidelines and an application form, visit http://www.coa.edu/summercoursereginfo.htm.

For more information, or to receive the scholarship application by email, contact Jean Sylvia in COA’s summer programs office: 1-800-597-9500; email summer@coa.edu.

KONY 2012 Teacher Guide Available: Last week, the Outreach Council of the African Studies Association released a KONY2012 Teacher Guide that provides a brief explanation of the origins of the conflict in Uganda. It identifies some specific stereotypes and generalizations that the KONY 2012 video may have created or reinforced about Africa for those students that have viewed the video with little or no contextual knowledge of recent African history. The guide includes suggestions on how to guide students through an analysis of the video and analysis of social media as a political and educational tool. Several links to various resources are also included. If you’re interested, view the PDF here: http://www.bu.edu/africa/files/2012/04/Kony-React-Respond-4-3-12.pdf.

Free Music; AP World History Institute; Lost on a Mountain in Maine (4/3/12)

Free POW/MIA CD & DVD for all Maine middle and high schools: The Maine Legislature recently adopted LD 1640, designating the 3rd Friday of September as Prisoner of War-Missing in Action Recognition Day. Wendell Austin, the owner of Peace & Freedom Music, is providing free copies of his song, “Bring Me Home” for use by schools. The CD offers the song with and without vocals in rock, folk, and country genres. If you’re interested in learning more about the free CD/DVD offer, contact Wendell Austin by email: gosmuswa@midmaine.com or phone: (207) 736-2225.

AP World History Summer Institute: August 12-17, 2012 on the Schoodic Education and Research Center (SERC) campus in Acadia National Park. Scholarships are available. Visit the SERC website for more details: http://www.sercinstitute.org/education/teacher-education-ap-classes.

On behalf of Maine Humanities Council: Lost in a Graphic Novel in Maine: Recreating a Classic Book

Saturday, May 12, 9:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Maine Discovery Museum, Bangor
A Maine Humanities Council program, presented in partnership with Down East Publishing

Engage your students with classic Maine content using a format they know and love—the graphic novel. Donn Fendler’s Lost on a Mountain in Maine, which vividly describes his nine days alone on Mt. Katahdin, has received a fresh new face in the capable hands of beloved Maine author Lynn Plourde and talented artist Ben Bishop. Lost Trail: Nine Days Alone in the Wilderness reinterprets Fendler’s tale as a graphic novel, which is sure to appeal to a new generation of students. In this half-day program featuring University of Maine professor Richard Judd, Donn Fendler, Lynn Plourde, and Ben Bishop, you’ll:

Gain an understanding of the history of climbing Mt. Katahdin.

Hear the original story from Donn Fendler himself.

Learn about the process of turning a book into a graphic novel.

Learn how to teach your students to create their own graphic novels.

CEUs will be available.

For more information and to register, visit http://mainehumanities.org/special-programs/lost-trail/.

Financial Literacy Conference; Summer Workshops; Partnership Opportunity (3/27/12)

3rd Annual Fostering Financial Literacy Conference: The Maine Jump$tart Coalition will be hosting a Fostering Financial Literacy in Maine Schools Conference from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Augusta Civic Center on Thursday, April 26 for K-12 teachers. FREE classroom resources will be distributed. To register and for more details, visit: http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07e5iplyjf0333cb71&llr=orrbr6iab.

Summer Workshop: Congress in the Classroom: Congress in the Classroom is designed for high school or middle school teachers   who teach U.S. history, government, civics, political science, or social studies. The July 23-26 workshop is dedicated to the exchange of ideas and information on teaching about Congress. Most costs are covered by the Dirksen Congressional Center. There is a competitive enrollment process, limited to 40 teachers, with an online application due no later than April 15, 2012. For more details, visit: http://www.dirksencenter.org/print_programs_overview.htm.

NAIS: Challenge 20/20 Partnership: The National Association of Independent Schools invites schools to participate in Challenge 20/20, a program that brings together one school from the United States and one school from outside of the United States. Teacher-student teams from both schools work together throughout the fall 2012 school semester to come up with a solution to a global problem. Challenge 20/20 is based on Jean Francois Richard's book, High Noon: 20 Global Problems, 20 Years to Solve Them. Eligibility: all U.S. schools, elementary and secondary, public or private. Deadline: August 17, 2012 http://www.nais.org/resourc es/index.cfm?ItemNumber=147262.

On behalf of Maine Department of Marine Resources – Maine Studies: Lighthouses & Lobsters (August 6-8, 2012)

Did you know that many of the earliest lighthouses predate the birth of our nation? And did you know that the history of Maine and our nation stems from the discovery of fish? Well, sign up today for a three-day workshop at the Burnt Island Light Station in Boothbay Harbor to learn about lighthouses, lobsters, fish, and more. This residential workshop is designed to provide teachers with materials, strategies, and experiences that will enhance instruction about Maine through science, history, social studies, and language arts. Participants will experience lobstering with a real lobsterman and they will participate in a living history program that interprets what lighthouse life was like back in 1950.

The syllabus can be found at: http://www.maine.gov/dmr/burntisland/courses/index.htm and please feel free to e-mail Elaine.jones@maine.gov should you have any questions. This year, we are pleased to announce that scholarships are available through an application process. Click on the link to learn more about the Burnt Island Lighthouse and its educational programs.

CCSS; Lessons; Civil Rights Movement; Youth Advisory Council (3/20/12)

What do the Common Core State Standards Mean for History Teaching and Learning?: The National History Education Clearinghouse has shared thoughts and statements from classroom teachers and university professors: http://teachinghistory.org/issues-and-research/roundtable/25348

Reading Like a Historian: The Stanford History Education Group website houses a large number of lessons that feature sets of primary documents and activities designed to engage students in historical inquiry: http://sheg.stanford.edu/?q=node/21

OurStory: The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History and the National Center for Family Literacy have created a website that combines history, literature, and hands-on activities. Searchable by subject, time period or activity type, teachers of elementary students may find this a helpful resource (adaptable for higher levels, too): http://www.americanhistory.si.edu/ourstory/about/

Bringing History Home: A collection of curriculum units for K-5 teachers are available for download. Each unit is designed to develop skills and knowledge: http://www.bringinghistoryhome.org/

“Teaching the Movement”: In September 2011, the Southern Poverty Law Center and Teaching Tolerance released a report, Teaching the Movement: The State of Civil Rights Education in the United States. Maine, along with 34 other states, scored an “F” on coverage of Civil Rights. Note that the findings are based on the language of the 2007 Maine Learning Results and do not reflect the curriculum that local school districts across our state have developed and are implementing. In response to the report, Teaching Tolerance has released Teaching the Movement: The State Standards We Deserve, which includes best practices and models for consideration. The guidelines can be read at: http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/publications/teaching-the-movement-the-state-standards-we-deserve.

On behalf of GenerationOn:

GenerationOn, the global youth service movement igniting the power of all kids to make their mark on the world, is now accepting applications for the next Youth Advisory Council.

Do you know a young person between the ages of 13-18 who is passionate about service and would make a great leader? The GenerationOn Youth Advisory Council will offer twelve inspiring youth leaders from middle and high school across the nation the opportunity to participate in a national leadership development program, while acting as ambassadors for GenerationOn and serving as leaders in their own communities. Members will partner with like-minded youth and have the opportunity to take part in a special, expense-paid, kick-off youth leadership training program.

Click here to access more information: http://www.generationon.org/global/big-happenings/youth-advisory-council2012-2014

Click here to access a flyer to share with others: http://www.generationon.org/teens/2012-2014yacflyer

Social Studies Group Follow-up & Historic New England Programs (3/13/12)

Follow-up: Social Studies Community Group Conversation- The first virtual meeting of the Social Studies Community Group went well last week! Based on the December survey results and the group discussion, a few focus areas emerged as we work toward elevating the teaching and learning of social studies across Maine:

Building of a statewide social studies network/community where teachers can share ideas, ask questions, find resources

Publicizing and promoting social studies at the local and state levels

Examining how the Common Core State Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies impact teaching and assessment

Strengthening the teaching and learning of social studies at the elementary level – providing assistance/resources to teachers that are interested in integrating social studies into their daily teaching

The group will be convening again in a few weeks. If you’re interested in learning more or joining the conversation, be in touch: kristie.littlefield@maine.gov or 624-6828

On behalf of Historic New England: Historic New England School Programs in Wiscasset

Historic New England, the oldest, largest, and most comprehensive preservation organization in the country, is excited to invite you and your students to participate in our newest educational programs, available now at Castle Tucker and the Nickels-Sortwell House in Wiscasset. Historic New England’s school and youth programs have earned national attention for the innovative ways in which they use historical resources to reinforce and enrich student learning.

Programs are fun, multi-disciplinary and suited to a variety of learning styles. Designed in collaboration with local educators, programs align with state curriculum standards and allow young people to learn through multiple approaches, including hands-on activities, role-playing, and cooperative learning. In 2011, our education team served over 40,000 students from 159 communities throughout New England, including piloting versions of our new programs with students in Wiscasset and Edgecomb.

A Tale of Two Houses: Mid-Coast Maine in the 1800s is a history and economics based program aimed primarily at 3rd-7th grade students. The program focuses on the changing economic realities of Wiscasset throughout the nineteenth century: the post-Revolutionary boom, post-Embargo Act decline, and subsequent rise of tourism in the mid-coast region; as well as the architectural legacy of that time. According to one fifth grade student who participated last year, “it’s historic but not in a boring way like reading from a book we actually get to look at the stuff”.

In Search of a Story: the Children of Castle Tucker is a language arts based program geared towards students in grades 5-8. During the program, students become familiar with the five children of the Tucker family through family letters and other primary source documents, as well as the physical spaces of Castle Tucker. While on their field trip, students do pre-writing exercises and, back in the classroom, create a short piece of historical fiction using one of the children as their main character. While writing her story, one 7th grade student said, “Castle Tucker is interesting and I can imagine everything being live with the family”

Both programs are available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays in the spring starting April 24, and in the fall through November 2.

For further information, please contact jaudreygraham@gmail.com or Carolin Collins, Historic New England Education Program Manager at ccollins@historicnewengland.org.

Learn more online about:

Castle Tucker - http://www.historicnewengland.org/historic-properties/homes/castle-tucker/castle-tucker

The Nickels-Sortwell House - http://www.historicnewengland.org/historic-properties/homes/nickels-sortwell-house/nickels-sortwell-house

In Search of a Story and A Tale of Two Houses - http://www.historicnewengland.org/about-us/whats-new/new-wiscasset-school-programs

Historic New England - http://www.historicnewengland.org/

Social Studies Community Group Conversation & Upcoming PD (3/6/12)

Reminder: Social Studies Community Group Conversation – As mentioned in previous ListServ posts, the first virtual meeting for a conversation with educators interested in discussing the elevation of teaching and learning of social studies in Maine will be on Thursday, March 8 from 3:30 – 4:30 pm. If you’ve already been in touch, you will be receiving an email on Wednesday with login information. If you’re interested in joining the conversation and have not previously been in touch, please email me directly and I’ll add you to the list: kristie.littlefield@maine.gov. Interested, yet unable to attend this session? No problem. I’ll keep you posted via the ListServ. Looking forward to talking social studies!

3rd Annual Fostering Financial Literacy Conference: The Maine Jump$tart Coalition will be hosting a Fostering Financial Literacy in Maine Schools Conference from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Augusta Civic Center on Thursday, April 26 for K-12 teachers. FREE classroom resources will be distributed. Registration is now open. To register and for more details, visit: http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07e5iplyjf0333cb71&llr=orrbr6iab.

On behalf of the Maine Humanities Council:

An Engaged Citizenry: Using Primary Sources in Civics and Government

One-day kickoff: July 2012

Three webinars: Fall 2012

Culminating lesson plan project: January 2013

The Library of Congress’ Teaching with Primary Sources Program offers unparalleled online teaching resources, particularly primary sources that illustrate our nation’s development and civic functions. In An Engaged Citizenry: Using Primary Sources in Civics and Government, offered by the Maine Humanities Council, Maine teachers will explore civics through the lens of three topics: the Constitution, relationships with Native Americans, and emancipation. These will be used as “case studies” to understand how to best integrate primary sources—from the Library of Congress and local archives—into the classroom. CEUs and a small stipend available. For more information and to register, visit http://mainehumanities.org/special-programs/engaged-citizenry/index.html.

On behalf of the Center for the Study of Early American History:

All the Kingdoms of the Earth: Henry Knox's World in Global, National, and Local Perspective

July 16 - 20, 2012

The Center for the Study of Early American History at The General Henry Knox Museum announces its seventh annual Summer Teacher Institute, open to all teachers of history and social studies.

The program integrates classroom lectures, hands-on projects, public events and field trips. During the 2012 Institute participants will explore Henry Knox's historical milieu, gaining an appreciation for the ways in which local and regional history can illuminate larger historical trends, and learning ways to bring this into their classrooms.

Funding from several generous donors, matching a grant from the Sunshine Lady Foundation, allows us to offer this program free of charge for those interested in CEU's or contact hours, and some free housing is available for students not able to commute. In this course, participants will:

Increase their subject knowledge of early American history through community resources and stories

Learn from noted experts and scholars

Earn up to 40 contact hours OR we anticipate you will be able to register with the University of Maine's Hutchinson Center for college credit (3 credit hours, a U Maine registration fee applies) or Framingham State University (3 credit hours, a FSU registration fee applies)

Complete a research project that informs their work in the classroom

http://knoxmuseum.org/education.html

Standards Update; News IQ; Wabanaki Course; Financial Capability Challenge (2/28/12)

Common State Standards Update (Note: Maine is a member of the Social Studies Assessment Curriculum and Instruction (SSACI) group currently working on the development of common standards. I will be attending the next meeting scheduled for late May and will update you as more information becomes available.) Statement from SSACI: Twenty one state education agencies are collaborating with fifteen professional organizations in the social studies to develop a set of standards.  The groups have a shared framework focused on both disciplinary and interdisciplinary ways of thinking about civics, economics, geography and history.  The ultimate goal is to produce a set of fewer, higher, clearer standards that prepare all students for college, career, and citizenship.  As states continue their conversations, we will share any additional information and updates.

News IQ Quiz: The Pew Research Center released a report this fall on the results of a national poll that measured “news knowledge” in words and images. The 18-29 age bracket typically scores lower on these types of surveys than the older groups; this survey was no exception. Although, the difference in scores between age groups is much less pronounced in these survey results. To test your own (and/or your students’) News IQ, take the short quiz comprised of questions from the national poll: http://www.people-press.org/2011/11/07/what-the-public-knows-in-words-and-pictures/?src=iq-quiz.

On behalf of the College of the Atlantic – Strengthening Wabanaki Content for the Classroom course offered June 24-30, 2012:

This summer College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor, Maine will offer a new course taught by Donald Soctomah, Passamaquoddy Tribal historian, and Raney Bench, Curator of Education for the Abbe Museum. Each instructor will bring their expertise to this course providing content, resources and techniques for interdisciplinary teaching about the history and culture of the Native people of Maine, for teachers of all grade levels. The course will focus on life prior to European contact, the science of archaeology and what it can and cannot tell us about life in Maine; stereotypes surrounding Wabanaki people and Native Americans. Teachers will develop skills in learning how to detect and understand the representation of Native people in media; create a lesson to use in the classroom; learn new techniques and resources for teaching about Native people; and have the chance to learn from Wabanaki artists, scholars, and cultural leaders.

For more information, please visit http://www.coa.edu/summercourses or contact College of the Atlantic at 800-597– 9500, (207) 801-5634, or e-mail SUMMER@COA.EDU .

Click here to download a promotional broadsheet. (PDF)

On behalf of Mary Dyer, Financial Education Specialist – Finance Authority of Maine:

The National Financial Capability Challenge runs from March 12 through April 13, 2012. The Challenge is a free, voluntary, online series of financial questions for high school students to check their knowledge of earning, spending, saving, borrowing, risk protection, and more.

You can sign up for free at challenge.treas.gov to administer the Challenge to your students. As educators, it is critically important to use this opportunity to help prepare our students for financial independence!

It's quick. It takes only about 30 minutes to administer the Challenge online, but the lessons your students will learn in preparing will last a lifetime.

It's easy. Comprehensive lesson plans and sample questions are available in the online Educator Toolkit to help you prepare your students for the Challenge.

It's rewarding. Educators and top-scoring students in each school will earn personalized award certificates and states with the highest participation will also be recognized.

Any high school educator can do it. Even if you’re not a math or personal finance educator, I encourage you to register so your students can participate.

The website also provides tools you can use to easily spread the word about the Challenge, including:

Content you can email to other educators,

A flier with all the details for you to attach to your email or post in the teachers' lounge,

Content you can submit for publication in your district's newsletter,

Content you can post on websites, blogs, and other online sites.

Please don’t delay! Register today at challenge.treas.gov. Your students’ financial futures depend on you!

Correction; Free GW portrait; Free Wabanaki Workshop at Abbe Museum (2/5/12)

CORRECTION: PBS will actually be airing, More Than a Month, a film by an African-American filmmaker about his campaign to end Black History Month on Sunday, February 19 at 11:00 p.m. – not the date provided in last week’s ListServ post. I should have “checked local listings”; sorry for any confusion.

George Washington’s Mount Vernon: With Presidents’ Day just around the corner, you may want to visit the Mount Vernon site. You’ll find a wealth of resources including: a virtual tour of Washington’s estate, interactive treasure hunt, and information about face-to-face videoconferencing programs. The Teachers and Students page can be found here: http://www.mountvernon.org/educational-resources/teachers-students FREE portraits of Washington are being offered for display in schools. These aren’t cheezy posters - we’re talking 30”x36” framed replicas of Rembrandt Peale’s Porthole Portrait of George Washington, 1795. For more information visit: http://www.mountvernon.org/support-his-vision/special-programs/portrait-schools

On Behalf of the Abbe Museum:

ABBE MUSEUM 2012 Wabanaki Initiative Teacher Workshop - FREE!

Date: Monday March 26, 2012

Time: 8:30-4:00 (Teachers Will Receive 7 Contact Hours)

Location: Abbe Museum Downtown Bar Harbor

The Abbe Museum will host our annual Teacher Workshop designed to help teachers develop the tools, and understand the resources available to better teach about the Wabanaki of Maine and meet their PEI’s and Wabanaki Initiative requirements.

The 2012 workshop will focus on classroom solutions and integrated teaching in an effort to address concerns about the time and resources required to work with new content, such as Wabanaki Studies. Encouraging teachers to move away from dedicated units about Native people, the workshop will include examples of lessons that can be incorporated into multiple disciplines. Teachers will create their own lesson to use in the classroom, and have the opportunity to receive feedback on the plan from colleagues.

John Bear Mitchell, Penobscot, will host the workshop with Raney Bench, Curator of Education for the Abbe Museum. Mitchell is a lecturer at the University of Maine, Orono, and is the Associate Director of the Wabanaki Studies Center. Prior to his work at the University, Mitchell was an elementary school teacher on Indian Island, and earned his Bachelors degree in Elementary Education and a Masters of Educational Leadership at the University of Maine. Mitchell will provide sample lesson plans for teachers based on his work teaching integrated lessons.

Raney Bench has her BA in Native American Studies, and a Masters in Museum Studies; she has been working with the Wabanaki and informal education for over five years, training teachers throughout Maine to incorporate Wabanaki content into all Maine classrooms. Bench will focus on working with stereotypes of Native people, and how to address these in the classroom at all grade levels.

Limited space is available and reservations are required. For more information, or to reserve a space, contact: Raney Bench at 288-3519 ex. 16 or e-mail to educator@abbemuseum.org.

Strategic Plan; Upcoming PD; Black History Month (1/31/12)

Education Evolving: Maine’s Plan for Putting Learners First: Commissioner Bowen released a first draft of the strategic plan, “Education Evolving…” a couple of weeks ago. The plan centers on five core priority areas: Effective, Learner-Centered Instruction; Great Teachers and Leaders; Multiple Pathways for Learner Achievement; Comprehensive School and Community Support; Coordinated and Effective State Support. The current draft of the plan reflects the feedback Commissioner Bowen received during his listening tour in 2011. MDOE is welcoming feedback on the draft. If you’re interested in reading it and/or joining the online discussion, you can find details here: www.maine.gov/education/plan.

Save the Date – Financial Literacy Conference: The Maine Jump$tart Coalition will be hosting a Fostering Financial Literacy in Maine Schools Conference on Thursday, April 26, 2012 from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Augusta Civic Center. FREE classroom resources will be distributed. To request conference updates, send an email to: alyson.b.cummings@maine.gov.

Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources Summer Teacher Institute: Applications are now available for the five day institutes. There is no registration fee. Participants are responsible for travel costs to Washington, D.C., lodging, and food. For more details, visit the LOC site: http://blogs.loc.gov/teachers/2012/01/library-of-congress-teaching-with-primary-sources-summer-teacher-institute-applications-now-available/ The application deadline is February 17, 2012.

A few resources to consider for Black History Month:

Primary Source: Primary Source has put together an online guide that provides a fact for each day of Black History Month. Each fact is presented with additional links and resources for exploration. There are a wide range of topics, including: Ralph Ellison; Fugitive Slave Acts of 1793 and 1850; Michael Jordan; Hattie McDaniel; Liberia and the American Colonization Society – just to name a few. You can find the guide here: http://resources.primarysource.org/content.php?pid=184419&sid=1549792

More Than a Month: In 2010, Shukree Hassan Tilghman, an African-American filmmaker, set on a road trip to across the country on a campaign to end Black History Month. Tilghman explores Black History Month through the lenses of education, history, identity and commercialism and argues that black history should not be separate from American history. The film, though, goes beyond Black History Month and explores what it means to be an American and Tilghman’s own journey towards self discovery. PBS’s Independent Lens will be broadcasting More Than a Month on February 16 at 10 p.m. Visit http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/more-than-a-month/film.html to view a trailer and clips.

African American History Month Site: The Library of Congress, National Archives, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian, and US Holocaust Memorial Museum have joined forces to present a treasure trove of resources and information: http://www.africanamericanhistorymonth.gov/ In the “For Teachers” section you’ll find a bunch of lesson plans, collection guides, and activities from each organization – all available from one site.

Summer PD Opportunities & Social Studies Honor Society (1/24/12)

Global Exploration for Educators Organization (GEEO) Summer Professional Development Travel Programs: GEEO is a non-profit organization that specializes in trips for educators. These are not luxury trips. Their site provides itineraries and costs for the 17 travel programs that are being offered this summer to such destinations as: Morocco, Viet Nam, China, and Costa Rica. Educators are permitted to bring along a non-educator guest. For more, visit: http://www.geeo.org/.

Gilder Lehrman 2012 Summer Seminars: Gilder Lehrman is offering over 40 week-long programs this summer – everything from Native America History; Jim Crow and the Fight for American Citizenship; Economic and Financial Crises in American History; to 9/11 and America Memory. Books, room and board, and a $400 travel allowance are included. For a complete list and additional details visit: http://www.gilderlehrman.org/education/seminar_overview.php. Application deadline is February 15, 2012.

From National Council for the Social Studies - Rho Kappa Social Studies Honor Society for High School Juniors & Seniors: Rho Kappa was launched at the 91st NCSS Annual Conference in 2011. Any accredited public or private high school can apply for a local chapter, through which individuals will be inducted into Rho Kappa Honor Society. Rho Kappa provides national recognition and opportunities for exploration in the social studies. Through Rho Kappa, NCSS hopes to encourage an interest in, understanding of, and appreciation for the social studies. For more details: http://rhokappa.socialstudies.org/rhokappa/Home/?CLK=a11c92da-a3c0-405f-9f34-847159f28757.

Civics on the National Scene & Here at Home (1/17/12)

On the National Scene: U.S. Department of Education: Civic Learning and Engagement

The U.S. DOE released a report last week from the National Task Force on Civic Learning and Democratic Engagement entitled, A Crucible Moment: College Learning and Democracy’s Future. While the report focuses on higher education, it points out the need to “capitalize upon the interdependent responsibilities of K-12 and higher education.”

U.S. DOE also released a document entitled, Advancing Civic Learning and Engagement in Democracy: A Road Map and Call to Action, which advances the idea that a renewed focus on civic education should be an integral part of a well-rounded education. It asserts, “Every student in every school, college, and university deserves a high-quality education, including a high-quality civic education. Preparing all students—regardless of background or identity—for informed, engaged participation in civic and democratic life is not only essential, but also consistent with the aims of increasing student achievement and closing achievement gaps.”

In October, 2011, the Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools released a report, Guardian of Democracy: The Civic Mission of Schools, which includes several recommendations for various stakeholders (10 for local schools and administrators). It also promotes six proven practices in civic learning: Classroom Instruction; Discussion of Current Events and Controversial Issues; Service-Learning; Extracurricular Activities; Student Participation in School Governance; Simulation of Democratic Processes.

Perhaps these reports, coupled with a renewed interest at the national level on a well-rounded education, will help to elevate the teaching and learning of social studies? Stay tuned.

Visit the U.S. DOE page for links to all of these reports: http://www.ed.gov/civic-learning

Here at Home: Clarification of SAU Responsibility to Teach Civics

Below is the text of Administrative Letter #72 that was posted in December, 2011, in the Maine DOE Newsroom:

The purpose of this letter is to clarify the requirements of LD 1211 (Public Law Chapter 294), An Act to Include Civics in the Social Studies and History Courses Required for a High School Diploma, passed by the Legislature this past session.

As a result of the legislation, Title 20-A MRSA §4722, sub-§2, ¶B was amended to require the teaching of civics as part of the required course of study for social studies and history before graduation from high school. The law does not require that civics be taught as a separate course in high school. However, it does require that civics be included in the required course of study for social studies and history for all students at the secondary level. Each school administrative unit can make its own decision of whether to teach civics in a separate course or integrate it into other social studies and history courses.

Please note: The Maine Learning Results: Parameters for Essential Instruction call for instruction of civics and government at all grade spans.

Posted January 10, 2012 (1/10/12)

NEW! Social Studies Community Group

In last week’s ListServ post, I asked those of you that were interested in brainstorming or sharing ideas on how to get social studies back on the front burner to be in touch. Thanks to those of you that have already expressed interest!

If you haven’t yet contacted me, but are interested in joining this group, contact me directly at kristie.littlefield@maine.gov and/or phone: 624-6828. I will be in touch with group members next week with more details.

National Endowment for the Humanities – Summer Programs

NEH offers a variety of professional development opportunities for K-12 teachers through their Landmarks of American History and Culture workshops and Summer Seminars and Institutes for School Teachers. Stipends are provided to help cover costs. For a complete list of the 2012 summer programs, visit: http://www.neh.gov/projects/summer12.html.

The application deadline is March 1, 2012.

Maine International Center for Digital Learning

A professional learning opportunity for middle level teachers - join a collaborative project focused on best practices for supporting students with internet research. For more information, check out the flier.

Maine Council for the Social Studies Jan./Feb. Newsletter

Here’s a link to the latest MCSS Newsletter (PDF | MS Word) that is FULL of information regarding upcoming conferences, grant opportunities, student competitions, and teaching resources. If you have not already signed up for the MCSS newsletter and would like to, send an email request to: mainesocialstudies@gmail.com

Survey Results & National Standards in Social Studies (1/2/12)

Survey Says…

A few things leaped off the pages of the Social Studies Teacher Survey results. Many of the 500+ participants reported feeling that our content area has been relegated to the sidelines when compared to ongoing English Language Arts and STEM initiatives. Many of you cited the lack of any formal statewide social studies assessment and NCLB as part of the reason why social studies finds itself on the back burner. A common concern reported by social studies teachers is a feeling of marginalization. Thank you, again, for taking the time to complete the survey and please know that your thoughts and concerns have been heard. Adding your many voices to mine will help tremendously as we continue to advocate for social studies education.

When asked what challenges you encounter when teaching social studies, the #1 response (with 79.2%) was “not enough time to cover material and/or curriculum”. That challenge was followed by 42.8% of you indicating “availability of resources” as a difficulty. Many respondents wrote additional comments that further explained some of the challenges social studies teachers in Maine are facing: several reported a decline in the number of required social studies credits at the high school level; students pulled out of your classes for more instructional time in ELA and/or math; and the desire for a more defined curriculum.

“Classroom Resources” and information about “Professional Development Opportunities” were selected as the top two items you would like to find on the MDOE website. A large number also expressed interest in sharing and gathering information from other social studies teachers across Maine.

Now, where do we go from here? To start, I think it is important for us all to recognize that, as challenging as these educational times are and have been for social studies, our passion for the content area has not diminished. In fact, I’d argue that there has never been a more critical time for the teaching and learning of social studies – not only in Maine, but across the country. As many of you pointed out, social studies is essential in developing well-rounded, informed, critical-thinking students that are prepared for college, career, and civic life.

So, how do we begin to address the need and desire for elevating our content area? I don’t have a silver bullet solution, yet do have some ideas on how we might begin to work towards overcoming the challenges faced by social studies teachers. The survey results drive home how essential it is that we, as a social studies community, come together. I would like to invite those of you that are interested in brainstorming or sharing ideas on how to get social studies back on the front burner, to contact me directly at: kristie.littlefield@maine.gov and/or phone: 624-6828.

In the short term, I will continue to utilize this ListServ as a way to communicate with you about resources, professional development opportunities, and other social studies news. Please continue to be in touch with thoughts, resources, and ideas.

National Standards in Social Studies

Maine is a member of the Social Studies Assessment, Curriculum, and Instruction (SSACI) Collaborative of the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO). Work is underway on a shared set of national standards. A draft of the standards is currently scheduled to be released for public review by summer. I will be attending the next SSACI meeting scheduled for early February and will update you as more information becomes available.

Posted December 20, 2011 (12/20/11)

THANK YOU!

My sincere thanks go out to the 500+ of you that completed the Social Studies Survey. I look forward to reading each response over the next couple of weeks and will share the general results with you soon. If you didn’t have a chance to respond to the survey, please email me directly (kristie.littlefield@maine.gov) and I’ll share the questions with you so you can add your 2 cents!

National Geographic Education

National Geographic has recently launched a new site, Nat Geo Education (Beta). They are working to beef up their available teaching resources and you may want to take a look. MapMaker Interactive provides tools for creating customized maps and there are a variety of downloadable maps available as well. I think you’ll find it worth playing around with. Beyond maps, they are working to upload “Collections” which compile National Geographic content and various resources about a particular topic. Under the “Teaching Resources” tab you’ll also find a rather extensive collection of graphic organizers. The folks at National Geographic will continue to be adding resources – this will probably be a good site to bookmark and check often.

Nat Geo Education: http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/?ar_a=1

Still a few slots open for the Maine Content Literacy Project’s Content Literacy Network

Join the online professional learning network focused on literacy in social studies. This opportunity is open to a limited number of grades 4-12 educators. There is no cost. The group will conduct four virtual meetings, from January – April, 2012 where participants will explore how to utilize literacy strategies to increase student understanding in social studies.

More details and an application form are available online at: http://www.maine.gov/education/lres/ss/documents/content-network-social-studies-flyer.pdf.

C-SPAN StudentCam

C-SPAN's StudentCam is an annual national video documentary competition that encourages students to think seriously about issues that affect our communities and our nation. Students are asked to create a short (5-8 minute) video documentary on a topic related to the competition theme "The Constitution and You." Documentary may focus on any section of the Preamble, Articles, or Amendments of the U.S. Constitution.

Maximum award: $5,000, plus $1,000 in digital equipment for school. Eligibility: individuals or teams of two to three students grades 6-8 or grades 9- 12.

Deadline: January 20, 2012

http://www.studentcam.org/

WISHING YOU A WONDERFUL VACATION!

Important Survey (11/22/11)

Be Heard! Please take a few minutes and participate in a short online survey about the teaching of social studies in Maine. Your opinion counts! The results of this survey will help determine future professional development opportunities. Please pass this along to all of your social studies colleagues. Your knowledge, time, and efforts are much appreciated!

2011 Social Studies Teachers Survey link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/socialstudies2011.

Stay Connected! (10/6/11)

I encourage you to subscribe to the Commissioner’s Updates and the newsletter distributed by the Maine Council for the Social Studies. See information below.

MDOE Commissioner’s Update

To streamline the many communications from the Maine Department of Education, the Department has developed a weekly Commissioner’s Update that includes official correspondence, press releases, reporting requirements, news and information designed for superintendents, business managers, administrators and teachers, and available by subscription to anyone.

Some examples from recent weeks include: news from the field on standards-based classrooms, the Commissioner’s thoughts and information on NCLB flexibility, professional development opportunities and much more. (Please note the Commissioner’s Update takes the place of the Administrative Letters and Informational Letters of past practice. This is the only way to receive updates on requirements, policy changes, and forms and other reporting requirements that are due.) Subscribe to the Commissioner’s Update

Maine Council for the Social Studies Newsletter

To subscribe to the Maine Council for the Social Studies (MCSS) newsletter, send an email request to: mainesocialstudies@gmail.com and type "subscribe" in the subject line. The newsletter provides timely information about professional development opportunities, events, programs, and teaching resources from a variety of organizations.

Fall Conferences (9/20/11)

A few upcoming conferences for your consideration! See below for information regarding the Penobscot Nation’s “Teach the Teachers” workshops, the Maine Council for the Social Studies conference, “Think Globally, Teach Locally: Methods and Strategies to Make Your Teaching More Effective” and the Blaine House Conference on Volunteerism and Service (includes sessions on service-learning).

Penobscot Nation Hosts Fifth Annual “Teach the Teachers” Workshops

Maine K-12 educators and pre-service educators have a special opportunity to learn about Maine Indians. The 5th Annual “Teach the Teachers” series is being hosted by the Penobscot Nation’s Cultural & Historic Preservation Department on four select days in October on Indian Island.

Monday October 3rd

Tuesday October 11th

Wednesday October 19th

Thursday October 27th

The workshops are designed to assist Maine educators with incorporating Maine Indian history and culture into their classrooms, to identify historically accurate and culturally appropriate classroom resources, and to help foster a continuing relationship between Maine educators and the Penobscot Cultural and Historic Preservation Department. This year we will be looking at subject matter on all grade levels including a presentation on Tribal Sovereignty by Dr. Darren Ranco.

Since 2005, Maine educators K-12 have been required by Maine law to include Maine Indian history and culture in their classrooms. The Maine Indian History and Culture Law, commonly referred to by its 2002 legislative document number, LD291, was presented as a bill to the 122nd legislature by former Penobscot tribal representative, Donna Loring who recognized a need for Mainers to become better educated about the indigenous people of the state. Loring states that “with knowledge, comes understanding, and with understanding, comes respect.”
The Penobscot Nation Cultural and Historic Preservation Department has been at the forefront since the bill’s inception, providing educational resources, curriculum, classroom presentations, and teacher professional development workshops. The workshop fee is $35.00 per person and includes lunch and a copy of the DVD “Penobscot: A People and Their River”. Pre-registration is required as space is limited. Visit www.penobscotculture.com to register. For more information, call 817-7472.

Maine Council for the Social Studies Conference

Registration is now open for the 2011 Maine Council for the Social Studies Conference: Think Globally, Teach Locally: Methods and Strategies to Make Your Teaching More Effective
To accommodate teachers from southern and northern Maine, the conference will be held in two locations on different dates.

Friday, November 4th at USM, Wishcamper Center, Portland

Monday, November 7th at Morgan Hill Event Center, Hermon

The conference fee is $50 ($25 for pre-service teachers). Six contact hours will be awarded. Due to space limitations, attendance will be capped at 100 for Portland and 125 for Hermon.
Here are the conference breakout session titles and intended grade levels:

Using Maine Memory with a Focus on Elementary-age Students (K-5)

The Virtual Field Trip: Making Use of Historic Resources Beyond the Classroom (K-12)

Using Biography in the K-12 Classroom (K-12)

It’s Not about Time: Teaching Social Studies as Current Events - and Vice Versa (3-12)

Sharing History Outside the Classroom: How to Get Started with a Community History Project 3-12)

Reexamining Primary Sources (7-12)

A Story is Told in a Hundred Different Ways (7-12)

Habits of Mind: Teaching Social Studies Methods by Participating in National History Day (7-12)

To access the conference session descriptions and on-line registration form, please go to www.memun.org/mcss and click on the respective links.

For payment purposes, please note that the MCSS address has changed to: P.O. Box 2211, South Portland, ME 04116.

Please e-mail mainesocialstudies@gmail.com with any questions.

Blaine House Conference on Volunteerism & Service

This October's Blaine House Conference on Volunteerism & Service in Orono will feature a number of national presenters offering sessions on service-learning for teachers and staff.

Susan Abravanel from Youth Service America (YSA) will present two sessions on service-learning: one on Semester of Service which is akin to independent study at the high school level and the other on meeting community needs through service-learning.

GenerationOn's Shammara Wright will present a workshop on combating childhood obesity through service-learning. Her colleague, Laura Rog, will focus on service-learning in After-School programs. In total, there will be six workshops to pick from for Service-learning practitioners and community programs interested in partnering with schools.

Click here for agenda information and to register today! The conference is Tuesday, October 11 at University of Maine in Orono.

Discounts are available for service-learning practitioners. For more information, email service.commission@maine.gov or call (207)624-6231.

Week of Heroes and Constitution Day (9/2/11)

Maine Week of Heroes Observance

A reminder that Maine Week of Heroes will be observed from Sunday, September 11, through Saturday, September 17, 2011. This is an excellent opportunity to highlight the heroic people that live and work in our communities and to emphasize the importance of being active and engaged citizens.

Title 1 §146 Maine Week of Heroes reads:

“Each political subdivision and school administrative unit is encouraged to observe a Maine Week of Heroes during the week, commencing on a Sunday and ending on the next following Saturday, within which September 11th occurs. The observance may include public proclamations, appropriate ceremonies and the introduction of curricula in school systems recognizing the efforts of heroic people in Maine communities, such as active duty military personnel, emergency medical technicians, firefighters, law enforcement officers, members of the National Guard, members of the United States Coast Guard, United States military veterans and all other heroes who have given their courageous service without regard for their own lives or personal safety to benefit the people of this great land and to serve the needs of the citizens of the State.”

Constitution Day Resources

September 17th is Constitution Day, established by Congress in 2004 to recognize the signing of the U.S. Constitution in 1787. By law, all educational institutions receiving federal funding must observe Constitution Day. Some resources that should help in your planning:

National Constitution Center: http://constitutioncenter.org/ncc_progs_Constitution_Day.aspx

The National Constitution Center is offering a free webcast all day on Friday, September 16, Constitution Hall Pass: Freedom of Expression. Plenty of other resources too, including a “To Sign or Not to Sign” lesson plan and Bill of Rights game.

Bill of Rights Institute: http://www.billofrightsinstitute.org/page.aspx?pid=593

The Bill of Rights Institute offers several interactive experiences such as the “Constitution Duel” quiz and a bunch of lesson plans, including “Bill of Rights in the News.”

National Archives: http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/constitution-day/

Great list of activities and lesson plans from the National Archives ranging from a one class period activity designed to simulate how the Constitutional Convention delegates grappled with their task to an online version of their U.S. Constitution Workshop which includes analysis of primary source documents.

iCivics: http://www.icivics.org/teachers

Several engaging lesson plans, web quests, and games; the site was initiated by Justice Sandra Day O’Connor and targets grades 6-8.

Center for Civic Education: http://new.civiced.org/resources/curriculum/constitution-day-and-citizenship-day

Includes lessons for all grade levels, K-12

A few children’s books to consider:

We the Kids: The Preamble to the Constitution of the United States by David Catrow, 2002: Dial Books

Shh! We're Writing the Constitutionby Jean Fritz, Tomie dePaola , 1998: Putnam Publishing Group

If You Were There When They Signed the Constitution by Elizabeth Levy, Joan Holub, 1992: Scholastic

September 11 Resources (8/25/11)

We are approaching the 10th anniversary of the events of September 11, 2001. A quick web search will provide a staggering number of resources. Below are a few that you may find useful:

September 11: Teaching Contemporary History: ttp://smithsonianconference.org/september11/

Recordings from an online conference held in early August regarding available resources and strategies for teaching; hosted by the National Museum of American History, National September 11 Memorial & Museum, Pentagon Memorial Fund, and Flight 93 National Memorial.

The September 11 Digital Archive: http://911digitalarchive.org/index.php

A rich resource of digital primary sources and a handy guide to other September 11 websites.

Elizabeth Schaefer on the Impact of 9/11 in the Classroom: http://teachinghistory.org/nhec-blog/24274

An interesting approach in utilizing September 11 as a lens to introduce students to the study of history.

US Dept. of Education:

ttp://www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/History_American/September11.shtml

Information about September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance.

Introduction (8/25/11)

Greetings! I would like to introduce myself…my name is Kristie Littlefield and I am happy to report that I am the new Social Studies Specialist at the MDOE. New as in this is my first week. I have spent the last 3 years traveling the state working with teachers and communities on the Maine Community Heritage Project and prior to that spent a dozen years in the trenches teaching both middle and high school social studies.

One of my many goals over the next few months is to continue to use this ListServ to convey relative and helpful information.   Peter Bernard and I will also be working to beef up the current MDOE Social Studies website. I would love to hear and learn from you! If you have any ideas to share, suggestions to make, or questions to ask, please be in touch. I’m here to help.

You can reach me directly via email: Kristie.littlefield@maine.gov or via phone: (207) 624-6828.
Wishing you a smooth start to the school year! - Kristie

Social Studies Information

contact information:

Learning results Information

Social Studies News and Updates

Stay up to date on news, information, and events:

Social Studies news from the MDOE Newsroom

Social Studies ListServ

Recent postings from Kristie Littlefield, Social Studies Specialist at the Maine Department of Education