Sunday, November 22, 2009

Social Studies - High School PLC

The Social Studies Professional Learning Community (PLC) at the state Social Studies Conference.

NCSSC

Kart Campbell addresses the Social Studies PLC at a Social Studies workshop. Karl has recently published a book about Senator Sam Irving's life.

Karl Campbell

More pictures

County Representative
Alexander Natasha Haas
Alleghany  
Ashe  
Avery Dan Fortune
Burke Traci Beck Stallings & Andrew Guier
Caldwell  
Watauga Laura Gordon
Wilkes  
ASU Jan Rienerth & Sandra Oldendorf

If you are a high school Social Studies teacher in Alleghany County and you would be interested in representing your school system by serving on this committee, please let us know. We welcome your comments and suggestions. Please contact us. If you have ideas concerning staff development that you would like to see offered, please let us know. We look forward to hearing from you.

Meetings

See the Calendar for upcoming meeting times.

Projects and Accomplishments

Resources

Economic Workshops

2007-2008

  • The HS SS PLC conducted a seminar / workshop for Partnership teachers. Michelle McLaughlin, NC DPI Social Studies Consultant, led the morning, whole-group session about Concept-Based Instruction. Dr. Karl Campbell was our luncheon speaker discussing his new book about Senator Sam Ervin. Teachers attended one of two afternoon break-out sessions. One session was on the Guilded Age and the Progressive Era led by Dr. Michael Krenn, ASU History Department Chair. The other session was led by Beth Eckstein, East Carolina University Center for Economic Education, and Steven Day, Raleigh Charter High School, on Personal Financial Literacy. The day began with a welcome from Dr. Charlie Duke, Dean of the RCOE. A deli-bar luncheon was prepared by the Broyhill. Teachers received “goodie bags” containing a variety of items including snacks. Coffee and tea were available all day. Teachers who attended the PFL session received a DVD from the National Council of Economic Education and the North Carolina Council of Economic Education entitled “Financing Your Future” which included lesson plans and videos.
  • Each of the thirteen high schools that were represented at the workshop received a copy of Dr. Campbell’s book to place in their school’s library. Twelve other copies of the book were distributed to lucky recipients of door prizes. The room was decorated with a "Saint Patrick's Day" theme.
  • Meeting Wizard was utilized to set meeting dates, times, and places.
  • Becky Griffith was elected to the North Carolina Council for the Social Studies Board of Directors for a three Year term.
  • Lynne Mansure was our guest speaker. She has spent the last 40 years in Kenya. She was at ASU Fall semester 2007 teaching French.
  • Several committee members attended the NC Department of Public Instruction’s Personal Financial Literacy workshops held in various locations around the state.
  • Avery County High School hosted a Personal Financial Literacy live Video-Conference from NC DPI in the distance learning lab.Teachers from Watauga attended.
  • Becky Griffith and Sandra Oldendorf attended the National Council for the Social Studies annual conference in San Diego, California in November 2007. Sandra conducted a presentation and Becky was a North Carolina representative to the House of Delegates.
  • Myra Pennell, David Johnson, and Becky Griffith attended the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction’s Fall Social Studies Supervisors’ Conference in Raleigh in September 2007.
  • The whole committee presented a session at the North Carolina Council for the Social Studies annual conference in Greensboro in February 2008. Sandra Oldendorf also presented a session on teaching religion and David Considine and Laura Gordon presented on media-literacy at the conference.
  • Many discussions were held concerning textbook adoption. Several committee members attended the NC DPI Caravan textbook presentation at the Broyhill Inn.
  • Dr. David Considine met with the SS PLC on several occasions to discuss and to get input on the media-literacy workshop, “Democracy, Diversity & The Media”, to be held in the summer of 2008.
  • Becky Griffith and Marc Gamble were asked to be master teachers for the NEH Grant that Dr. Neva Specht received to hold two week-long seminars on the Blue Ridge Parkway in summer 2008.
  • These are part of the Landmarks of American History Grant program to study history through place.
  • Judy Geary, ASU adjunct Professor, teaching courses in “Small Groups” in the Communications Department, visited and observed our SS PLC.
  • Jan Rienerth authored and had published in the NCCSS TarHeel Journal a wonderful article about public school and university partnerships which featured our Social Studies PLC.
  • The committee discussed the NC DPI Concept Based Instruction lessons initiative. The lessons are prepared based on the work of Dr. Lynn Erickson and her book, "Concept Based Curriculum and Instruction for the Thinking Classroom".
  • Dr. Dawn Medlin presented information on a interactive module based project related to Personal Financial Literacy. The goal is to teach PFL through technology.
  • Abundant grant opportunities, materials, and resources were shared among members.

2005-2006

  • Regular monthly meetings
  • Networking opportunities
  • Camaraderie and fellowship with end-of-semester (December and May) dinners at local restaurants
  • Sharing of methodologies / pedagogy
  • Attendance at the North Carolina Council for the Social Studies Annual Conference in February 2006
  • Advocates for the teaching of Social Studies in the High Country
  • Sandra Oldendorf and Becky Griffith attended the National Council for the Social Studies Annual Conference in Kansas City in November 2005
  • Becky Griffith served as a North Carolina representative to the NCSS House of Delegates in Kansas City
  • Sharing resources, websites, current events information, book reviews
  • Discussion and sharing concerning Social Studies related AP courses and Distance Learning courses
  • Encouragement and materials to join the North Carolina Council for the Social Studies, the National Council for the Social Studies, the North Carolina Council for Economic Education, and the Global Association of the Teachers of Economics
  • Information disseminated on area programs and events related to the Social Sciences
  • Discussions concerning the Social Studies End of Course Testing and upcoming exit requirements for the class of 2010
  • Discussions concerning the North Carolina Social Studies Standard Course of Study
  • Discussions concerning the marginalization of Social Studies in the early and middle grades
  • Discussions, support, and trouble-shooting for Social Studies student teachers and interns
  • Follow up with Social Studies student teachers after they enter the professional field
  • Sandra Oldendorf / Vice-Chair of the National Council for the Social Studies Curriculum Committee
  • Myra Pennell, David Johnson, and Sandra Oldendorf / North Carolina Council for the Social Studies University Professors’ Organization (exact name?)
  • Meredith Parks and Jan Rienerth / Presented Sociology staff development workshops at NCCSS annual conference and in Cumberland County
  • Sandra Oldendorf presented at the NCCSS annual conference
  • Erin Johnston presented at the NCCSS annual conference
  • Meredith Parks and Jan Rienerth are State Representatives to the High School Sociology Task Force
  • Marc Gamble and Becky Griffith embarked on a co-teaching experiment with Sandra Oldendorf for CI3100 “Social Studies Methods” / This resulted in a presentation at the Professional Development Schools Annual Conference in Orlando, Florida in March 2006
  • Becky Griffith was elected Recording Secretary to the North Carolina Council of Social Studies Board of Directors in February 2006 / Social Studies Focus Group members were campaign staff
  • Much discussion as to the best method for bringing ASU into the North Carolina Council for Economic Education as a “Center for Economic Education”
  • Erin Johnston traveled with the National Council of Economic Education’ Training of Writers Program to Romania in September 2005
  • Becky Griffith traveled with the National Council of Economic Education on a study tour to Russia in April 2006
  • Lesson plans and Power Points were posted on the ASU Public School Partnership Social Studies Focus Group website to be shared with other teachers in the ASU PSP
  • Economics Staff Development Workshop for ASU Interns and Student Teachers and public school teachers in November 2005 / Incorporated the North Carolina Council for Economic Education (Shoffner), ASU Professors (McRae, Cherry, Whitehead), and public school teacher (Johnston) into the instruction / over 80 participants from all 8 ASU PSP counties
  • Reports from Dorethea Martin and David Johnson about the Southeast World History Association (SEWHA) which will hold its conference at ASU in October 2006
  • David Johnson, assisted by Rebecca Mathis, held a lesson plan contest in connection with SEWHA
  • Becky Griffith reported on her experiences with the Inaugural Justice Teaching Institute in October 2005
  • Surveys taken at workshops / Survey results evaluated and used to improve future staff development opportunities
  • Discussions and shared ideas concerning the Federally mandated teaching of the Constitution on “Constitution Day”
  • Shared experiences concerning “Close-Up Day”
  • Proposal written, submitted, and accepted for the Social Studies Focus Group to present at the National Council for the Social Studies Annual Conference in Washington, D.C. in December 2006
  • Myra Pennell, Sandra Oldendorf, and Jan Rienerth all published in The Tarheel News / NCCSS publication
  • Discussions and ideas discussed concerning the State mandated 10th grade Writing Test and accountability for writing across the curriculum
  • Discussion and ideas discussed for “Credit Recovery” programs
  • Hosted Dr. Jeff Passe, President of the National Council for the Social Studies / toured Ashe County High School / attended Social Studies Focus Group to discuss the current state of Social Studies in the United States and what we can do locally to promote positive change / enjoyed meal and fellowship together
  • Members serve as conduits “to take” and “to bring back” messages to both the State and the National level officials in professional organizations and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) and the Technical Outreach for the Public Schools (TOPS)