August 2016

Social Studies Professional Development at OCM BOCES

Our dates have been set, the rooms reserved, and the information is up on MyLearningPlan. All  that remains that you sign up and show up! Here is what we have scheduled for 2016-2017.

• Social Studies Leadership Network Monthly Meetings
  November 17, February 2,  and June 1
  This network of Social Studies leadership will meet to serve as a conduit for information, learning and discussion about the New York State K-12 Social Studies Framework, assessments, and best practices in Social Studies classrooms. Social Studies teacher leaders and administrators will work collaboratively to expand their own knowledge and expertise, and, in turn, provide leadership to their own schools and districts. Participants will receive resources for in-district turnkey purposes and share their expertise and ideas.

• Social Studies Collaboratives (formerly know as Curriculum Follow-Up Sessions)
  September 28, November 30, February 15, April 26, and May 31
  These facilitated sessions are for K-12 teachers and administrators who participated in the Summer 2015 and Summer 2016 Social Studies Curriculum Work (5th-8th grade from last summer, K-4th and 9th-12th this summer) to continue the process of curriculum mapping, unit design and lesson development. Participants will receive resources and support for continuing development of instructional units and lessons. Participants may sign up for a single session or for multiple sessions, as desired.

• Social Studies Content Support for Ninth Grade Global Teachers
  November 2 and January 18
  What do teachers of 9th Grade Global History need to know about the content and the Social Studies Practices to help their students succeed? What has changed in the NYS Social Studies Framework for 9th Grade Global History and what has stayed the same? What kinds of thinking do students need to do? Dr. John Langdon, professor of history at Le Moyne College and member of the NYSED Content Advisory Panel, will help participants prioritize the Key Ideas in the 9th Grade Framework, and explore sources that are essential for students' understanding of the concepts and connections of Global History. Participants will have the opportunity to share information, resources and instructional practices. Participants may sign up for a single session or for both sessions, as desired. Different Key Ideas will be explored in each session.

• Good Practices in Geography
  October 20
  Geographic Reasoning is one of six Social Studies Practices that are emphasized in the NYS Social Studies Framework, but Geographic Reasoning involves more than reading a map. In this interactive workshop, participants will learn how to be more successful in connecting geography to their curriculum in middle school social studies, Global History and Geography, and American History. Lessons will be presented that are appropriate for middle and high school students, and teachers will have time to work with colleagues to come up with their own lesson ideas. Materials and resources will be provided including Clickable PDF maps, GeoHistoGrams, and other tools.

Local Opportunities

If you are looking for something to do on your own or with your family, don’t forget the opportunities we have right here in central New York!

• The Onondaga Historical Association is open for visitors Wednesday – Friday from 10am to 4pm and on Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 4pm. Find more information here. On August 13 from 10am to 11:30am, OHA’s Dennis Connors will lead a Franklin Square Walking Tour. Pre-registration is required. Call Karen at 428-1864 extension 312 to register.
• The Skä•noñh – Great Law of Peace Center is a Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Heritage Center focused on telling the story of the native peoples of central New York. The history is told through the lens of the Onondaga Nation and covers topics such as Creation, European Contact, The Great Law of Peace, and more. The Onondagas, or People of the Hills, are the keepers of the Central Fire and are the spiritual and political center of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. The site also includes the Saint Marie de Gannentaha Mission Site Museum. The site is open Wednesday through Friday from 10am to 4pm and on Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 4pm. Tours are self-guided or by appointment. Visit the website here.
• The Seward House Museum is open for visitors Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm and Sundays from 1pm to 5pm, through August. Check the Events Calendar for Specialty Tours and other events,
• Low bridge! Everybody down! Visit the Erie Canal at the Erie Canal Museum in downtown Syracuse, the Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum in Chittenango, or the Camillus Erie Canal Park in Camillus.
• In Cortland County check out the CNY Living History Center, the 1890 House Museum and the Cortland County Historical Society Suggett House Museum.
• And in case that’s not enough did you know that the National Park Service operates 22 National Parks in New York State? Find out more here!

Online Resources of the Month:
New Visions Curriculum

In July, high school teachers from several districts came to OCM BOCES to work on curriculum mapping, unit design and lesson development. Many of them found these resources helpful in designing or revamping their curricular materials. The teachers agreed that the resources are very helpful, but that they need to be reviewed and adapted to make sure they work with teacher, school and district expectations. Find the Global History Curriculum materials here. The US History Curriculum materials are here.

Indubitable (and Absolutely) Inexorable Shameless Plug of the Month: The Social Studies Blog

If you haven’t yet read the monthly blog that offers thoughts on teaching and learning of all things social studies, you need to remedy that situation!! It is only one of the excellent blogs that are posted by the staff of OCM BOCES Instructional Support. Check out all of the blogs here. The Social Studies blog is posted here.