As we prepare for spring testing, just a reminder that Pearson/KDE released KSA items from the KSA for Social Studies. You can find links to the Practice Tests and 2022 KSA Released Items materials on our State Assessment page, along with other information for preparing for the KSA.

• 2020 Practice Tests - Demonstrated within TestNav, this can help students become familiar with test structure and technology used for KSA.

• Spring 2022 Released Items - Items can be helpful for test structure and skill practice for stand alone and cluster set items. Included are the released items, standards alignment, and several options for viewing students responses including the Anchor Set, Practice Set, and Qualifications Set.

• Check out C-Span Classroom for sources to help with inquiry with current connections and relevant sources. You can find Campaign 2024 resources along with a downloadable PDF for Electoral College information. 

• Check out the StudentCam video documentary competition as an idea for Taking Informed Action. 

Join our Mikva learning sessions throughout the year to learn more about implementing the JCPS Civic Dispositions and civic engagement in your classroom. Learn more about Mikva and to see some awesome student Soapbox submissions on our Action Page. 

Upcoming Events!

•  4.19 - Mikva Cohort 4:30-6:00 pm
  Join us for next steps for implementing Issues to Action.

See the Upcoming PD Page or Vector for more information on PD opportunities.

Check out these great virtual learning opportunities with DBQ!

• DBQ 1.0: This introductory workshop is designed for teachers new to the DBQ pedagogy. The course includes an overview of The DBQ Project 6-Step Method and the major features of DBQ Online. Teachers experience all the steps in a lively, interactive session. Special emphasis will be placed on differentiating the process to meet the needs of all learners and utilizing the gradual-release model for document analysis. The goal of the workshop is for all participants to leave enthusiastically ready to implement a DBQ in their classrooms.

• DBQ 2.0: These sessions are open to participants who have attended an introductory DBQ session and have implemented DBQs in their classroom. Similar to a conference style menu, participants can attend 90-min sessions on a variety of strategies to advance the work. Sessions topics are repeated to accommodate time zones. 

• DBQ Lead Boot Camp: Become a certified lead for your school or district. This four day session is for lead teachers, instructional coaches, as well as enthusiastic educators looking to become a Certified DBQ Lead at their site. As a DBQ Lead, you will be able to support teachers in using The DBQ Project resources.

Register using linked documents. Contact Rebecca Ingram for PL Credit. 

July 13 & 14 Meyzeek Middle School

Join the Mikva Leadership Team in attending the Mikva Summer Institute July 13-14th at Meyzeek Middle School! Learn more about supporting the development of civically engaged citizens through using the Mikva Curriculum. Support students taking informed action through the Soapbox, Issues to Action, or Student Voice Committees. Learn more about Mikva and to see some awesome student Soapbox submissions on our Action Page.

Sign up Here to join us for the Mikva Summer Institute by Monday, May 1st. 

JCPS Attendees will have the option to request professional learning credit upon completion and submission of a conference reflection and conference certificate. Hours to be determined.

Hosted by the Center for K-12 Black History and Racial Literacy Education

July 21, 22, 23 - Virtual Conference  8:00 am - 4:00 pm each day
JCPS SPONSORED REGISTRATION FOR FIRST 10 TEACHERS!

Each year, the conference convenes hundreds of teachers to learn the best curricular and instructional practices surrounding Black history education. They will have featured speakers and entertainment, but the stars of the conference are their teachers. Each conference session is led by a classroom teacher who shares their Black history strategies. The sessions are interactive, so participants will have hands-on experiences to bring to their classrooms.

The 2023 conference theme is The Sounds of Blackness, Hip Hop Turns 50.

The connection of hip hop, its culture, and its relation to pedagogy are useful in Black history education. Black history is not simply teaching about skin color; it's more complex than that. It explores Black people's humanity, including their history of oppression, agency, emotions, inter and intra contentions, Diasporic similarities and differences, social histories, and futures. Like Black history education, hip-hop education is about the consciousness-raising of society that is often left to the margins. Hip hop is Black history, and we look forward to bringing together hundreds of educators worldwide to learn about Black history and hip-hop intersects.  

JCPS Attendees will have the option to request professional learning credit upon completion and submission of a conference reflection and conference certificate. Hours to be determined.

Rebecca Ingram will send instructions for professional leave forms, registration, and learning credit at later dates.

Please email Rebecca Ingram if you have any questions.

Sign up Here to reserve your sponsored registration by Monday, May 1, 2023.

SAVE THE DATE!! 

July 17, 18, 19

JCPS Social Studies will be hosting their annual Inquiry Bootcamp July 17, 18, 19 at Marion C. Moore School. The Bootcamp is a great way to jumpstart your learning about inquiry, dive deeper into the elements of inquiry, and begin planning for the year.

More information to come in May!

DATES NOW AVAILABLE FOR SUMMER!

Hosted by UK in partnership with the Jewish Heritage Fund, teachers looking to build skills in teaching the Holocaust and related content are invited to register for spring 2023 workshops. Workshops are interactive and include 10 total hours of content through both live workshop sessions (6 hours) and asynchronous activities (4 hours). Workshops are available both in-person and virtually via Zoom. Some workshops occur over multiple days while others are one-day events. 

Teachers, para-educators, librarians, and other instructional staff serving grades 6-12 can opt to participate for a stipend of $250 OR for professional learning hours, not both. Stipends are limited and will be awarded based on order of registration. 

Workshops will be facilitated by experienced teachers from across the Commonwealth, including several JCPS teachers, trained as UK-JHF Initiative teacher leaders and well as UK professors from the College of Arts & Sciences and Education. Each workshop will vary slightly and will explore a range of topics. 

JCPS Social Studies will be sponsoring 10 hours of PL credit for attending any of these events. Contact Rebecca Ingram for more information to request PL credit.

Click here for more information and to register today!

Hosted by Center for Civic Education
James Madison Legacy Project Expansion Program professional development includes 52 hours of high-quality interactive sessions for middle and high school educators in a professional learning community led by mentor teachers. Educators will gain new content and pedagogies that will invigorate students' engagement in civics and constitutional democracy while supporting social and emotional learning goals. 

Click Here for flyer with more information. 

Contact Glenn Manns, Kentucky We the People Coordinator with questions.

The Kentucky Historical Society is now accepting proposals for this year’s Kentucky History Education Conference on Thursday, July 13, 2023! This year’s conference will be in person with a virtual track of sessions available. We are looking forward to a stimulating day of history themed sessions, activities, conversations, and fun.

KHS is accepting session proposals through Friday, April 14. Presenters receive free conference registration. To submit a proposal, visit the KHS website.

Registration and vendor information will be available soon! If you have any questions, contact katie.turer@ky.gov.