Social Studies: Central to the

Mission of Public Education

The National Council for the Social Studies defines social studies as "the integrated study of the social sciences and humanities to promote civic competence." For students to become fully empowered participants in democracy, attention must be paid to this "civic competence." The social studies -- including history, geography, economics, political science, sociology, psychology, anthropology -- are central to the mission of public schools.

With your help and input this site will be kept up-to-date and reflect the best resources for social studies in our state.

Current Events:

ELEMENTARY SOCIAL STUDIES CORE REVISION
The revision of the core curriculum for elementary grades 3-6 is now complete and has been approveed by the Board of Education. 2008 Core for Grades 3 - 6

DIALOGUE ON DEMOCRACY

The 5th annual Dialogue on Democracy will be held on Thursday. October 23, 2008. Events include:

Teacher Workshop: 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., (with lunch at noon) at the Alumni Hous, University of Utah Campus. Dr. Dan Jones will be the presenter.

Student Workshop: 12:30 p.m. -2:30 p.m., (with lunch at noon) at the Alumni House, University of Utah Campus. Dr. Dan Jones will be the presenter.

Dialogue on Democracy Community Dinner: 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., Little America, Salt Lake City, Utah. Lt. General Brent Scowcroft will be the Keynote Speaker.

SATURDAY HSITORY SEMINAR

The Saturday History Seminar will be held on Saturday, October 25, 2008. It will be held at Mount Jordan Middle School (9360 South 300 East) in Sandy. Featured Presenters and topics will include:

  • Dr. Ronald Coleman -African American Experience in Utah
  • Forrest Cuch -Native Americans today
  • Bryan Cannon -Africa in the 20 and 21st centuries
  • Pam Su'a -After the Wall: Germany today
  • Joanna and Stephanie Seeley -3rd grade Social Studies Standard II
  • other notable speakers and presenters

Please view the program for the Saturday History Seminar

LATEST SOCIAL STUDIES NEWSLETTER is where you will find the most up-to-date social studies information. Here is where you can read about upcoming events.
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THE CAMPAIGN FOR THE CAMPAIGN is where you will find the most up-to-date information on Election 2008.

Check the Calendar for links to all sorts of events, including summer courses, the next Saturday Seminar, the Michael Pollan workshop and lecture, and more.

committee meeting

Core Writing Teams hard at work

 

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR TEACHERS !
The USOE offers a variety of courses every summer, and throughout the school year. Over 400 teachers took courses this summer. Check the calendar for more information and how to register. As courses are added, the calenda is updated. In addition to what the USOE offers, great opportunities for teachers, often inexpensive or free of charge, cross my desk on a regular basis. Here are links to some examples. Some of their offerings for the summer of 2007 filled up fast, so check in regularly for other opportunities:

How about three credit hours of graduate-level coursework for $40? This link takes you to the Tanner Humanities Center at the University of Utah. The THC offers Gateway to Learning Workshops for Educators. www.thc.utah.edu

The Hinckley Institute of Politics at the University of Utah offers many great opportunities for teachers including their annual Huntsman Seminar: http://www.hinckley.utah.edu/events/seminar/

This link will take you to an institute that explores the role of the Supreme Court and helps you learn about cases, develop lessons about the Supreme Court, and meet with key players in the confirmation process for Justices. www.streetlaw.org/scsipage.asp

This link is to the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. www.gilderlehrman.org

The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Teacher Fellowship Program is developing a national corps of skilled secondary school educators who serve as leaders in Holocaust education. www.ushmm.org

Utah has its own Holocaust Memorial as well

Study at Landmark Sites with the Bill of Rights Institute: http://www.billofrightsinstitute.org/ProfessionalDevelopment /
SummerInstitute/Description.htm

The Uintah Basin Teaching American History Grant has an incredible web site with links to countless resources:
http://www.uintahbasintah.org/

The Tooele School District Teaching American History Grant has an incredible web site with links to countless resources:
http://www.tooelesd.org/portal/tah/Home/tabid/1433/Default.aspx


Other Information:

For further information, contact Tom Sutton, State Social Studies Specialist - 801.538.7708; FAX 801.538.7769
This page last updated October 22, 2008