Welcome to the PCSS online, home of the
Pennsylvania Council for the Social Studies.
New in Social Studies
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VOTE NOW FOR THE PCSS 2010 BOARD ELECTION! Click here to vote!Click the above link to access the ballot. You will need to enter the password used to access News and Views on this site. You will only be able to use the ballot once, so you must submit the ballot before logging off. Plese feel free to use the write in option. Be an active member and complete your ballot in a timely fashion by August 1. Need Password help? Email: don_imler@yahoo.com |
New PCSS Journal Editor Dr. Jodi Bornstein, Assistant Professor, Coordinator Social Studies Education Program and Faculty Liaison for School Collaborations at Arcadia University is the new editor of the PCSS Social Studies Journal. If you are interested in submitting an article or becoming a reviewer, you can contact Dr. Bornstein at 450 S. Easton Rd., Arcadia University, Glenside, PA 19038 215-517-8526 bornstej@arcadia.edu |
Call for Nominations: NCSS Award for Global Understanding Given in Honor of James M. Becker NCSS celebrates the efforts of these educators during its annual conference to spotlight the importance of global studies in the social studies classroom: cultivating the skills, knowledge and attitudes needed for responsible participation in an increasingly global 21st century community. Award-winners receive a $2,000 cash award; commemorative gift; a session to present at the NCSS conference; complimentary NCSS conference registration; up to $700 in transportation/lodging reimbursement; and publicity. Nominations must be postmarked by May 15, 2010. Visit http://www.socialstudies.org/awards/globalunderstanding for more information about eligibility and award criteria as well as submission and nomination requirements. . |
On October 28, 2009 Juli Vitello, Kathleen Geist, and Jean Wallace of Green Woods Charter School were awarded the Pennsylvania Council of Social Congratulations once again to the award-winning Green Woods team!! Each day our entire team strives to realize the legislative intent of charter school law and that is for our charter schools to be "innovative models for school reform." Upon receiving this award, Jean Wallace, CEO of Green Woods praised Kathleen and Juli for the work they do each day to bring real-life civics issues to the forefront of classroom learning.
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2009 Constitutional Readings at the Blair County Courthouse Hollidaysburg Area High School sponsored a public reading and explanation of the Constitution for the Constitution Day celebration. Students and dignitaries each took park in explaining the importance and content of the Constitution to an Hollidaysburg Junior High students and the general public. First Lady Judge Rendell was among the exciting speakers at this annual event. PCSS President David Trevasikis spoke about the legislative branch. Students from PCSS Secretary Don Imler's Civics classes organized and participated in the event.
PCSS President David Trevaskis speaks about Article One of the Constitution. |
2010 Law Day Theme Announced! Law in the 21st Century: Emerging Challenges and Enduring Traditions Viait www.lawday.org for all the details! |
Become a contributer to the PCSS Social Studies Journal |
MCSS is Calling for Proposals and for Attendees for their January 2010 Conference. |
21st Century Geography Skills. The Partnership for 21st Century Skills and National Council for Geographic Education developed a skills framework for Geography. |
PCSS President David Trevaskis, pictured here with Tom Doyle, Justice Program Coordinator for the Community College of Philadelphia, was honored on March 3, 2009 by CCP's Center for Law and Society at the awards luncheon celebrating the College's 10th Annual Law and Society Week. Trevaskis received one of 10 Gavel Awards to individuals in recognition of their longstanding support for CCP's Law and. Society Week. In addition to Trevaskis, the honorees included: George Anastasia, staff writer, The Philadelphia Inquirer; Paul Bechtel, Esq., retired partner, Marshall, Dennehey, Warner, Coleman & Goggin; William Colarulo, a chief inspector with the Philadelphia Police Department; the Honorable Holly Ford, judge, Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas; retired Philadelphia Police Commissioner Sylvester Johnson; Lynn Marks, executive director, Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts; Kal Rudman, music and business pioneer and donor to the College's Justice curriculum; William Whiteside, Jr., retired partner, Fox Rothschild LLP; and Beverly Williams, a paralegal at Community Legal Services, Inc., and a graduate of the College's Paralegal Studies program. Sister Mary Scullion, homeless advocate, co-founder, executive director and president of Project H.O.M.E., received the 2009 Judge Edward R. Becker Citizenship Award.
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| The theme for the 2009 PCSS Conference at Johnstown, PA is "It's the Issues". |
Myron Yoder Testifies Before State Board Hearing |
Mock Trial A group of parents, local leaders, the Pennsylvania Council for the Social Studies and the Pennsylvania Bar Association presented the "Trial of Goldilocks" at SRS recently. This mock trial program enhanced students understanding of the judicial system by presenting the elements of a criminal trial, with students serving as jurors.At a time when social studies education in the elementary schools is getting the short shrift, it is nice to see local parents and community leaders come together to bring these programs into the local schools.
Pictured here are (top row left to right) David Caputo (prosecutor), SRS Principal Gary Davis, David Trevaskis (bailiff and PCSS Representative), Judge Phil Restrepo (judge), Mayor Eck Gerner (Papa Bear), Officer Ed Kline (officer/forest ranger), John Savoth (defense attorney), (bottom) Sabrina Caputo, Anthony Foglio, Julia Gyourko, Matthew Restrepo, Maeve Hiehle, Nicholas Restrepo, Sohpia Foglio, Evan Savoth, and Lori Foglio (Goldilocks). |
NEW LRE MATERIALS The Multiple Uses of Picoult Best Selling, Law Related, Teen Issue themed literature- An eight session class curriculum using key Picoult works including her latest Handle with Care to deal with the accuracy, authenticity, ethical and legal implications of: bullying, juvenile crime, organ donation, wrongful birth, rape, juvenile rights, divorce, and other legal case law that"hits" high school students lives. This course and/or staff development blends balanced literacy, writing workshop, and case law to foster teen engagement in legal issues that affect their lives. In addition students are mentored to produce writings that can be performed, filmed, read aloud, reenacted, and platformed into on-air or pod cast teen issues. The Picoult works are the anchor texts for the research, writing, speaking and interacting. This can integrated into an ongoing juvenile justice course or blended into the English Language Arts Curriculum. For further information contact: Dr. Rose Reissman |
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The Constitution on Trial
- lesson plan
Source - Adams Center for Law and Society, Susquehanna University |
| Four-time Participant Wins Jefferson Award at Greater Pittsburgh Civics Fair |
 Ancient
Rome in 3D
Ever wished you could guide your students through the streets of Ancient Rome as it stood in 320 AD? With the new Ancient Rome 3D layer in Google Earth, you can! Bring the past to life for your students with over 6700 intricately detailed 3D buildings. Once you've developed curricula using this new tool, submit your materials to the Ancient Rome in 3D Curriculum Competition for the chance at fame, glory, and an outstanding prize package! |
For the third year in a row, Google is delighted to work with My Wonderful World, a National Geographic-led campaign to give kids the power of global knowledge, on Geography Awareness Week. Students and teachers alike can explore a range of geo-activities using Google Earth. Working together on projects like this, that encourage people to roll up their sleeves and explore the world, is what Google's Geo Education initiative is all about. Explore the world's cultures virtually with National Geographic's Glimpse. Open in Google Earth (.kmz) Tour these Global Hotspots to learn what today's study of geography is all about. Open in Google Earth (.kmz) Meet some people who have one thing in common: geography! Take the Geography on the Job geotour. Open in Google Earth (.kmz) Don't have Google Earth? Download it here
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October 21, 2008, at the Governor's Residence, after the Compass Award Dinner honoring Allentown School District for its civics achievement in this era of high stakes testing. Pictured: Maria Gallo, Center for Civic Education, Myron Yoder, Allentown Social Studies Coordinator, PA First Lady, Judge Marjorie Rendell, Melissa Bell, Literature Consultant and Retired Allentown English Teacher |
NCSS President Michael Yell participated in the annual PCSS conference in Gettysburg, PA on October 17. |
| Take a look at what PDE has done with their Standards Aligned System. It includes Big Ideas and Essential Questions based on the PA Academic Standards. They have a resource section with useful links for teachers and students including Reading Apprenticeship. Although much of the site is incomplete, they have very recently added Civics. Go to www.pde.state.pa.us/sas. Social Studies will appear on the left and Civics is accessible through that link. |
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Partnership for 21st Century Skills and National Council for the Social Studies Create Framework for Integrating 21st Century Skills into Social Studies Curriculum Click here to read about the framework. Click here to review the social studies curriculum map. |
