Welcome to the PCSS online, home of the
Pennsylvania Council for the Social Studies.
What is New? |
PCSS 2009 Officer and Board Election Click the ABOVE LINK to Vote. --Important-You will only be allowed to vote once, once you hit submit the ballot is cast and you may not return.
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Learning About Local History Follow this link to read an enlightining article about the value of local history in the classroom.
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HELP SAVE NATIONAL HISTORY DAY. |
| NCSS CANCELS SLI |
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 |
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Rome in 3DEver 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. |
