Reasons to Attend GCSS

By Nina Kendall

Professional organizations in the fields of History and Education hold annual meetings to fulfill their missions.  These meetings or conferences are opportunities to learn about the work in the field and network with colleagues. The Georgia Council for the Social Studies (GCSS) is the professional organization for Social Studies Educators in Georgia.  Their annual meeting is held annually during the third week in October. The 2014 conference will be October 16-17.  Here are a few reasons to attend.

New Resources
At an annual meeting like GCSS, you have the opportunity to talk to organizations that support your professional work. At this year’s meeting you will have a chance to see new items that vendors have to offer and how organizations like Georgia Council on Economic Education and the Georgia Humanities Council support learning in our state.  No matter your budget, a walk through the exhibitor hall will lead you to resources to use in your classroom.

Exhibitors for GCSS 2014

Bridgeview Education Cengage Learning Clairmont Press Didgeridoo Down Under EF Education First EverFi Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta GALILEO Gallopade International Georgia Center for Assessment Georgia Center for Civic Engagement Georgia Commission on the Holocaust

Georgia Council on Economic Education Georgia Council for the Social Studies Georgia Historical Society Georgia Humanities Council Georgia Public Broadcasting Georgia Renaissance Festival Georgia Southern University Museum Heifer International

Jewish Community Relations Council National Geographic Non-Boring History PDA Literacy S3strategies Studies Weekly Teachers Retirement System The Outstanding Guides, LLC Tracy’s File Cabinet Warbranch Press, Inc. World Affairs Council of Atlanta/World Quest

New Insight
A variety of speakers at annual meetings will introduce you to new insights and developments in the field.  A few years ago, attendees got to hear from the Historian working on Today in Georgia History, a joint project between GPB and the Georgia Historical Society. This year you can learn about social studies instruction from around the state from speaker panel lead by Shaun Owen from the Georgia Department of Education.  You can also gain new insight into history while attending the keynote address delivered by Congressman John Lewis. Congressman Lewis will share his experiences and introduce his new book, March.

New Ideas
Make time to attend presentations of your choice at GCSS. From DBQs to Mentoring Student Teachers, there is a topic of interest to everyone.  Histocrat Margaret Duncan will be there presenting about Gamification.  Pick something of interest to you. Look for a session to address a problem you are facing in your school. Find out how to participate in National History Day and connect with the National Archives in Atlanta for research.  Leave with new ideas on how to make your classroom and school more effective and engaging.

We encourage you to make this part of your professional growth plans now and in the future. This annual event sponsored by Georgia Historical Society, Georgia Center for Civic Engagement, Georgia Humanities Council, and Studies Weekly in 2014 is an opportunity not to be missed.

Why We Need to Teach World History

By Margaret Duncan, Ed.D. and Nina Kendall

            We have a generation of children who know the hard choices families and communities make during an economic crisis. Despite reports of economic improvement, joblessness, food insecurity, and poverty play significant roles in the lives of many Americans. The most recent economic crisis continues to plague states, communities and families today.

In the ongoing search for the best way to serve American citizens education is once again the battleground. This time the battle line has been drawn in Ohio.  Changes in graduation requirements by the Ohio State Legislature and supported by the Ohio Department of Education would eliminate World History as a required course for high school graduation.   World History would become an elective. It is conceivable that in some districts the course could be eliminated completely, a victim of survivor style economic decisions. Educators everywhere have realized that if a course is not mandated or assessed, it will frequently not be taught. 

There is an effort to add at least one semester via the World History Bill (OH SB 96).  If this bill is passed it will only require 1 unit of the study of World History “and civilizations” as part of the required courses for high school graduation in Ohio.  The bill will be before the Ohio Senate Education Committee on February 19, 2014 and pending approval will move onto the full Senate for a vote.  

As educators, it is hard for us to understand why a state would not require students to study World History in order to graduate.  An understanding of how the past has shaped the relationships this country has with other nations and how those international relationships impact our economy is vital to economic success for individuals, states, and nations. Yet, the students of Ohio are asked to exit High School with little understanding of the World, past, present and future, they live in. 

 

If you feel as strongly as we do, we urge you to lobby and contact Ohio State Senators and Representatives about the importance of students learning about World History and Civilizations.  The Ohio Council of Social Studies is also asking for letters of support from business, education, and organization leaders, parents, and other concerned citizens from across the state and nation to demonstrate the support SB 96 and the need for students to take World History in addition to American History and Government as a part of their high school education. 

 

While our home state does mandate World History, US History, Government and Economics must be mastered before graduation; we do understand and empathize with the plight of Ohio educators.  Our state periodically debates the need for Geography.  The United Sates is part of the Global Community. It is vital that American citizens are educated to understand and respond to the world and global economy shaped by world events. Cutting World History as a graduation requirement is a disservice to individual Americans and to the state. Tough times call for tough decisions but leaving students less prepared is not the option.

 

For more information:

http://ocss.org/advocacy/legislative-updates-and-contacts/