The Social Studies Connection
More than a Newsletter for Secondary Social Studies Teachers
K-12 Social Studies Specialist
Office of Teaching & Learning
Southland Center - 3700 South High Street, Columbus, OH
Michael Wilkos, Vice President of Community Engagement at United Way of Central Ohio will be the opening keynote speaker for the March 5 PD Day.
Michael's presentation, "“Metro Columbus Today: Making sense of a decade of incredible growth and change in our region,” provides amazingly detailed information and insight into the contemporary demographics, social, and economic conditions in the City of Columbus and Columbus City School District today.
Michael presented to a group social studies teachers in the Serving Columbus Project in 2012 and the History Speaks Urban Studies Institute in 2014. But much has changed in the city over the last decade and these changes directly impact the daily work of CCS classroom teachers. Armed with data from the 2020 census and multiple other data sources, Michael's presentation is packed with maps, charts, and graphics about Columbus today.
Michael earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Geography and a Master of City and Regional Planning degree from The Ohio State University. Prior to joining United Way, he served as a senior grants officer and director of community research at The Columbus Foundation.
March 5 Featured Presentation: 9:10 a.m. - 10:20 a.m.
Maria Hammack and Leila Vieira, The Ohio State University
In this session, participants will learn about enslaved Blacks who went to Mexico to find freedom in the early and mid 1800s. Through presentation and discussion, this session will touch upon the networks that led people to Mexico, indigenous and Black freedom fighters in the country, and about Silvia Hector, who is often referred to as the Harriet Tubman of Mexico. Presenters will provide participants with discussion questions and activities that can be adapted to their own instruction.
The OER World History PLC Cohort has completed the first two seminars. On September 18, participants received an overview of the OER Project curriculum, and discussed tools and strategies for teaching about causation. On October 18, teachers participated in follow-up and discussion on the topic of causation, then examined tools for teaching contextualization.
Cohort members also completed a mid-year survey to provide feedback on how well the OER Project PD has helped them meet the CCS Social Studies Points of Emphasis for 2024-2025—Source Work, Data Analysis, and Applied Learning.
The remaining topics for this program will be incorporated into the March 5 PD Day. These topics are Change, Continuity, and Time and Data Exploration. All cohort members should plan to attend these sessions during the 10:30 and 1:00 slots.
March is Women's History Month, commemorating and encouraging the study, observance and celebration of the vital role of women in American history.
See the following resources for Women's History Month in the classroom.
Whetstone Mock Trial Success at the Regional Competition
Having advanced from the district competition in January, Whetstone HS (Karen Ballmer and Austin Ford, advisors) continued its Mock Trial success during the regional competition on February 7 at the Franklin County Courthouse. Whetstone won two of four trials, defeating Grandview Heights HS and Columbus School for Girls. Additionally, the teams captured five individual awards—three for Outstanding Attorney and two for Outstanding Witness. Congratulations to all participating students and team advisors!
Sponsored by the Ohio Center for Law Related Education, High School Mock Trial offers an innovative approach to learning the law and how our legal system functions. Guided by teachers and volunteer legal advisors, students participate in an original, unscripted simulated trial where they take on the roles of attorneys, witnesses, and bailiffs/timekeepers.
Sunday, June 22-Friday, June 27
Philadelphia, PA
This weeklong summer intensive is presented by the Sandra Day O’Connor Institute for American Democracy, the National Constitution Center (NCC) and the Organization of American Historians (OAH). Hear from constitutional scholars, legal experts, and historians as they discuss key components of constitutional history and ask questions about relevant topics today.
The Sandra Day O’Connor Institute for American Democracy will provide a stipend to cover the cost of travel and lodging for all participants, as well as breakfasts, lunches, and dinners on both the opening night and closing night. Ticket costs associated with visiting cultural institutions around Old City Philadelphia will also be covered. All other costs are the responsibility of the participant.