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News to Use in Social Studies! What's going on in Social Studies? It's all right here! On this link you will find updates for all levels of Social Studies, as well as community exhibits and events for the week of November 16, 2009. This information is in lieu of a district-wide email – please be sure to access this site on a weekly basis to stay informed of the many aspects of teaching, technology, workshops, and general information related to Social Studies K-12. If there is something you would like to have included, please contact me! |
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Grades K-4 Curriculum Guides & Maps Grades K-4 Information - Updated! Curriculum Guides are designed to assist teachers in their curriculum planning. Essential Questions, Illinois Learning Standards, Social Studies content and skills are included, as well as reading strategies and skills. They contain a "menu" of options for classroom activities, and much more! Additionally, Curriculum Maps were created in June, 2009. Each offers month-by-month pacing to ensure instruction. Essential Questions and Big Ideas are included, as well as Power Standards to aid in evaluation for the Standards-Based Report Cards. Curriculum for teaching Rockford in Grade 3 and Illinois in Grade 4 is found here. Teachers are strongly encouraged to incorporate Social Studies into the Literacy Block (BLIG), as well as adding Social Studies content to the instructional day. |
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Grades 5-8 Curriculum Guides & Maps Grades 5-8 Information - Updated! These curriculum guides and maps are valuable curricular aids as teachers design their lesson plans. Social Studies has so much to offer our students - "it's all right here!" |
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Grades 9-12 Curriculum Maps for Social Science Courses High School Information - Updated! The District High School Planning Guide for 2009-2010 is linked to this page as well as Power Standards for high school Social Studies courses, curriculum maps, and online textbook support for specific courses. |
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Native American Heritage Month November 2009 "What started at the turn of the century as an effort to gain a day of recognition for the significant contributions the first Americans made to the establishment and growth of the U.S., has resulted in a whole month being designated for that purpose." The theme for this year's heritage month is "Pride in Our Heritage. Honor to Our Ancestors." |
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Thanksgiving Thursday, November 26, 2009 It was Sarah Josepha Hale, a magazine editor, whose efforts eventually led to what we recognize as Thanksgiving. Hale wrote many editorials championing her cause in her Boston Ladies' Magazine, and later, in Godey's Lady's Book. Finally, after a 40-year campaign of writing editorials and letters to governors and presidents, Hale's obsession became a reality when, in 1863, President Lincoln proclaimed the last Thursday in November as a national day of Thanksgiving. |
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Census in Schools: "2010 Census: It's About Us" From the U.S. Census Bureau Free lessons and handouts are posted on this website, including new ideas and materials to assist in teaching students about the importance of the 2010 Census and its Social Studies implications. |
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Field Trip Experiences - Updated! Recommendations for Students, Families, and Teachers These experiences, when carefully aligned to Illinois Learning Standards and District curriculum, provide valuable experiences for the enrichment of Social Studies lessons taught within the classroom. Perhaps a family trip might include one or more of these sites! |
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East High School Veterans Memorial To "Inspire, Educate, and Honor" In 1948 a Memorial Garden was formally dedicated to the memory of the 34 “Gold Star Boys,” graduates of East High School, who lost their lives in the service of their country in World War II. These Gold Star Boys were highlighted in the Rockford Register Star’s November 11, 2007, edition. One facet of the article highlighted the eulogies written by the first principal of East High School, Mr. Harry C. Muth. Long kept in a file folder, these special comments about the young men served to illustrate the commitment and many sacrifices that the young people of Rockford East High have given in service to our country. In the years following, time and vandalism took their toll and the “living memorial” of 1948 disappeared. The East High School Veterans Memorial Committee was established to recreate a more lasting tribute to these 34 Gold Star Boys, as well as the other East veterans who have served in the armed forces. Today’s students will learn of the sacrifice, so long forgotten, of these 34 young men who paid the ultimate price for our freedoms and of those who have served since WWII and are still serving at this time. Read more about the efforts to “inspire, educate, and honor.” |
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Rockford's Sister Cities On which continents can our Sister Cities be found? Click on this link to discover more about Rockford's seven Sister Cities! What connection does Rockford have with each of these? • Changzhou, China • Taszár, Hungary • Ferentino, Italy • Tokmok, Kyrgyzstan • Cluj-Napoca, Romania • Borgholm, Sweden • Brovary, Ukraine |
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Social Studies Scope and Sequence For Grades K-12 Using these links, you can access information regarding the Social Studies program from elementary to high school in Rockford Public Schools. |
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PowerPoint Presentation November 13, 2009 This presentation has been created for the Intervention Staff and addresses the Social Studies Curriculum and materials available for elementary and middle schools. |
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TAH Grant: Freedom Project 2009-2010 Check Out These Incredible Symposiums! This link takes you to a PowerPoint that describes the 2009-2010 Freedom Project symposiums and field trip opportunity. It's going to be a great year! If you teach Grades 5, 7, 8, or high school Social Studies, this grant is tailored for the United States History curriculum. For additional information or to register, please contact Betsy Homewood at Roosevelt Center, (815)966-3250, ext. 4341. |
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Coordinator's Email Stay in Touch! Kathy Cassioppi, Social Studies (K-12) Curriculum Coordinator, Rockford Public Schools, District 205, 201 South Madison Street, Rockford, IL 61104, (815) 966-8918, or via email: CassioK@rps205.com. |
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