I know many of you have been in session for a while, but I wanted to start off the first email of the 2021-22 school year by saying that I hope you are having a smooth start. The past several months have presented many challenges, but I was inspired last year as I worked with teachers across the county who continued to help their students navigate these unprecedented times. As the new year begins, I am looking forward to continuing our work together.

As a side note, we will continue to publish the County Crier this year with fall, winter, and spring editions. We will continue to update the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) History-Social Science website in between editions to keep educators posted on issues related to this content area, so please check it frequently.

History-Social Science Coordinator, SDCOE

858-295-8857

Today’s students are voicing that they want to learn more about the pressing issues facing the world. Even as they grow up in a time of increased political division and social unrest, students want to make a positive difference in their communities. It is within this context that the SDCOE History-Social Science Team is launching the Civic Learning San Diego webpage. This webpage provides information about and tools for implementing the new California State Seal of Civic Engagement and K-8 Civic Learning Pathways. In addition, educators can find links to civic learning events, professional development, and current research on civic learning. The webpage will be updated and refined throughout the year. If you have any questions regarding these resources or about civic education in general, please contact Matt Hayes at mahayes@sdcoe.net.

Given the uncertainty of the past year and a half, it is possible that students may not have had the opportunity to learn all of the skills, concepts, and ideas that they typically learn in a history-social science class. To help educators plan for this, a group from the California Curriculum and Instruction Steering Committee has developed a tool for accelerated learning and an accompanying webinar. These will be available in the coming weeks and will be linked to the SDCOE History Social Science website as well as the California Content, Inquiry, Literacy, and Citizenship (CLIC) Project website.

SDCOE will be hosting a series of workshops to support teachers, schools, and districts as they implement civic learning pathways to help their students become informed and engaged members of their communities. Click on each event below to learn more. All events are being planned as virtual meetings, but could move to in-person if conditions allow.

For questions about registration, contact Amber Baldwin at amber.baldwin@sdcoe.net. For questions about workshop content, contact Matt Hayes at mahayes@sdcoe.net.

During this two-part webinar, participants will discuss the California History-Social Science Framework and its instructional focus on content, literacy, inquiry, and civic engagement (CLIC) through document-based questions (DBQs). Using a modified lesson study process, educators will implement a lesson series and share their experiences with colleagues. Participating teachers will receive a free copy of The DBQ Project’s Mini-Qs in California and American History binder (a $375 value). This professional learning opportunity is being offered through a partnership between SDCOE and the Orange County Department of Education.

The first session will be on Oct. 13 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and the second session will be from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Nov. 17. Space is limited to 20 participants, so register today.

History-social science lead teachers, teachers on special assignment, and administrators are invited to join a network to learn about current state and local initiatives and share ideas for implementation. Participants will meet virtually throughout the year. Feel free to participate in the meetings that work for your schedule.

The meetings will be from 3:45 to 4:45 p.m. on Oct. 6, Dec. 8, Feb. 16, April 6, and June 8. All meetings will be held virtually and there is no cost to participants. Register today.

The first San Diego County Civic Learning Conference and Showcase event is being offered through a partnership between SDCOE, the San Diego Civic Learning Partnership, and the San Diego Unified School District. Participants will have opportunities to learn about local civic learning opportunities, hear from experts, and network with colleagues. The day will include breakout sessions and will culminate in a showcase of student civic learning projects.

The event is planned for March 15, in person at SDCOE's main campus in Linda Vista. However, for health and safety reasons, it could be moved to a virtual event. More information will be available later in the fall, so please check the Civic Learning San Diego website for updates.

The Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) is inviting educators from across the state to participate in its upcoming virtual institute on the State Seal of Civic Engagement. Topics will include the rationale and definition of high-quality civic learning, criteria for earning the seal, how Lived Civics addresses issues of equity in schools, an introduction to the Educating for American Democracy Roadmap, and time to explore resources and develop an implementation plan for your school or district.

Featured speakers include Joseph Kahne, Erica Hodgin, and Leah Bueso from the Civic Engagement Research Group at UC Riverside. Other speakers include Sarah Smith, an education programs consultant at the California Department of Education, and Michelle Herczog and Craig Lewis from LACOE.

There is a $125 fee to participate, and sessions will be held from 3:30 to 5 p.m. on Oct. 6, 8, and 14.

National History Day San Diego (NHDSD) offers exciting ways to get your students involved and motivated about acquiring and utilizing the skills they are developing via today's online learning. Students in grades 4 through 12 can take part in a proven project that will help them excel academically and allow their creativity to flourish. This year's National History Day theme is "Communication in History: Key to Understanding.” Students research a historical topic and choose how they wish to present their findings, emphasizing their own strengths and interests. Later, they can present their research findings in a documentary, a website, an exhibit, a performance, or in an historical paper. For more information about NHDSD, visit www.nhdsd.org, or contact Janet Mulder, NHDSD coordinator.

High school students can get a unique educational experience by participating in the 2022 San Diego County High School Mock Trial Competition that encourages and builds teamwork, goal setting, civic participation, and persuasive advocacy and public speaking skills.

Teachers and administrators interested in learning about and participating in the February competition must attend one of two orientation meetings. The meetings will be held virtually via Zoom on Sept. 9 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Sept. 13 from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

For additional information about the competition or to register for one of the teacher orientation meetings, please visit the website at sdmocktrial.org. For questions, please email us at sdmocktrial@gmail.com.

The 61st annual California Council for the Social Studies (CCSS) Conference will be held March 4-6 at the Hyatt Orange County in Garden Grove. The conference theme is “Social Studies in a New Era: Connect, Collaborate, Construct.” The early bird registration rate for members is $300 and $450 for nonmembers. The rate expires Dec. 17. For more information, visit the CCSS website.

In response to the current pandemic, the USS Midway Institute for Teachers added to their free online lessons. Most of the lessons address the Cold War and its aftermath, and are geared toward high school world history and United States history.

Judges in the Classroom pairs a sitting judge with classrooms at all grade levels (K-12 in person, and grades 3-12 virtual) to engage in a lesson that teaches students about the judicial branch of government. Requests are now being accepted for Constitution Day and for the 2021-22 school year. Learn more about the Judges in the Classroom program.