Calling all educators! My latest newsletter geared for social studies, but has something for everyone is packed with valuable resources and updates to help you enhance your students’ learning experience. But that’s not all! We’re also excited to announce that we’ll be hosting interactive sessions on ChatGPT, an AI tool that can help you bring primary source documents to life in your classroom. Whether you’re a STEM/CS expert or not, these sessions are a great opportunity to explore new ways to engage your students with history. If you’re interested in joining us, please contact me to be added to the newsletter list and to stay informed about the sessions’ schedule. Don’t miss this chance to elevate your social studies instruction!”
Newsletter can be read here as PDF
Social Studies Updates
General Social Studies Resources
Here is a spreadsheet I have started to gather for general social studies resources. I have not analyzed in exhaustive detail all of these so you will need to use your professional judgment for your classroom. I think many of these you are familiar with or have seen at some point, but hopefully there is a new resource that might be helpful.
If there are others to add, then please let me know and I will share for the group.
World War 2 Resources
As part of a project on the power of storytelling that I shared in the previous email regarding a World War 2 French Resistance fighter our AEA media team has worked hard to create a spreadsheet of all the resources our AEA region has available to them to use.
The spreadsheet is broken down into fiction, non-fiction, and additional materials along with grade level and Lexile if helpful.
This might be helpful to some of you who teach this time period connected to your standards that maybe you didn’t know was available.
And if you need help with AEA resource login information
To access the AEA Digital Resources, log into MBAEA Oneclick https://launchpad.classlink.com/mbaea9 or log in with building-wide credentials at https://www.iowaaea.org/how-we-can-help/iowa-aea-online/. Please contact media-center-staff @ aea9.k12.ia.us for support.
To access in-house media resources, log in using single-sign-on access at https://aea9.insigniails.com/Library/Home. Please contact media-center-staff @ aea9.k12.ia.us for support.
Focus Crowdsourced Work: Organizing and Collecting 7th Grade Social Studies Resources
Something I want to try is to highlight a grade level in each newsletter and work to help all become aware of lessons, units, projects, resources, etc. that could be utilized by all. The power of crowdsourcing is so helpful if we all contribute when we have something to contribute.
Here is the document that has been developed so far. Feel free to leave a comment with suggestions and I will add as we go.
Current Projects In Development With Classrooms
- Complexities of Being Human – WW2 French Resistance Fighter
- We Zoom with him on 1/27/23 if you want to hear his story.
- We will again on 2/10/23
- All recordings will be on the website
- Initial steps in developing projects in
- a project utilizing argumentative writing in a podcast format for WW2
- Food scarcity for 5th grade
- Moving into action on inequalities for 4th grade using SDG’s and Humane Education
From Iowa Council of Social Studies Latest Newsletter
- Lincoln and Reconstruction Seminar 1 day in person in Corning, IA
You are invited to attend a seminar offered by Teaching American History for a discussion-based exploration of the story of America as it was written by those who lived it. Join us for this in-person seminar:
Lincoln and Reconstruction – February 6, 2023, 8:30 AM CT – 2:30 PM CT – Southwest Valley Public Schools (Corning, IA) – Discussion Leader: Joseph R. Fornieri – Rochester Institute of Technology
This seminar is a study of Lincoln’s struggles, ideas, and plans to reconstruct the Union during and after the Civil War. Special emphasis is placed on the challenges he faced in trying to win the war while simultaneously laying the groundwork for a reconstructed country, and how his ideals about the status of slaves changed over the course of the war.
We especially encourage registration by teachers who have not participated in a previous Teaching American History seminar.
- Be sure to sign up for the Social Studies Updates from Stefanie Wager at the Iowa Department of Education.
National Geographic
Holocaust PD
Here’s signup information about an upcoming professional development workshop focusing on The U.S. and the Holocaust, the new documentary by Ken Burns.
On February 7 at 7 p.m. ET the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM) will cohost an event with PBS LearningMedia and the Association of Holocaust Organizations exploring practical strategies for educators to integrate the film’s content into their teaching.
The event will feature teachers who wrote lesson plans on media literacy, immigration, and the refugee crisis; Nazism and antisemitism; and World War II and the Holocaust
Please register for the PD session here.
You may also explore USHMM teaching materials designed to support the Museum’s current exhibition on Americans and the Holocaust
Uncovering the Personal Narrative of WWII: A Collaborative Exploration with ChatGPT and Expert Analysis
Unlock the Hidden Stories of WWII: Join Our Interactive Zoom Session with ChatGPT and Expert Analysis!
Are you an educator interested in using cutting-edge technology to enhance your students’ learning experience? Join us for a collaborative Zoom session where we’ll explore the power of ChatGPT in interpreting primary source documents, specifically a personal narrative written by a WWII veteran. We’ll work together to create effective prompts and tools to break down complex content and help students gain a deeper understanding of historical events.
But even if you’re not an AI expert, we still want you to join us! We’re looking for educators who are passionate about helping students work with primary source documents. Together, we’ll brainstorm new ways to make this content accessible to upper elementary and middle school students.
Don’t miss this opportunity to be a part of this innovative and exciting project. If you’re interested, please let us know and we’ll keep you updated on the schedule. Depending on interest, we may even run multiple sessions!
Below is the document we will be using as a basis for exploration and conversation.
Email Aaron Maurer amaurer@mbaea.org if interested in joining one of the upcoming sessions. You will be provided a few session options, an agenda, and resources to explore to feel prepared to be able to engage even if you know nothing about this AI tool.
Michel Mockers – My War – Example AI Conversion
**and yes, this section was written by ChatGPT**
Thank you!
For some reason the email given for chatgpt sessons is not taking emails (doesn’t exist?)
I am not sure why it is not working for you as it is my email. Would you like for me to add you to the invite for the session?