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WCSS2019 has ended
WELCOME TO WCSS 19!  Please check the WCSS Website for council news, information about WCSS mini-grants, upcoming PD opportunities, and more! Also, you can access all submitted presenter materials here.  Enjoy your two days of social studies fun in Madison!
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Sunday, March 17
 

8:30am CDT

Unconference Networking and Planning
Limited Capacity seats available
Speakers
avatar for Chuck Taft

Chuck Taft

History Guy, University School of Milwaukee
I try (heavy on the try) to make the nation's past come alive for my 8th grade young historians through enthusiasm, activity, technology, and humor - and then share those techniques with teachers of all ages and disciplines. It's all about making social studies matter. Bottom line... Read More →

Sunday March 17, 2019 8:30am - 8:45am CDT
Assembly
  Unconference

9:00am CDT

Unconference Sessions
Speakers
W

Sunday March 17, 2019 9:00am - 9:45am CDT
Various
  Unconference

10:00am CDT

Unconference Sessions
Speakers
W

Sunday March 17, 2019 10:00am - 10:45am CDT
Various
  Unconference

11:00am CDT

REGISTRATION OPENS
Speakers
W

Sunday March 17, 2019 11:00am - 11:30am CDT
TBA
  WCSS

11:40am CDT

Welcome to WCSS Conference 2019
Speakers
W

Sunday March 17, 2019 11:40am - 11:45am CDT
TBA
  WCSS

11:45am CDT

KEYNOTE
Speakers
avatar for Michael Matera

Michael Matera

Teacher, Explore Like a Pirate
Michael Matera has taught for more than a decade using interactive play, passion and purpose-driven learning to transform the classroom in international, public and private schools. He is a pioneer in the field of education, using gamification and technology to increase authentic... Read More →

Sunday March 17, 2019 11:45am - 12:45pm CDT
Ballroom
  KEYNOTE

12:55pm CDT

Finding Time to Teach Social Science and Science in Elementary
Limited Capacity seats available
If necessity is the mother of invention, inquiry is the impetus for integration. Session centers on our district's journey in utilizing the C3 Framework, all three aspects of Next Generation Science Standards, and Common Core Literacy Standards to create a curriculum and instruction model that integrates social science, science, and literacy in elementary classrooms across the district.
Speakers
DR
avatar for Cory Nilsen

Cory Nilsen

Dean of Social Science Curriculum, Rockford Public Schools 205
Ask me about integrating social science, science, health, and English language arts into a viable elementary curriculum.

Sunday March 17, 2019 12:55pm - 1:45pm CDT
Room II

12:55pm CDT

Selecting your Badger State Delegates
Limited Capacity seats available
Learn about how you can help with the selection of candidates in your school district or participate as a volunteer counselor in an excellent professional development opportunity the 3rd week of June. Did you attend the American Legion Auxiliary Badger Girls State or American Legion Boys State program once upon a time? Join us for an opportunity to reconnect and find out about updates for the program and meet your fellow alumni.
Speakers
JL
MW

Mary Walz

Sauk Prairie High School

Sunday March 17, 2019 12:55pm - 1:45pm CDT
Room III
  Civics

12:55pm CDT

Why Does It Matter? Making Social Studies Relevant
Limited Capacity full
How can we continue to improve the standing of social studies in elementary and secondary education, increase student engagement and critical and creative thinking, and reinforce the essential role that the social studies play in developing the citizens of tomorrow? By always focusing on a simple four word question – why does it matter?  Part preaching to the choir and part lighting a fire, this session will offer a rationale  and strategies for making changes in both content and student displays of learning by focusing on tying class curriculum to the present and increasing relevance to the lives of students. Come with an open mind and ideas to share!
Speakers
avatar for Chuck Taft

Chuck Taft

History Guy, University School of Milwaukee
I try (heavy on the try) to make the nation's past come alive for my 8th grade young historians through enthusiasm, activity, technology, and humor - and then share those techniques with teachers of all ages and disciplines. It's all about making social studies matter. Bottom line... Read More →

Sunday March 17, 2019 12:55pm - 1:45pm CDT
A/B
  General

12:55pm CDT

Tales, Chamberpots, and Historical Literacy . . . with a Historian
Limited Capacity seats available
What happens when a history professor presents to and writes for elementary and middle school students? Laughter, for one thing. Find out how Dr. Annette Laing inspires young audiences to think like historians, using not only humor, pathos, and props, but the skills and knowledge of an academic historian.
Annette invites 7th graders to hypothesize about to do when you need to pee during the Blitz (and how that leads to pressing questions of sanitation today). She takes 4th graders in search of gold in 1849, to little triumph and unexpected disaster. In her novels, she entices readers of all ages to enjoy her time-traveling characters’ comical encounters with an unfiltered past, and to share in their ethical dilemmas.
Annette brings together 15 years of college teaching and 16 years of working with young students to demonstrate the relevance of history, with wit and wide-ranging empathy. Come learn how.

Speakers
avatar for Annette Laing

Annette Laing

Author
Annette Laing is author of The Snipesville Chronicles MG/YA time-travel series, a historian, a popular schools presenter, and the proud owner of an authentic British accent.While professor of early American history at Georgia Southern University, Annette turned the conference center... Read More →

Sunday March 17, 2019 12:55pm - 1:45pm CDT
Room I
  SS Pedagogy

12:55pm CDT

The Korean War Legacy Project/World History Digital Education's extensive oral history digital interviews; digital archive of primary source artifacts; and C3 inquiry lesson plans.
Limited Capacity seats available
This session will provide teachers with an in depth look into the Korean War Legacy Project/World History Digital Education's extensive oral history digital interviews; digital archive of primary source artifacts; and C3 inquiry lesson plans (elementary-high school).
Speakers
MA

Sunday March 17, 2019 12:55pm - 1:45pm CDT
Room IV
  World History

12:55pm CDT

Civic Education: Participation in the Wisconsin State Legislature
Limited Capacity seats available
Participants will learn how to engage their students in the legislative process and receive knowledge of the programs offered by the Wisconsin State Senate. As part of the presentation, attendees will be given a tour of the Capitol.
Speakers
avatar for Dr. Tammy Wehrle

Dr. Tammy Wehrle

Legislative Education and Outreach Officer, Wisconsin State Senate
Please feel free to talk to me about civic education and anything you would be interested to know about the state legislative process and the civic education programs we offer.

Sunday March 17, 2019 12:55pm - 2:15pm CDT
Assembly
  Civics, Extended Session

12:55pm CDT

Digitized Newspapers in the Classroom
Limited Capacity seats available
Feedback Survey
Are newspapers just ‘old news’ to your students? Challenge their ideas and use Chronicling America to turn their study of history, civics, and human geography into a multi-media exploration of the social media of our ancestors.

Chronicling America is a newspaper database that provides free access to millions of historic American newspaper pages (1789-1963). Wisconsin has been part of the National Digital Newspaper Program since 2015.

In this hands-on workshop, discover how to find and use newspapers to inspire historical inquiry and visualize the information through graphs and maps. Encourage your students to explore and discuss different angles (points of view), question bias, and engage critically with the information they find.

This workshop is appropriate for all skill levels. Attendees are encouraged to bring a laptop with Microsoft Excel.
Speakers
JK

Jenny Kalvaitis

Coordinator of Secondary Education, Wisconsin Historical Society
avatar for Randi Ramsden

Randi Ramsden

National Digital Newspaper Program Manager, Wisconsin Historical Society
Randi Ramsden is the National Digital Newspaper Program Manager at the Wisconsin Historical Society. She oversees the digitization of historic Wisconsin newspapers for the Library of Congress’ online database Chronicling America.

Exhibitors
SA

Sunday March 17, 2019 12:55pm - 2:15pm CDT
Senate A
  Current Events, Extended Session

12:55pm CDT

Socratic Seminars: How to Empower Students' Comprehension, Advocacy, and Action
Limited Capacity seats available
Socratic Seminars positively change students' lives. Through student-led discussions and reflection, students drastically improve their comprehension of complex texts. And, perhaps most importantly, they experience how their empowered voices impact their lives and the world around them.

This session will engage all participants in:
1. Learning activities that successfully prepare and motivate students to fully engage in powerful Socratic Seminars.
2. Assessment and scaffolding for successful Socratic Seminars
3. A social-studies focused Socratic Seminar (with inner/outer circle/"cyber circle").
Speakers
avatar for Nancy Roncke

Nancy Roncke

Secondary Literacy Coach/Coordinator, School District of Waukesha
Passionate about student-led discourse and empowering/connecting students, teachers, families, and community.

Sunday March 17, 2019 12:55pm - 2:15pm CDT
Senate B
  SS Pedagogy, Extended Session

1:45pm CDT

OPEN TIME IN THE EXHIBIT HALL
Speakers
W

Sunday March 17, 2019 1:45pm - 2:45pm CDT
TBA
  KEYNOTE

2:15pm CDT

Interdisciplinary Inquiry: Social Studies, Environmental Ed, and Science
Limited Capacity seats available
What is inquiry-based learning, and where can we access resources to implement inquiry-based instruction? Now found in both Wisconsin’s Standards for Social Studies as well as in Wisconsin Standard’s for Environmental LIteracy & Sustainability, Inquiry standards will ensure that students engage in deeper learning. Come to this session to become acquainted with the new standards, geography-based inquiry methods, and leave with new strategies developed by National Geographic. Hear from classroom teachers about how the geo-inquiry framework plays out in the elementary and middle school levels. Join us for both sessions--parts one and two--to not only learn about inquiry, but also to engage with tools for geographic and environmental inquiry.
Speakers
DL
avatar for Sandy Benton

Sandy Benton

Co-Founder & Leadership Team, Wisconsin Green Schools Network
Sandy Benton is passionate about teaching and learning. Her experiences and research as both a literacy coach and a classroom teacher indicate that deep, lasting learning occurs when instruction is learner-centered, interdisciplinary, hands-on, and grounded in real world experiences... Read More →
avatar for Kelly Koller

Kelly Koller

6th Grade Teacher, National Geographic Education Facilitator, Oconto Falls Public School District
I am a 6th grade teacher, a Natioanl Geographic Explorer and a 2018 Grosvenor Teacher Fellow. I believe that having an Explorer Mindset empowers the learning process, helps students discover and navigate their interests and grow as stewards and citizens. Participating in the National... Read More →
YC
avatar for Peter Michaud

Peter Michaud

Fifth Grade Teacher, Reagan Elementary School
History and geography Rock.

Sunday March 17, 2019 2:15pm - 3:35pm CDT
Senate A
  Inquiry, Extended Session

2:15pm CDT

Cultivate student voice and choice!
Limited Capacity seats available
Feedback Survey
Motivate your students to take ownership over their learning through purposeful and authentic project-based learning.  Are your students developing skills that they will use outside of your classroom? Are your students making connections to the real world? What is the purpose of the learning that your students are engaged in? This session will give you tips for how to help your students feel like they have voice and choice in your classroom. Work to create a framework for a student-designed project in your classroom. Get ideas for student rubric creation, project contract creation, project timeline management, individualized conferencing and much more. (Middle & High School Educators)

BRING A DEVICE TO ACCESS THE WEB! No paper handouts will be given.

This session will provide resources & time to :

    • Identifying ways to make project based learning purposeful and authentic in my classroom


    • Finding strategies to manage PBL in the classroom through organization & reflection


    • Create and assess student designed projects using backward design


    • Create structures for PBL in order to build content background and give voice & choice

Cultivate Student Voice and Choice! - Presentation
(Station #3)
Speakers
avatar for Sarah Kopplin

Sarah Kopplin

President-Elect, Wisconsin Council for the Social Studies
I am passionate about advocacy for social studies and civics education and am here to help support Wisconsin educators in any way that I can. Talk to me about strategies for managing or implementing tech tools or creating authentic assessments and inquiry experiences. I love to collaborate... Read More →
KS
KT

Krystle Thomas

Teacher, Shorewood School District

Exhibitors
A

Sunday March 17, 2019 2:15pm - 3:35pm CDT
Assembly
  SS Pedagogy, Extended Session

2:15pm CDT

Exploring Student-led Discussion
Limited Capacity seats available
To prepare today’s 21st century learners for college and career success, teachers must provide explicit instruction to develop students’ speaking, listening, communication, and critical thinking skills. It is essential for teachers to create a classroom culture in which meaningful academic conversation takes place regularly. This allows students to make sense of the world around them by exchanging ideas. In this presentation, we will explore various methods to engage your classroom in meaningful student-led discussion. The strategies we’ll discuss are applicable to students in upper elementary through high school. You will leave with a wealth of knowledge and resources to help your students communicate effectively with each other.
Speakers
JL

Sunday March 17, 2019 2:15pm - 3:35pm CDT
Senate B
  SS Pedagogy, Extended Session

2:45pm CDT

Game On! Creating purposeful, powerful, and playful moments with learners
Limited Capacity seats available
Ready to play? We are! Come join this session as we experience that power that games have to create meaningful and memorable moments. Participants will get to play abbreviated versions of the games and leave with plenty of new ideas. What are you waiting for? Come join in the fun! 

Speakers
avatar for Michael Matera

Michael Matera

Teacher, Explore Like a Pirate
Michael Matera has taught for more than a decade using interactive play, passion and purpose-driven learning to transform the classroom in international, public and private schools. He is a pioneer in the field of education, using gamification and technology to increase authentic... Read More →

Sunday March 17, 2019 2:45pm - 3:35pm CDT
A/B

2:45pm CDT

Digital Tools from the National Constitution Center
Limited Capacity seats available
Come and explore the offerings of the National Constitution Center - the only organization chartered by Congress to provide non-partisan education about the U.S. Constitution.

Participants will explore the Interactive Constitution and other digital tools that can be used in any civics, government, or history classroom. Educators will leave with free lesson plans about the Founding period, Constitutional debates, and more.

Bring a laptop or tablet and be ready to examine your Constitutional rights!
Speakers
DO

David Olson

Social Studies Department Chair, James Madison Memorial High School
I am a Studies Studies teacher and Department Chair at James Madison Memorial High School in Madison, WI. I teach Modern U.S. History, Criminal Justice and AP U.S. Government and Politics. I am part of the iCivics Educator Network, a Teacher Advisory Board member for the National... Read More →

Sunday March 17, 2019 2:45pm - 3:35pm CDT
C/D
  Civics

2:45pm CDT

Leading Literacy in Social Studies
Limited Capacity filling up
Feedback Survey
At all levels of education, helping our students acquire literacy skills is a primary focus. At the same time, the Social Studies Discipline is often left on the periphery of important subjects to receive resources and attention for school improvement. This presentation will focus on how the DeForest Area Middle School Social Studies Department utilized Disciplinary Literacy to align with school literacy goals and positioned themselves as literacy leaders in the building. This process occurred over the past year and a half through unpacking standards, developing a writing skills progression, and collaborating on best Disciplinary Literacy instructional practices. The primary outcome from this presentation will be to generate ideas about how you may lead literacy in your building. There will be time for brainstorming and sharing ideas.
Speakers
avatar for Trent Rasmussen

Trent Rasmussen

7th Grade Social Studies, DeForest Area School District
@Trent_Rasmussen
avatar for Joseph Pachal

Joseph Pachal

7th Grade Social Studies, DeForest Area School District

Exhibitors
RI

Sunday March 17, 2019 2:45pm - 3:35pm CDT
Room IV
  Disciplinary Literacy

2:45pm CDT

Supporting the Shift to Inquiry
Limited Capacity seats available
Wisconsin's new Social Studies standards require schools and districts to shift to an inquiry approach.  In this interactive session, participants will explore the core questions around supporting the shift to inquiry: What is inquiry?  What do administrators need to consider when making the shift? What supports do teachers need in shifting to an inquiry approach?
Speakers
avatar for Jeanette Baum

Jeanette Baum

Director of Partnerships, inquirED
Jeanette Baum and Elisabeth Simon are excited to attend High Aims to launch inquirED to Lakota educators- we are excited to meet you! Jeanette will also be leading a session for School and District leaders thinking about how to shift to an inquiry-based model- she will share what... Read More →

Sunday March 17, 2019 2:45pm - 3:35pm CDT
Room I
  Inquiry

2:45pm CDT

Engaging English Language Learners in Social Studies
Limited Capacity seats available
The focus of this presentation is to discuss and model practical ideas that educators can begin using immediately to create relevancy and engagement opportunities for emergent bilinguals in their social studies classroom, while simultaneously developing their language skills. This presentation will include the latest, and most effective pedagogical practices backed by research and proven in the classroom.
Speakers
BV

Sunday March 17, 2019 2:45pm - 3:35pm CDT
Room II
  SS Pedagogy

2:45pm CDT

Belle Case la Follette, Wisconsin Women and the 100th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment
Limited Capacity seats available
Almost one hundred years ago, Wisconsin became the first state to ratify the 19th amendment. This was due to the hard work of women like Belle Case La Follette and many other female activists. This presentation will provide brief overviews and biographies of Belle La Follette, and other brave Wisconsin activists who played an active role in the fight for equal rights. Following a discussion of these unique women, participants will engage in two, hands on and primary source based lessons that focus on the fight for equality for all at the state and national levels. Participants will receive the materials needed to replicate the lessons in their own classrooms. These activities are geared for upper elementary and middle school classrooms, but can be adapted for all levels of students. Lessons are adapted on an article published in the January publication of Social Studies and the Young Learner.
Speakers
avatar for Kate Van Haren

Kate Van Haren

Kate Van Haren teaches upper elementary school in Pittsville Wisconsin. She teaches social studies and reading. Kate is a board member of the Wisconsin Council for the Social Studies and has worked on curriculum development for the Wisconsin Historical Society, Minnesota Historical... Read More →

Sunday March 17, 2019 2:45pm - 3:35pm CDT
Room III
  Wisconsin History

3:45pm CDT

Explore Writers Workshops in your Social Studies Class
Limited Capacity seats available
Navigating the Inquiry standards and developing content rich writing in a Social Studies Class. By using a Writers Workshop mentality and strategies, students increase their ability to write within the Social Studies curriculum.
Speakers
avatar for Ashley Hahn

Ashley Hahn

Current Seventh Grade Ancient World History, Former Sixth Grade Geography. Always a crazy middle school teacher.Link to the presentation-Here

Writer's Workshop WCSS Presentation pdf
WCSS 2019 Handout docx
Sunday March 17, 2019 3:45pm - 4:35pm CDT
Room IV
  Disciplinary Literacy

3:45pm CDT

Become an Educator Explorer with National Geographic Certification
Limited Capacity seats available
Learn about the amazing National Geographic Educator Community and free Educator Certification Program offered by National Geographic Society. By participating in this session, educators will have completed Phase 1 of the certification process, a program that takes about 15-20 hours total and impacts not only the resources and activities educators have available, but introduces how thinking like an explorer helps set the stage for empowered learning. Participants will also learn about other free professional development programs from National Geographic Society that help teachers and students explore their world and how it works.
Speakers
avatar for Kelly Koller

Kelly Koller

6th Grade Teacher, National Geographic Education Facilitator, Oconto Falls Public School District
I am a 6th grade teacher, a Natioanl Geographic Explorer and a 2018 Grosvenor Teacher Fellow. I believe that having an Explorer Mindset empowers the learning process, helps students discover and navigate their interests and grow as stewards and citizens. Participating in the National... Read More →

Sunday March 17, 2019 3:45pm - 4:35pm CDT
Senate B
  Global Education

3:45pm CDT

Religion and Politics in the Middle East
Limited Capacity seats available
Judging by headlines from the Middle East, religion plays an outsized role in the politics in the region. In reality, most countries in the world have shown a significant interest in religion—both historically and in the present—and the role that it plays in society. This session focuses on the dynamic, complex and diverse religious landscape of Egypt, Israel, Lebanon, and Iran and considers the variety of ways that religion and politics are intertwined in each country individually and the Middle East as a whole. Teachers of World History, Modern History, Global Politics, and Geography will find this session particularly useful, leaving with classroom-ready, standards-aligned resources.
Speakers
avatar for Andrew Askuvich

Andrew Askuvich

Trainer, Institute for Curriculum Services
The Institute for Curriculum Services (ICS) is dedicated to improving the quality of K-12 education on Jews, Judaism, and Israel in the United States. We do this by developing standards-aligned curricula and training teachers around the country. We believe an excellent education is... Read More →

Sunday March 17, 2019 3:45pm - 4:35pm CDT
Room I
  Global Education

3:45pm CDT

Gaining the Mindset of an Explorer-Inquiry in the Social Studies Classroom
Limited Capacity seats available
Engage your students in the inquiry process! As social scientists work hard to figure out our world, it is up to the educator to help students find purpose in their discoveries. In this session we will use the top 10 discoveries that rewrote history to get students excited to ASK*: Why is it there? Why do we care? What can we learn?
Audience: 6-8.

Speakers
AO

Sunday March 17, 2019 3:45pm - 4:35pm CDT
C/D
  Inquiry

3:45pm CDT

The Art of Shrinking your Psych Classes: Strategies for Content & Individualization
Limited Capacity seats available
We know that a close understanding of students is crucial to their success. However, class sizes and demands on our time have never been greater. As educators we know they must individualize the educational experience and that civil discourse has never been more important, but time seems forever short. Psychology offers tremendous opportunity to merge these demands in meaningful ways. In this session we will explore different strategies you can use to help students process psychology in ways that allow you to efficiently & effectively get to know & assess your students. While the context and sample materials will be based in psychology, methodology can be used in a variety of classes!
Speakers
avatar for Elayna Clark

Sunday March 17, 2019 3:45pm - 4:35pm CDT
A/B
  Psychology

3:45pm CDT

Creative Projects in the Advanced (or any) Classroom
Limited Capacity filling up
Feedback Survey
"Creativity requires input, and that's what research is. You're gathering material with which to build." Even AP and Honors students need a chance to use their creative side in the advanced curriculum. It allows for students to think outside the box with how they can utilize their knowledge around the subject matter. We'll be discussing ways to add projects and activities that harness that creative side in a high school or middle school setting. From designing one-pagers to puppet shows to action figures, we'll be sure to have something to add to your class experience. Be prepared for a myriad of different strategies that are easy to implement and start engaging your students in a different way.
Speakers
avatar for Alisha Neinfeldt

Alisha Neinfeldt

Teacher, Cadott High School
This is my tenth year at Cadott High School and I currently teach U.S. History, APUSH, Sociology, and History 8. I'm also the High School Travel Club Advisor. I enjoy working with young people and love to see when they have "light bulb" moments. I have found a passion for teaching... Read More →
avatar for Justin Glodowski

Justin Glodowski

WCSS President, Marshfield HS
@jglo170 and @wcss1

Exhibitors
RI

Sunday March 17, 2019 3:45pm - 4:35pm CDT
Room III
  SS Pedagogy

3:45pm CDT

PBS LearningMedia – The Gateway to America’s Most Trusted Classroom
Limited Capacity seats available
Join PBS Digital Innovator All-Star, David Olson, to explore PBS LearningMedia. PBS LearningMedia offers access to thousands of free, innovative digital resources designed to enrich classroom instruction and build one-of-a-kind learning experiences!
In this session, you will learn how
• To leverage PBS's free digital resources
• Your students can create dynamic presentations using a digital storyboard that incorporates videos, graphics, and text
• To create media-rich lessons with an optional quiz feature
Speakers
avatar for Kristin Leglar

Kristin Leglar

Senior Education Specialist, PBS Wisconsin Education
Kristin Leglar is Senior Education Specialist at PBS Wisconsin. She is passionate about serving educators! Kristin sparks innovative teaching by sharing impactful, engaging media resources with you. Kristin received her Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education from the University... Read More →
DO

David Olson

Social Studies Department Chair, James Madison Memorial High School
I am a Studies Studies teacher and Department Chair at James Madison Memorial High School in Madison, WI. I teach Modern U.S. History, Criminal Justice and AP U.S. Government and Politics. I am part of the iCivics Educator Network, a Teacher Advisory Board member for the National... Read More →

Sunday March 17, 2019 3:45pm - 4:35pm CDT
Senate A
  Technology

3:45pm CDT

Access For All - Supporting Differentiation and Reading into Social Studies
Limited Capacity seats available
Uncover powerful tools that help all students understand informational text by connecting language and literacy to social studies.
Speakers
JP

Sunday March 17, 2019 3:45pm - 4:35pm CDT
Assembly
  World History, Extended Session

3:45pm CDT

The World History Lab: Possibilities for Document & Media Analysis
Limited Capacity seats available
The goal of this session is simply to highlight some methods and content possibilities that task students with interrogating and analyzing in meaningful ways in a collaborative laboratory setting. Social studies instruction often faced with the tradeoffs between direct instruction and inquiry, where teachers face the difficult balance between depth and broader narratives. This presentation will share a variety of room configurations, examples, and potential source materials that can flexibly get students engaged with documents and targeted media clips in time restricted situations. Additionally, we will explore ways in which the lab can be linked up with other phases of instruction. While the lessons discussed will reflect a high school World History class, the learning scenarios and methods are entirely interdisciplinary, and will hopefully stimulate some valuable professional discussion across all social studies subjects.
Speakers
avatar for John Kozlovich

John Kozlovich

Social Studies Instructor, Wausau West High School
John Kozlovich teaches social studies at Wausau West High School, and is also an adjunct instructor of American Government at Northcentral Technical College. He is a 2006 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Superior, where he studied History and Political Science. As an undergraduate... Read More →

Sunday March 17, 2019 3:45pm - 4:35pm CDT
Room II
  World History

4:35pm CDT

Wine and Cheese in the Exhibit Hall
Speakers
W

Sunday March 17, 2019 4:35pm - 6:00pm CDT
TBA

8:30pm CDT

WCSS PUB TRIVIA!
Limited Capacity seats available
Join  attendees for a rousing evening of pub trivia, WCSS style.  Come with a team, join one when you arrive, or try to make it a solo challenge.  Whatever, you choose, it's guaranteed to be challenging and fun!
Sunday March 17, 2019 8:30pm - 10:00pm CDT
THE BAR
 
Monday, March 18
 

7:00am CDT

BREAKFAST
Speakers
W

Monday March 18, 2019 7:00am - 7:45am CDT
TBA

8:00am CDT

KEYNOTE
Speakers
avatar for Eric Larsen

Monday March 18, 2019 8:00am - 9:00am CDT
Ballroom
  KEYNOTE

9:10am CDT

Projects in Standards-Based Grading
Limited Capacity seats available
Feedback Survey
The presentation will answer the questions of:
What do projects look like in Standards-Based Grading?
How can we include inquiry into Social Studies projects?
How do we increase literacy in Social Studies through projects?
Speakers
CH
CM

Exhibitors
C

Monday March 18, 2019 9:10am - 10:00am CDT
C/D
  Assessment

9:10am CDT

A Report Card for America
Limited Capacity seats available
It’s time to give America a report card from a student’s perspective through this inquiry based unit. Its 2019, how has America been progressing over the past two hundred plus years? In this unit students inquire about the goals for our country developed by the founding fathers, found in the Preamble and still driving America to continuously be improving and changing for the better. But where are we today in our progress as a country? In this unit, students learn and interpret these goals and then rate America’s progress. They create a grading system and support their grades with evidence from the past 232 years of American history. In this interactive unit students also find themselves role-playing as members of congress, showing civic responsibility by writing letters to congress, and expressing their view points on America.
Speakers
avatar for Jill Jones

Jill Jones

8th Grade U.S. History Teacher, Silver Lake Intermediate School
My name is Jill Jones and I have been a social studies teacher in the Oconomowoc Area School District for the past 29 years. Currently, I am teaching Part II of U.S. History which takes students through about a 100 years of time, beginning with a review of the American Revolution... Read More →

Monday March 18, 2019 9:10am - 10:00am CDT
Senate A
  Inquiry

9:10am CDT

Investigating Social Studies Through Inquiry
Limited Capacity filling up
Students learn best when engaged in active inquiry that integrates Social Studies content and real-world problem-based tasks. These tasks take specific shape in the Social Studies classroom to include Civic Discussions, Project-Based Learning, and DBQ Activities. Come to this session to experience a variety of inquiry models to engage students. We will model pedagogical strategies to support student experiences with inquiry that are collaborative, creative, experiential, exploratory, and evidence-based.
Speakers
DJ

Deborah Jones

Curriculum Specialist, Pearson

Monday March 18, 2019 9:10am - 10:00am CDT
Room II
  Inquiry

9:10am CDT

Wait you want me to think?!" Moving away from lecture to Inquiry-based Social Studies classroom
Limited Capacity full
A high school social studies teacher and an instructional coach endeavor to convert a Title 1 Social Studies curriculum to incorporate historical thinking skills, instructional technology, and the new WI Social Studies inquiry based standards. The goal is to develop assessments that push students to think critically, solve problems, and develop historical inquiry skills. This session will demonstrate how these teachers developed primary source analysis skills that better reflected student abilities by using tools such as Britannica LaunchPacs, Reading Like a Historian, and Google Tools for Education.
Speakers
avatar for Lindsey Bernhardt

Lindsey Bernhardt

US and AP World Teacher, Kenosha Unified
avatar for Sarah McLellan

Sarah McLellan

Instructional Coach, Kenosha Unified

Inquiry WCSS pptx
Monday March 18, 2019 9:10am - 10:00am CDT
A/B
  Inquiry

9:10am CDT

Ways of Knowing: Framing Inquiry in the Secondary Classroom
Limited Capacity seats available
This interactive session will introduce participants to how inquiry can be infused into the secondary social studies classroom. The audience will engage in the planning process for how to structure and plan an inquiry unit by focusing on authentic essential questions and drawing on discipline based concepts, skills, and vocabulary.
Speakers
VP

Vicki Porior

Instructional Support Teacher; 6-12 Social Studies, Oshkosh Area School District

Monday March 18, 2019 9:10am - 10:00am CDT
Room I
  Inquiry

9:10am CDT

Interdisciplinarity & The Big History Project
Limited Capacity seats available
No single discipline can know all there is to know about absolutely everything. It would be impossible to think of all the questions to ask, let alone have all the answers. Because the Big History Project (BHP) is a course that covers, well, just about everything, we go beyond a one-discipline approach. Historians, anthropologists, archaeologists, biologists, and astrophysicists are all crucial to helping us understand the history of the Universe, and where humans might be headed in the future. Let’s get hands-on with some BHP course activities that help students examine single events from multiple points of view. As you’ll soon see, inquiry is central to this endeavor!
Speakers
MW

Monday March 18, 2019 9:10am - 10:00am CDT
Senate B
  Interdisciplinary

9:10am CDT

Get Them Arguing!
Limited Capacity seats available
In this session, come see how argumentation is introduced and scaffolded to sixth grade students. For many students entering middle school, this is the first time students learn how to craft an argument, as elementary standards focus on opinion writing. This session will go over a model for teaching argument that is integrated with the students' English language arts class, provide resources to scaffold creation of a solid, evidence-based argument in social studies class, and different methods to get students arguing other than essays. While this session's content and resources are from a sixth grade classroom, they are applicable to any secondary teacher.
Speakers
avatar for Joey Kovnesky

Joey Kovnesky

6th Grade Literacy/Social Studies Teacher, Butler Middle School

Monday March 18, 2019 9:10am - 10:00am CDT
Room III
  SS Pedagogy

9:10am CDT

The Final Lesson
Limited Capacity seats available
After dozens and dozens of presentations at the state and national levels, I will present solo for the final time in a session that will highlight my best lessons, successful teaching tips and ideas, and suggestions for a successful teaching career. I will also present my final lesson, which is a series of life lessons one can learn by studying Social Studies. While this session is geared to all teachers of all levels, I recommend newer and pre-service teachers consider attending it. I will also give away many of my materials to those in attendance.
Speakers
MK

Monday March 18, 2019 9:10am - 10:00am CDT
Room IV
  SS Pedagogy

9:10am CDT

Mount Vernon Teacher Institute
Limited Capacity seats available
Join this session to find out how you can apply to participate in a Mount Vernon Teacher Institute. Discover the online resources that their website has to offer about Washingtons, the enslaved community, the French and Indian War and the American Revolution.
Speakers
RW

Rhonda Watton

8th Grade Social Studies and Reading Teacher/WCSS President, Templeton Middle School

Monday March 18, 2019 9:10am - 10:00am CDT
Room V
  US History

9:10am CDT

American Indian Studies in Wisconsin
Limited Capacity seats available
Explore and identify ways to deepen understanding of American Indian Studies of Wisconsin (often referred to as Wisconsin Act 31) content through texts and digital resources. Learn about ideas for implementing American Indian Studies content into practice while identifying and exploring selected resources and materials to integrate into teaching and learning or curriculum with students. Explore information about Wisconsin American Indian nations’ histories, treaties, sovereignty, and cultures.
Speakers
avatar for David O'Connor

David O'Connor

American Indian Studies Consultant, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
David O'Connor is originally from and is a member of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa (Ojibwe) in northern Wisconsin. In January 2012, he became the Education Consultant for the American Indian Studies Program at the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. In David’s... Read More →

Monday March 18, 2019 9:10am - 10:00am CDT
Assembly
  Wisconsin History

10:10am CDT

Game Changer: Learn Today, Engage Tomorrow!
Limited Capacity seats available
Come learn strategies today to level up engagement tomorrow. Together we will look at the blueprints of engagement with gamification. Using this easy and powerful framework you will make some game changing upgrades to your instruction. 
Speakers
avatar for Michael Matera

Michael Matera

Teacher, Explore Like a Pirate
Michael Matera has taught for more than a decade using interactive play, passion and purpose-driven learning to transform the classroom in international, public and private schools. He is a pioneer in the field of education, using gamification and technology to increase authentic... Read More →

Monday March 18, 2019 10:10am - 11:00am CDT
A/B

10:10am CDT

Civic Engagement in the Elementary School: A Voice for All
Limited Capacity seats available
This presentation will focus on ideas of how to approach the new Wisconsin Social Studies Standard that focuses on civic engagement. I will share ideas and examples that explore technology, pencil and paper, and student passion to ignite the passion and curiosity in all learners.  Invite the world...and they will come.  I hope you come and listen as well.  You probably have some great tips to add at the end.  Together we can grow ourselves even stronger!
Speakers
avatar for Wanda Kern

Wanda Kern

2nd Grade Teacher, Oshkosh Area School District
I'm a passionate educator and advocate for equity in classroom environments. I have worked at the same school for 22 years and have watched our poverty rate rise from 33% in 1996, to 77% now. Talk to me about social justice, civic engagement, creating authentic audiences, and incorporating... Read More →

OASD Slides Template (16:9) gslides
Monday March 18, 2019 10:10am - 11:00am CDT
Room I
  Civics

10:10am CDT

Free Global Resources from UW-Madison's Institute for Regional and International Studies
Limited Capacity seats available
UW-Madison's Institute for Regional and International Studies (IRIS) offers a variety of free, globally-focused resources for K-12 teachers. These include: professional development workshops, in-class presentations, on-campus presentations, authentic culture presentations, and others. IRIS is always looking for new partners and new collaborations!
Speakers
avatar for Nancy Heingartner

Nancy Heingartner

IRIS Assistant Director for Outreach, University of WI-Madison

Monday March 18, 2019 10:10am - 11:00am CDT
Room III
  Global Education

10:10am CDT

Curriculum Renewal and Design for Social Studies, Sun Prairie's Story
Limited Capacity seats available
Appropriate for educators, administrators and school board members, a team from the Sun Prairie Area School District will share how they moved to a new set of adopted standards, articulated the standards as a scope and sequence, and then adopted core resources consisting of rich children's literature as mentor texts at the elementary level, grades K-5. Our team worked to strike a balance between high expectations and flexibility for students while keeping our eye on equity.
Speakers
SM
TK
AD
JS
avatar for Rick Mueller

Rick Mueller

Elementary Principal, Sun Prairie Area School District

Monday March 18, 2019 10:10am - 11:00am CDT
Assembly
  SS Pedagogy

10:10am CDT

Exploring History and Culture through Games
Limited Capacity seats available
What better way to explore the connection between your students and the day to day lives of people in other cultures and time periods than the games we play! This presentation will introduce you to a number of popular games played in various cultures as well as games played throughout history. Some games are relatively well know, such as Mancala, while others are less well known, such as Pok-a-Tok the Meso-American ballgame; but each game is tailored to classroom use and student exploration. These games are a great, low-tech, way to connect your students to their global world as well as the past. Come to this session ready to play some games!
Speakers
JJ

John Jandrin

High School Teacher, Sturgeon Bay School District

Monday March 18, 2019 10:10am - 11:00am CDT
Senate B
  SS Pedagogy

10:10am CDT

Using Sports to Teach Social Studies
Limited Capacity seats available
The world of sports is full of geography, economics, history, politics and social issues. It is woven into pop culture and our everyday lives. Join us for concrete examples of lesson and project ideas including my created "Made Up _____ League" series, how to use a fantasy sports platform called FANschool to teach current events, and using sports as a launchpad for class discussions about complex topics like the right to protest the anthem and government financing of stadiums, or fun facts like President Trump's time as owner of a pro football team.
Speakers
avatar for John C Honish

John C Honish

Middle School Social Studies Teacher and International Educational Hip Hop Sensation, Waunakee Community Middle School
7th grade Social Studies Teacher at Waunakee Community Middle School living in DeForest, WI, formerly of Beloit, WI (7 years at Beloit Turner). Middle school is often the worst few years of a kid\\'s school experience... BUT IT DOESN\\'T HAVE TO BE!In school, I\\'m all about gameification... Read More →

Monday March 18, 2019 10:10am - 11:00am CDT
Senate A
  SS Pedagogy

10:10am CDT

Blended Learning: How to Flip Your Social Studies Classroom
Limited Capacity seats available
Join us to discuss how to leverage rich tech to make the most of the face-to-face time you have with your students.
Speakers
avatar for Ryan Bailey

Ryan Bailey

Content Specialist, Houghton Mifflin

Monday March 18, 2019 10:10am - 11:00am CDT
Room V
  Technology

10:10am CDT

Learning Beyond The Classroom
Limited Capacity seats available
Feedback Survey
Explore how to learn beyond your four walls by connecting with other schools, using Google Hangouts and Flipgrid. Build community by connecting with others through STEM activities, mystery hangouts and Flipgrid slow chats. Finally learn how to develop and share school news by fostering your own student news cast.
Speakers
avatar for Brittany Glad

Brittany Glad

Technology Integration Coach, Oshkosh Area School District, WI
avatar for Teri Rucinsky

Teri Rucinsky

Instructional Support Teacher: Media and Information Literacy, Oshkosh Area School District
 I am a new Media Specialist for the Oshkosh Area School District, working at both North High School and Lakeside Elementary School. I'm also the mom of some pretty amazing kids. I am a first time WEMTA participant.
avatar for Tanya Schmidt

Tanya Schmidt

Social Studies Curriculum Corrdinator, Oshkosh Area School District
One cool chick who digs technology, reading, history, and getting her fingernails dirty. Complex not controversial.If your only tool is a hammer, everything looks like a nail... we need not only more tools, but better ones to make the changes. ~AM

Exhibitors
RI

Monday March 18, 2019 10:10am - 11:00am CDT
Room IV
  Technology

10:10am CDT

Mettle & Honor, Wisconsin History Brought to Life
Limited Capacity seats available
History is full of facts and figures, important information providing a timeline for significant world, national and local events. But our book, "Mettle & Honor, Wisconsin Stories from the Battlefield," provides an important supplement to history education, personal accounts from Wisconsin veterans from World War Two to present day of what they endured physically and emotionally, risking their lives to serve our country. Were they frightened? Did war change them? How did they adjust to civilian life when their service ended? "Mettle & Honor" provides an insightful look at these often overlooked elements of military history. And since our book is based on video interviews, we'll also provide video links to each veteran's interview so students can see and hear these vets and get a sense of their personalities in addition to reading their stories. Our presentation to WCSS will cover all of these elements including samples of the veterans' stories.
Speakers
MC

Monday March 18, 2019 10:10am - 11:00am CDT
C/D
  WIsconsin History

10:10am CDT

Incorporating the new Behavioral Sciences standards into any social studies classroom
Limited Capacity filling up
The Wisconsin Standards for Social Studies include a strand that many people overlook: the Behavioral Sciences. There are four critical parts to the Behavioral Sciences strand – individual perception and identity, interactions between individuals and groups, culture, and technology. All of these are important for a robust study of social studies, no matter the grade level. Hear from a standards writing team member regarding this strand, its importance to social studies, and learn about resources coming from DPI and writing team members.
Speakers
avatar for Andy Riechers

Andy Riechers

Geography, History, and Sociology Teacher, Belmont Community School District

Monday March 18, 2019 10:10am - 11:00am CDT
Room II
  Wisconsin Standards

11:00am CDT

OPEN TIME IN THE EXHIBIT HALL
Speakers
W

Monday March 18, 2019 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT
TBA

11:00am CDT

WCSS AWARDS AND LUNCH
Speakers
W

Monday March 18, 2019 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT
TBA

12:10pm CDT

Rho Kappa National Honors Society: Recognizing Student Success in Social Studies
Limited Capacity seats available
Feedback Survey
Are you looking for a way to recognize student success in social studies? Are you a current Rho Kappa Advisor? Come learn more about the Rho Kappa National Social Studies Honor Society and the exciting new Rho Kappa Jr. Honor Society!
Speakers
IM
avatar for Jenny Morgan

Jenny Morgan

8th Grade US History Educator West Salem Middle School, NCSS Vice President
I'm the current WCSS Executive Director of External Affairs (the liaison between WCSS and NCSS).  I've chaired the Rho Kappa (national social studies honors society) Advisory Committee.  On July 1st, I became Vice President for NCSS.  Plan to join me in Boston in November 2024... Read More →

Exhibitors
RV

Monday March 18, 2019 12:10pm - 1:00pm CDT
Room V
  General

12:10pm CDT

Inquiry Based Learning in the Social Studies Classroom
Limited Capacity filling up
It often seems students have lost the "desire to inquire." Help develop these skills in your classroom by implementing inquiry based learning into your lessons. This student centered, collaborative and hands-on approach helps exercise the higher level reasoning and thinking skills the students needed. This approach often allows for personalized learning too. No matter the subject area, this session will provide you with approaches to tackle this in your classroom.
Speakers
avatar for Thomas Freesmeier

Thomas Freesmeier

Pilgrim Park Middle School
I have been an educator for 17 years and have my Masters degree in Teacher Leading and National Board Teaching Certification. I have taught students in 6-8 grade mostly in Social Studies. My “trial by fire” was teaching in an At-Risk program for 3 years. I had to be good all the... Read More →

Monday March 18, 2019 12:10pm - 1:00pm CDT
A/B
  Inquiry

12:10pm CDT

Isn’t Inquiry Always Interdisciplinary?
Limited Capacity seats available
Sailors and sea currents? Bubonic Plague and Body Systems? Properties of Matter and Properties of Civilization? Learn about the experience of two teachers who developed and implemented an inquiry-driven, integrated science and social studies curriculum at the 7th grade level. They will provide specific examples of student inquiry projects, text sets, and driving questions, as well as how the skills of collaboration, critical thinking, problem solving and accessing/analyzing information are intentionally taught. As a part of this session, time will be included to explore the C3 Inquiry Design Process and generate compelling, interdisciplinary questions that can drive unit creation in your own classroom.
Speakers
avatar for Jessica Leahy

Jessica Leahy

Whitefish Bay School District
avatar for Bizzy Schultz

Monday March 18, 2019 12:10pm - 1:00pm CDT
Senate B
  Inquiry

12:10pm CDT

The Other C3 Framework: Custom Core Content
Limited Capacity seats available
The new Inquiry Practices and Processes strand has been added to our state standards to reflect the C3 Framework. The next logical question after looking at the new standards is, “How can I integrate Inquiry into my curricular resources?” Newsela’s Custom Collections can help ignite student engagement to help solve this problem.

You already know that we publish 7-10 pieces of engaging content every day in five different reading levels. Now, Newsela wants to help you design a custom solution to support your curricular vision, instructional priorities, and best practices by bridging the gap between historical perspectives and relevant current events. We build the resource around your curriculum, not the other way around.

Come see how we’ve helped districts across the country, including Stevens Point Area School District, bring the C3 Framework and their Social Studies standards to life with our high-interest custom content.
Speakers
avatar for Mark Gallo

Mark Gallo

Mark Gallo             mark.gallo@newsela.comNewsela is a cross-curricular tool for students to master non-fiction. All articles are published at five reading levels with built-in assessments to engage K-12 students in high-interest nonfiction, covering current events, primary... Read More →

Monday March 18, 2019 12:10pm - 1:00pm CDT
Room IV
  Inquiry

12:10pm CDT

Using Student Choice to Make the Most of Your Content
Limited Capacity seats available
Too much content often results in too little learning, but deciding what to “leave out” can feel impossible. How can you help your students master all the essential skills and standards while still providing them with a robust knowledge of your course content? By allowing individual students to make choices about specific content for more in-depth examination, you can create lessons and units that give your students more meaningful exposure to the many events, people, and concepts that make up your social studies course.

This session will include ideas that lend themselves to all social social courses, and includes sample lessons for Global Studies, US History, and AP Psychology courses.
Speakers
avatar for Yedda Olson

Yedda Olson

Social Studies Teacher, Brillion High School
I teach 9th grade Global Studies, 11th Grade 20th Century US History, and AP Psychology.

Monday March 18, 2019 12:10pm - 1:00pm CDT
Room III
  SS Pedagogy

12:10pm CDT

“Thinking Like a Historian:” Shaping Elementary Social Studies Instruction Around the New Inquiry Standards
Limited Capacity seats available
Feedback Survey
This session will guide you through the new Wisconsin State Social Studies Standards, specifically the Inquiry and History Strands.

Student Engagement is a concern of most every educator. To enliven your elementary social studies instruction, come and hear about the standards-writing process, thinking behind the standards, and how we as elementary educators can begin implementation of these new standards by developing engaging lessons that address them.

Discussion to include: Thinking Like a Historian, Inquiry Cycle, Geo-Inquiry and resources that support these teaching practices.
Speakers
CM
avatar for Kevin J Podeweltz

Kevin J Podeweltz

4th Grade Teacher, D.C. Everest Area School District

Exhibitors
A

Monday March 18, 2019 12:10pm - 1:00pm CDT
Assembly
  SS Pedagogy, Elementary

12:10pm CDT

No Text Book? No Problem! Create Your Own with Actively Learn!
Limited Capacity seats available
When budget cuts lead to skipped textbook adoptions or limited resources, how do you guarantee quality content for your students to read? How do you balance covering key content, teaching and assessing skills, AND keeping students engaged? I found my answer with Actively Learn, and you can too! Come to learn, leave with a lesson ready to go!
Speakers
avatar for Erin Patchak

Erin Patchak

Middle School Social Studies and Reading Intervention Teacher, Bay View Middle School Howard-Suamico School District
I have been teaching 7th and 8th grade social studies and reading intervention at Bay View Middle School in the Howard-Suamico School District for 15 years. I serve as Social Studies Department Head, District Peer Coach, and a District Curriculum Team Representative. I LOVE bringing... Read More →

Monday March 18, 2019 12:10pm - 1:00pm CDT
C/D
  Technology

12:10pm CDT

Using Primary Sources to Highlight Women in U.S. History
Limited Capacity seats available
In this session, we will discuss the latest scholarship and the importance of teaching women's history in U.S. History classes. One effective way to integrate women's history is to analyze primary sources written by women. Participants will receive several classroom-tested primary source lesson plans that incorporate women's voices into the narrative of U.S. History.
Speakers
avatar for Christine Kadonsky

Christine Kadonsky

Teacher, Wausau West High School
I have taught U.S. History to ninth grade students in my hometown of Wausau since 2001. I enjoy team teaching and facilitating group discussions in my classroom. I believe in the importance of student analysis of primary sources. In the summers, I enjoy participating in teacher... Read More →

Monday March 18, 2019 12:10pm - 1:00pm CDT
Room II
  US History

12:10pm CDT

Using the 1880 Census Report to Learn about a Kansas Community on the Great Plains
Limited Capacity seats available
This presentation will focus on using census reports in the social studies classroom to learn about a community in Kansas in 1880. The census report enables students to learn a great deal of information about a community's past by viewing the primary source first-hand in the classroom. Students can learn about the occupations found in a rural community on the Great Plains. Additionally, identify which percentage of the community's population was born in another state rather than Kansas. Students can also discover what percentage of the community's population was foreign-born. In addition, students can identify the age of each resident of the community and examine trends that emerge from the census report. Finally, the presenter will share tips on how to organize and implement the census report activity in the classroom. There are many opportunities to replicate this lesson to investigate the history of communities throughout Wisconsin and our nation.
Speakers
SS

Scott Scheuerell

Education, Loras College

Monday March 18, 2019 12:10pm - 1:00pm CDT
Room I
  US History

12:10pm CDT

"Dinner with the Past": Implementing the new standards into curriculum
Limited Capacity seats available
Ever wonder how to get through content in a way that is engaging and relevant to your students? Or are you looking for that one diamond in the rough project that will knock the socks of your students and administration? If so, this presentation is for you!
This engaging, fast-past presentation will showcase the incorporation of the new social studies standards (with focus on the new inquiry strand) into curriculum with an example unit project called "Dinner with the Past".
In addition, educators will be provided new strategies, methods, and even how to implement some Academic and Career Planning (ACP) standards into social studies.
It will be a jammed packed session guaranteed to have educators on the edge of their seats and leave with something valuable to use! Don't miss out!
Speakers
avatar for Jen Wachowski

Jen Wachowski

High School Social Studies, Mishicot High School
I have worked within the Mishicot School District for 15 years. To describe me, I am a very passionate and dedicated learner and teacher of history. My mission is to provide a historical learning environment that invites my students to experience history as stories waiting to be... Read More →

Monday March 18, 2019 12:10pm - 1:00pm CDT
Senate A
  Wisconsin Standards

1:10pm CDT

Teaching Economics in the 21st Century Classroom
Limited Capacity seats available
How to make connections between the theories and practices in economics today and our 21st century students. Essentially, why should kids learn about economics and how does this show up in their daily lives? We can teach kids how to interpret the world they live in and identify the many ways they have economic impact on our society today.
Speakers
avatar for Michael Horne

Michael Horne

U.S. History, Economics, AP Economics, Criminal Justice, U.S. Government Teacher, School District of Waukesha
The world of social studies is so important for each generation and we need to do everything in our power to make sure our students are ready to meet the challenges of being a U.S. Citizen in the 21st Century and beyond!

Monday March 18, 2019 1:10pm - 2:00pm CDT
Senate A
  Economics

1:10pm CDT

Replenish Your Social Studies Toolbox
Limited Capacity full
Want to add some new tools to your teaching toolbox, and find out how to repurpose some old tools?  Join this fast paced session that offers high-tech, low-tech, and no-tech ideas to integrate into your class - tomorrow!  See some new platforms and experience a twist on old techniques to enhance instruction, foster critical and creative thinking, and increase engagement. Plus ... we should have a good time!
Speakers
avatar for Chuck Taft

Chuck Taft

History Guy, University School of Milwaukee
I try (heavy on the try) to make the nation's past come alive for my 8th grade young historians through enthusiasm, activity, technology, and humor - and then share those techniques with teachers of all ages and disciplines. It's all about making social studies matter. Bottom line... Read More →

Monday March 18, 2019 1:10pm - 2:00pm CDT
A/B
  General

1:10pm CDT

Bridging Two Worlds: Lodi High Schools Thailand Exchange and Distance Education Programs
Limited Capacity seats available
Feedback Survey
Come learn about the incredible Lodi School District student exchange and distance education programs. In the spring of 2008, then district Superintendent Mike Shimshak hosted Supannachaht Plang-ngoen who attended the Sunrise Program (a DPI sponsored conference to facilitate connection between countries). Over coffee and a handshake the two agreed to begin a formal sister-school relationship between Lodi High School and Sa-nguan Ying school in Suphanburi, Thailand. In October, 2008 nine students and three staff made the first journey to Thailand and the following year Lodi welcomed 10 students and five adults from our sister school. The exchange has continued without interruption and continues today. In 2011, the two schools added to their connection through DPI accredited distance education classes, with Lodi students taking Cultural Geography of Southeast Asia and Thai students taking U.S. History. Our presentation will showcase these two unique programs.
Speakers
avatar for John P. Fassbender

John P. Fassbender

Teacher, Lodi High School
AP/World History Teacher, Leadership Council Co-Advisor, Co-coordinator Thailand Exchange Program
MC

Exhibitors
RI

Monday March 18, 2019 1:10pm - 2:00pm CDT
Room IV
  Global Education

1:10pm CDT

C3 for K-3! Develop Questions, Apply Tools, Evaluate Evidence and Take Informed Action in Elementary Social Studies!
Limited Capacity seats available
You CAN teach elementary with primary sources and provide hands-on experiences through a C3 lens! This hands-on session includes informed action strategies and all the dimensions of the inquiry arc. Prepare students to be engaged young citizens in a way that is hands-on, memorable and fun! In this workshop we will combine primary sources, hands-on experiences and even a comic strip with reading, writing, critical thinking, speaking and listening skills. For all of us who have trouble finding time to teach social studies and must combine it with ELA, we’ve got you covered! Free lesson take-away.
Speakers
LK

Monday March 18, 2019 1:10pm - 2:00pm CDT
Assembly
  Inquiry, Elementary

1:10pm CDT

It's a Girl - The Three Most Dangerous Word in the World
Limited Capacity seats available
Every person deserves the opportunity to learn, to dream, and to live a life without fear -Suzie Ivelich. Building off the issues of gendercide, access to education, arranged marriages, and much more, this session will address the status of “girls” in the world. Working from readings, primary documents, documentaries, and presenter’s personal work in developing nations, participants will foster an understanding of key issues, teaching strategies, resources, and links to National, State, and Human Rights standards. Inquiry method lessons will be demonstrated.
Speakers
avatar for Melissa Collum

Melissa Collum

Professor of Education, Viterbo Univerisy
I teach in the CORE Curriculum Department at Viterbo Univeristy in La Crosse Wisconsin. I am the faculty lead of the VUSM 400/ Living the Ethical Life and teach courses in Servant Leadership, Ethics, First Year Seminar, Social Studies Methods, Global Education, and Holocaust and Modern... Read More →

Monday March 18, 2019 1:10pm - 2:00pm CDT
Room III
  Social Issues

1:10pm CDT

A Creative Curriculum for a Crowded World
Limited Capacity seats available
World population has more than doubled in the past 50 years, changing earth’s landscape and impacting the global environment. Understanding population trends and human-environmental interactions is central to the study of human geography, but is also cross-disciplinary. In this hands-on session, participants will discover lessons rich in content, real-world data and problem-solving that integrate life sciences with world history and geography.

Presented activities explore human population growth, climate change, changes in biodiversity and land use. Activity formats include data analysis and interpretation, modeling and group problem-solving. The presenter will also engage the group with new online media that combines social science platforms (mapping and historical timelines) with environmental themes. Participants will receive lesson plans and background readings in an electronic format, matched to the C3 Framework.
Speakers
HA

Howard Aprill

Park Naturalist, Wehr Nature Center

Monday March 18, 2019 1:10pm - 2:00pm CDT
C/D
  SS Pedagogy

1:10pm CDT

Jo Wilder and the Capitol Case – A Wisconsin Historical Inquiry Adventure Game
Limited Capacity seats available
Immerse your students in critical thinking and historical inquiry with Jo Wilder and the Capitol Case, a digital interactive game set in and around the Wisconsin State Capitol. Come to this session to learn how your students can play the game and hunt for clues, corroborate evidence and piece together logical arguments to solve mysteries from Wisconsin history. The game was designed to meet Wisconsin's 3rd-5th grade social studies and English language arts standards.


Speakers
avatar for Kristin Leglar

Kristin Leglar

Senior Education Specialist, PBS Wisconsin Education
Kristin Leglar is Senior Education Specialist at PBS Wisconsin. She is passionate about serving educators! Kristin sparks innovative teaching by sharing impactful, engaging media resources with you. Kristin received her Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education from the University... Read More →
avatar for Peter Michaud

Peter Michaud

Fifth Grade Teacher, Reagan Elementary School
History and geography Rock.

Monday March 18, 2019 1:10pm - 2:00pm CDT
Room II
  SS Pedagogy

1:10pm CDT

Simulations in Social Studies
Limited Capacity full
Think about your favorite days when you were a student in Science class. It was always the lab day where you got to DO science in a hands-on setting. Social Studies students wish for the same hands-on level of instruction. This session could be tailored to any age of instruction and is for the Social Studies educator who is looking for their students to get out of their seat and be ENGAGED in the practice of Social Studies rather than just read about it.
Speakers
KB

Monday March 18, 2019 1:10pm - 2:00pm CDT
Room I
  SS Pedagogy

1:10pm CDT

A Virtual Visit to Thomas Jefferson's Monticello
Limited Capacity seats available
Take part in an Electronic Field Trip to Thomas Jefferson's Monticello with alumni of the Monticello Teacher Institute. Virtually meet with educators at Monticello to learn about free resources for your classroom, how to approach the complexities of teaching slavery, and onsite opportunities. See how your students can tour the house and grounds of Jefferson's "little mountain" and talk with experts to learn about his life, contributions, and how his ideas shape our world today.
Speakers
LC
avatar for Daniel Hoppe

Daniel Hoppe

AP U.S. History and AP Government Teacher, Stevens Point Area Senior High (SPASH)
I am looking forward to presenting a wide variety of workshops at this years WCSS State Conference. I have taught AP U.S. History, AP U.S. Government and Politics and AP Comparative Government for many years along with a wide variety of other unique social studies classes. I will... Read More →

Monday March 18, 2019 1:10pm - 2:00pm CDT
Room V
  US History

2:15pm CDT

KEYNOTE
Speakers
avatar for Mary Beth Tinker

Monday March 18, 2019 2:15pm - 3:15pm CDT
Ballroom
  KEYNOTE
 
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