For Teachers
"Education is the most powerful weapon which can be used to change the world." ...Nelson Mandela Edmond teachers are encouraged to utilize the services of the Curriculum Office, located at the Edmond Administration Building, 1001 West Danforth. Contact Pam Merrill, Curriculum Consultant, for assistance, materials, and supplemental resources. Call 340-2209 or email pam.merrill@edmondschools.net “Top Ten” frequently asked questions from teachers: 1. Are there new ideas to supplement the textbook used for my class? Yes. The Curriculum Office maintains numerous files of units and individual lesson plans in print format for use by Edmond teachers. These supplemental materials were purchased exclusively for use by Edmond teachers and are the products of outstanding work done by non-profit, educational organizations, as well as by our own experienced classroom teachers. Any teacher is welcome to browse through the files and xerox desired lessons OR request a copy of lessons to be sent through our interschool mail system. 2. Where can I find a list of available lessons? That’s easy! For all teachers, grades K-12, a resource folder can be found on their classroom computers. Within this folder is a master list of all print lessons available for teachers to access. To find this folder, go to the “F” drive, “Public” folder, “Curriculum” folder, “Resource” folder, then your own “Grade Level/Subject folder”. Here, for elementary teachers, the “List of Lessons” can be found. For secondary teachers, the “STEPS Handbook for Teachers” (“Introduction” folder) contains the “List of Lessons” for each middle and high school subject. 3. Do we have special resources for utilizing computer technology in my classroom? Yes! Through the efforts of the Curriculum Consultant and our own Edmond teachers, we have many new resources for integrating computer technology in your classroom, as well as teaching computer skills to your students. Currently, we have created resource folders for every grade level (3-12) with effective and thought-provoking instructional materials, including powerpoint presentations for teacher-centered instruction and class discussions, webquests for student investigations in site computer labs or home studies, and computer-based projects for students. (To access these materials, go to the “F” drive, “Public” folder, “Curriculum” folder, “Resource” folder, then “Grade/Subject” folder on your school computer.) 4. How can I schedule guest speakers for my classroom? That’s easy, too! Just call our office and we’ll recommend several local individuals from universities, non-profit educational and community organizations, and museums who regularly visit our schools and provide exceptional opportunities for students to interact with professionals and experts in given fields of study. In addition, the Social Studies Curriculum Consultant is available to serve as a guest speaker in your classroom. Pam Merrill is prepared to speak on a variety of topics from our 3rd to 12th grade programs. She is also available for site in-service training. (For a list of topics, go to the webpage in this site, titled “On-Site Services.” 5. Do we have special videos or documentaries which can be accessed for classroom use? Yes, of course your own site’s media center contains many outstanding videos, however, there are others available for checkout from the Social Studies Curriculum Office. (To access a list of these videos and documentaries, go to the same folders on your “f” drive as discussed in question #2.) Also, we are fortunate to have a most resourceful and helpful individual coordinating our Indian Education Program. Sydna Yellowfish is available to offer ideas, expert advice, and resources should you be needing additional materials regarding Native American history or contemporary issues involving Native Americans. Please be sure to access her extensive library of teacher resources. You may reach her by calling the Indian Education Office at 340-2916 or email her at sydna_yellowfish@edmondschools.net 6. How can I get more involved as a professional within the Social Studies community of teachers? That’s easy! In Oklahoma, we have several organizations that provide professional growth, travel, and educational opportunities for social studies teachers. You are encouraged to join the Oklahoma Council for Social Studies ($25.00 annual membership fee), or the National Council for Social Studies ($60 annual membership fee), the Oklahoma Council of History Educators (OKCHE, $30 annual membership fee), OKAGE (the Oklahoma Alliance for Geography Education, free membership), or the Oklahoma Historical Society, or the Oklahoma Council for Economic Education (free membership). In addition, Edmond has a very active Social Studies Vertical Team of teachers, grades 5-12. If you are interested in serving and wish more information, contact the Social Studies Curriculum Office at 340-2209. 7. Are there professional meetings I should attend throughout the year? Yes, there are several opportunities. First of all, the Curriculum Office responds to the requests of teachers by presenting one-hour, after-school workshops for teachers. These are usually designed for specific grade levels or subjects, but all are announced through emails to individual teachers and principals. Secondly, our local and state organizations offer teacher-training throughout the year. for example, OCSS offers an annual fall and winter state conference for teachers on Saturdays in the Oklahoma City metro area. The Oklahoma Bar Association offers summer and fall workshops for its programs; and OKAGE offers periodic one-day workshops during the year, as well as summer institutes. Several universities offer one-time opportunities for teachers. The best way to keep informed about these opportunities is to check their websites regularly, and read your interschool emails of opportunities announced through the Curriculum Office. 8. How can I keep up-to-date about new ideas, new resources, workshops, and services offered? That’s easy, too! Just keep reading your school email! Every opportunity that arises for teachers in Edmond, every new resource added to our collection, each workshop and presentation scheduled will be posted in special emails to teachers. If there are additional resources you wish the Curriculum Office to provide, email is the quickest, most efficient means of meeting your needs. Just contact Pam Merrill, Curriculum Specialist. 9. Is there one great place where I can locate support organizations, teacher and student opportunities, and free resources? Yes, there is! The finest repository of information and opportunities can be found on the website of our largest national organization of social studies teachers, the National Council for the Social Studies. Its “DATA BANK” webpage lists every major national and international organization dedicated to promoting the social sciences: http://www.socialstudies.org/links/ 10. What about research? Where can I locate timely articles and publications about the latest research on social studies instruction? That’s easy, too! Through emails and the on-going studies of the district Social Studies Vertical Team, we will be bringing you information and ideas from the latest research on curriculum and instruction in our field. However, if you would like to access a comprehensive source of past journals and research publications, there is no better source than the NCSS website: Publications’ Page http://www.socialstudies.org/publications/ Media Page http://www.socialstudies.org/media/. Constitution Day- September 17th Most Americans know that July 4th is our nation's birthday. Far fewer Americans know that September 17th is the birthday of our government, the date in 1787 on which delegates to the Philadelphia Convention completed and signed the U.S. Constitution. President George W. Bush signed a bill on December 8th, 2004 (public law 108-447) which designates every September 17th as Constitution Day. In 2005, Senator Robert Byrd accomplished a long-standing goal, passing a law designating September 17th as Constitution Day. Schools and federal agencies are required to hold educational programs on the Constitution on Constitution Day. Edmond Public Schools is proud of a tradition of teaching the history and principles of the Constitution in our Social Studies Program. We look forward to commemorating the anniversary of its signing this September 17th. For more information or teaching resources about Constitution Day, access the websites below: http://www.constitutioncenter.org/ http://www.okcss.org More About Constitution Day... On September 17, 1787, the 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention held their final meeting. Only one item of business occupied the agenda that day, to sign the Constitution of the United States of America. Since May 14, 1787 the 55 delegates had gathered almost daily in the State House in Philadelphia to revise the Articles of Confederation. By the middle of June, it became apparent to the delegates that to merely amend the Articles of Confederation would not be sufficient. Instead, they would write an entirely new document designed to clearly define and separate the powers of the central government, the powers of the states, the rights of the people and how the representatives of the people should be elected. After being signed in September of 1787, Congress sent printed copies of the Constitution to the state legislatures for ratification. In the months that followed, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton and John Jay would write the Federalist Papers in support, while Patrick Henry, Elbridge Gerry, and George Mason would organize the opposition to the new Constitution. By June 21, 1788, nine states had approved the Constitution, finally forming "a more perfect Union." No matter how much debate its meaning today, in the opinion of many, the Constitution signed in Philadelphia on September 17, 1787 represents the greatest expression of statesmanship and compromise ever written. In just four hand-written pages, the Constitution gives us no less than the owners' manual to the greatest form of government the world has ever known. Holidays and Special Commemorations Chart
“Top Ten” frequently asked questions from teachers:
1. Are there new ideas to supplement the textbook used for my class? Yes. The Curriculum Office maintains numerous files of units and individual lesson plans in print format for use by Edmond teachers. These supplemental materials were purchased exclusively for use by Edmond teachers and are the products of outstanding work done by non-profit, educational organizations, as well as by our own experienced classroom teachers. Any teacher is welcome to browse through the files and xerox desired lessons OR request a copy of lessons to be sent through our interschool mail system. 2. Where can I find a list of available lessons? That’s easy! For all teachers, grades K-12, a resource folder can be found on their classroom computers. Within this folder is a master list of all print lessons available for teachers to access. To find this folder, go to the “F” drive, “Public” folder, “Curriculum” folder, “Resource” folder, then your own “Grade Level/Subject folder”. Here, for elementary teachers, the “List of Lessons” can be found. For secondary teachers, the “STEPS Handbook for Teachers” (“Introduction” folder) contains the “List of Lessons” for each middle and high school subject. 3. Do we have special resources for utilizing computer technology in my classroom? Yes! Through the efforts of the Curriculum Consultant and our own Edmond teachers, we have many new resources for integrating computer technology in your classroom, as well as teaching computer skills to your students. Currently, we have created resource folders for every grade level (3-12) with effective and thought-provoking instructional materials, including powerpoint presentations for teacher-centered instruction and class discussions, webquests for student investigations in site computer labs or home studies, and computer-based projects for students. (To access these materials, go to the “F” drive, “Public” folder, “Curriculum” folder, “Resource” folder, then “Grade/Subject” folder on your school computer.) 4. How can I schedule guest speakers for my classroom? That’s easy, too! Just call our office and we’ll recommend several local individuals from universities, non-profit educational and community organizations, and museums who regularly visit our schools and provide exceptional opportunities for students to interact with professionals and experts in given fields of study. In addition, the Social Studies Curriculum Consultant is available to serve as a guest speaker in your classroom. Pam Merrill is prepared to speak on a variety of topics from our 3rd to 12th grade programs. She is also available for site in-service training. (For a list of topics, go to the webpage in this site, titled “On-Site Services.” 5. Do we have special videos or documentaries which can be accessed for classroom use? Yes, of course your own site’s media center contains many outstanding videos, however, there are others available for checkout from the Social Studies Curriculum Office. (To access a list of these videos and documentaries, go to the same folders on your “f” drive as discussed in question #2.) Also, we are fortunate to have a most resourceful and helpful individual coordinating our Indian Education Program. Sydna Yellowfish is available to offer ideas, expert advice, and resources should you be needing additional materials regarding Native American history or contemporary issues involving Native Americans. Please be sure to access her extensive library of teacher resources. You may reach her by calling the Indian Education Office at 340-2916 or email her at sydna_yellowfish@edmondschools.net 6. How can I get more involved as a professional within the Social Studies community of teachers? That’s easy! In Oklahoma, we have several organizations that provide professional growth, travel, and educational opportunities for social studies teachers. You are encouraged to join the Oklahoma Council for Social Studies ($25.00 annual membership fee), or the National Council for Social Studies ($60 annual membership fee), the Oklahoma Council of History Educators (OKCHE, $30 annual membership fee), OKAGE (the Oklahoma Alliance for Geography Education, free membership), or the Oklahoma Historical Society, or the Oklahoma Council for Economic Education (free membership). In addition, Edmond has a very active Social Studies Vertical Team of teachers, grades 5-12. If you are interested in serving and wish more information, contact the Social Studies Curriculum Office at 340-2209. 7. Are there professional meetings I should attend throughout the year? Yes, there are several opportunities. First of all, the Curriculum Office responds to the requests of teachers by presenting one-hour, after-school workshops for teachers. These are usually designed for specific grade levels or subjects, but all are announced through emails to individual teachers and principals. Secondly, our local and state organizations offer teacher-training throughout the year. for example, OCSS offers an annual fall and winter state conference for teachers on Saturdays in the Oklahoma City metro area. The Oklahoma Bar Association offers summer and fall workshops for its programs; and OKAGE offers periodic one-day workshops during the year, as well as summer institutes. Several universities offer one-time opportunities for teachers. The best way to keep informed about these opportunities is to check their websites regularly, and read your interschool emails of opportunities announced through the Curriculum Office. 8. How can I keep up-to-date about new ideas, new resources, workshops, and services offered? That’s easy, too! Just keep reading your school email! Every opportunity that arises for teachers in Edmond, every new resource added to our collection, each workshop and presentation scheduled will be posted in special emails to teachers. If there are additional resources you wish the Curriculum Office to provide, email is the quickest, most efficient means of meeting your needs. Just contact Pam Merrill, Curriculum Specialist. 9. Is there one great place where I can locate support organizations, teacher and student opportunities, and free resources? Yes, there is! The finest repository of information and opportunities can be found on the website of our largest national organization of social studies teachers, the National Council for the Social Studies. Its “DATA BANK” webpage lists every major national and international organization dedicated to promoting the social sciences: http://www.socialstudies.org/links/ 10. What about research? Where can I locate timely articles and publications about the latest research on social studies instruction? That’s easy, too! Through emails and the on-going studies of the district Social Studies Vertical Team, we will be bringing you information and ideas from the latest research on curriculum and instruction in our field. However, if you would like to access a comprehensive source of past journals and research publications, there is no better source than the NCSS website: Publications’ Page http://www.socialstudies.org/publications/ Media Page http://www.socialstudies.org/media/.
Holidays and Special Commemorations Chart