Social Studies and Technology
Social Studies provides students with the knowledge and skills they need to live and work in a complex world. By understanding history and the foundations of government, students will be prepared to take an active role as citizens. Technology offers invaluable resources for both students and teachers to enliven and enrich their understanding of the world around them.
Voices and Choices Series
Social Studies for our 21st Century Democracy
Voices and Choices is an innovative middle school social studies curriculum and professional development program. Focused on core social studies concepts and skills, Voices and Choices supports teachers and engages students in an interactive learning environment where they conduct structured inquiry that incorporates role play, debate, authentic research, writing and oral presentation. The curriculum is aligned to national standards for Social Studies.
The series provides three comprehensive teaching units for the 6th, 7th and 8th grades.
Democracy in Ancient Greece
 Democracy in Ancient Greece introduces students to civic responsibility through an exploration of life in ancient Greece, the role of democracy in the Athenian Assembly and important issues debated at that time.
Constitution Today
 Constitution Today introduces students to civic responsibility through an exploration of the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the role of democracy in the United States and issues of importance to students around the country.
Civil Rights
 Civil Rights introduces students to contributions different social movements have made to our democracy. Students research primary sources, investigate methods for social resistance, and apply lessons learned to a current day civil rights campaign.
Today's Teaching Tools [+]
By logging on to each of the program websites, teachers gain access to a complete set of lesson plans, accompanying classroom visuals and their own classroom blog, a user-friendly area where they can collect and evaluate student work and help students publish for a real online audience. Technology-based resources are also provided for students. Their learning is scaffolded with amusing animated shorts and a series of curriculum-based multimedia activities and tutorials that are instructionally on track and, at the same time, highly motivating to high-tech youth.
Professional Development [+]
Teaching Matters provides a comprehensive professional development program to accompany the model instructional units. Our professional development support includes introductory and advanced workshops for the entire social studies department as well as regular in-class coaching and support for up to five teachers. Onsite professional development support is customized to the needs of each teacher and may include help in managing active learning in a technology-rich classroom, differentiating instruction, technology-enhanced assessment, and general program implementation.
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