R O C H E S T E R C I T Y S C H O O L D I S T R I C T
VOLUME 2, ISSUE 8
APRIL 2010 ROCHESTER REVIEW
SOCIAL STUDIES NEWSLETTER
Geography, Literacy, and Art in Geography, Literacy, and Art in Geography, Literacy, and Art in Geography, Literacy, and Art in
the Elementary Gradesthe Elementary Gradesthe Elementary Gradesthe Elementary Grades
The Social Studies Department is collaborating with
the New York Geographic Alliance to present this
workshop to share lessons and resources on the
integration of Literacy, Geography and Art into the
literacy block. Teachers will leave with practical
lessons to use in their classrooms. There will be
breakouts for primary and intermediate grades. This
session will take place at the Memorial Art Gallery
from 4:15-6:15 PM on April 29, 2010. Teachers can
register on Avatar now!
The Society for Historians of the Early American
Republic will be holding its annual conference in
Rochester this summer July 22 – 25. This event is
the largest national gathering of scholars dedicated
to exploring the events and the meaning of United
States history between 1776 and 1861. RCSD
teachers are invited to attend sessions. More
information is at http://faculty.chass.ncsu.edu/
ctfriend/SHEAR1.htm.
Think Like Archaeologists Think Like Archaeologists Think Like Archaeologists Think Like Archaeologists
The Rochester Museum and Science Center along
with St. John Fisher College is offering a free
continuing education workshop on teaching kids to
think like archaeologists. The experience will take
place on June 29th and 30th at the RMSC (8AM -
5PM). Teachers of grades 7 through 9 in the
Rochester City School District are being given first
priority. For more information on workshop
content, email or call [email protected],
585.281.3821 (Kristi Krumrine, Adjunct
Professor,Department of Anthropology,St. John
Fisher College). To apply, call: 585.697.1942
(RMSCMember and Visitor Services Division)
Student Trip to GhanaStudent Trip to GhanaStudent Trip to GhanaStudent Trip to Ghana
Students will be
selected to participate
in “A Journey to the
Motherland” Program.
Current 9th - 11th
graders will be eligible
to apply for this 10-day
experience in Ghana, West Africa, April 15-25,
2011. Students will have the opportunity to visit the
continent of Africa and be introduced to various
aspects of life and learn about Ghana’s history,
economy, the arts, culture, social changes and
political developments. This experience will offer a
non-traditional educational experience as the best
means of dispelling some, if not all, the stereotypes
developed in Western societies about the life and
culture of Africans. More information and an
application are attached to this newsletter. Please
promote this opportunity with your students.
As we begin the second decade of the twenty-first
century, the law is changing dramatically as it seeks
to shape and adapt to new conditions. Economic
markets are becoming global, transactions require
cultural adaptation and understanding, populations
are more mobile, and communication technologies
such as the Internet bridge distances and time zones
to form new communities around the world. Law
Day 2010 provides us with an opportunity to
understand and appreciate the emerging challenges
and enduring traditions of law in the 21st century.
Visit the New York State Bar Association website
for Law Day 2010 resources: http://www.nysba.org/
Content/NavigationMenu/PublicResources/
LawYouthCitizenshipProgram/LawDay2010/
Law_Day_2010.htm
From the Director… Dear Rochester Community, This week we hosted documentarian and sculptor Jonathan Fein, creator and producer of the documentary Objects and Memory. Students at Marshall and Freddie Thomas High Schools participated in an interactive workshop in which they discussed the questions, “How do we know when history is happening? What makes history? How do objects take on significance following an historic event?” The documentary is available for loan by contacting me via email. It would be an appropriate addition to any U.S. or World History classroom, particularly as you study the 20th century events of the Vietnam War and events of 9/11/2001. Oral history projects are a wonderful way to engage our students in making connections with the past. Students can interview a relative or significant adult about their first historical memory, or, about a memory that changed their life or perspective. These interviews can be transcribed by the students and digitally recorded and incorporated into a media project in which students present their own “documentaries” about these significant events and their impact on everyday Americans. Consider ending the school year with such a project.
SAVE THE DATES!! May 12, 2010– Citywide Mock Trial– Hall of Justice, 99 Exchange Blvd., 5:30 p.m.
May 19, 2010– Quilts Project Gala Celebration and Reveal~RMSC~6 p.m.
June 3, 2010– Rochester Area Council for the Social Studies– Annual dinner and awards meeting
Join your colleagues from across the region for a lively discussion of the question, “What if there were no Regents Exams in Global History and Geography or United States History?” The pros and cons of
standardized testing, the impact on teaching and learning in the social studies classroom, and the positive and negative potential consequences of removing the Regents exams in Social Studies will be debated by the panelists. Confirmed presenters include: Dr. William Cala, Former Rochester City and Fairport Schools Superintendent & current Professor at Nazareth College; Dr. Kevin Meuwissen, Assistant Professor of
Education, University of Rochester; Dr. S.G. Grant, Dean of School of Education, SUNY Binghamton, and possible appearance from Regent Wade Norwood.
Writing ConferencingWriting ConferencingWriting ConferencingWriting Conferencing
Writing is one of the most
meaningful tasks students take
on in Social Studies classes.
It is really the highest level of
thinking; students must create meaning out of the
knowledge they possess. While it is a critical skill
and telling form of assessment, it is often the hardest
task for our students. While it takes a lot of time,
conferencing with students individually about their
writing is one of the most effective ways to provide
feedback and increase student skill. Here are some
tips for conducting effective writing conferences
with students…
• Sit side-by-side or at adjacent corners so you
can look at the paper together.
• Start by asking the writer if he/she has any
specific questions that he/she needs help
with.
• Try reading the paper out loud. Sometimes
a student will hear something that " doesn't
sound right" and you can talk about it.
• You may wish to make some notes on the
paper during the conference, but make sure
that students retain responsibility and
control over their own writing.
• Focus on a few key areas for feedback;
don't feel you must discuss every "problem".
• When faced with a paper that has numerous
grammar or mechanics problems, try to find a
pattern of significant error.
• Whenever possible, use "I"
language in your comments;
e.g., "I wasn't sure what you
meant by this sentence" instead of
"This is confusing"
Rochester’s Teaching American History Grants
The RCSD currently has two federal Teaching American History grants: Teachers as
Historians for secondary teachers, and Elementary Historians, for K-6 teachers. The
TAH Lead Teachers are always available to help and support you and your students
whenever needed. Please, do not hesitate to contact one of us if you need anything.
Teachers as Historians Summer Teachers as Historians Summer Teachers as Historians Summer Teachers as Historians Summer
InstituteInstituteInstituteInstitute
We are currently planning our TAH Summer
institute for secondary Social Studies teachers. The
institute will take place during the week of July 19th
with a final session on August 11. The focus of this
summer’s work will be on Native American history,
culture, and identity. Teacher participants will hear
from expert historians and visit historical sites and
exhibits such as Ganondagan, Fort Stanwix (Rome,
NY), and the Rochester Museum and Science
Center. More information about the week’s
activities and registration will be available soon.
A Successful Year for Elementary A Successful Year for Elementary A Successful Year for Elementary A Successful Year for Elementary
HistoriansHistoriansHistoriansHistorians
Thank you to each of you that participated in the
Elementary Historians Program this year. It has
been a pleasure working with you. We were able to
work with over 100 elementary teachers. We have
enjoyed getting to know each of you.
Next years’ program will focus on the foundations
of American Government. Please consider joining
us for the Washington, D.C. Trip August 2-5, 2010
for workshops at the Smithsonian, National
Archives, and National Portrait Gallery.
Steve
LaMorte
Mark Ferraro
262-8107
Kitty Palumbo
262-8269
Elementary LeadsElementary LeadsElementary LeadsElementary Leads
Stefan Cohen
262-8162
Secondary LeadsSecondary LeadsSecondary LeadsSecondary Leads
TAH Book CircleTAH Book CircleTAH Book CircleTAH Book Circle
The final TAH Book Circle of the year begins on
May 4. We will discuss The Promised Land: the
Great Black Migration and How it Changed
America by Nicholas Lemann. The book is an
excellent history of the migration of African-
Americans from the rural South to the urban North,
told through the compelling stories of people who
made the journey. The author looks at the personal
experiences and legacies of the post-1940 migration
and at the federal government's attempts to address
it. You can read a review at http://
www.nytimes.com/1991/02/24/books/one-more-
river-to-cross.html .
The first meeting is Tuesday
May 4 at 4:00, and the location
will depend on how many
people have registered for the
circle. If you are interested in
participating, sign up on Avatar
and please contact Stefan
([email protected]) to
get a copy of the book.
Participants will receive 8 hours per book circle.
You must attend at least three of the four scheduled
sessions and submit a lesson plan to be published on
SharePoint in order to receive PD credit.
Nominate Someone to be the Next Featured Teacher!Nominate Someone to be the Next Featured Teacher!Nominate Someone to be the Next Featured Teacher!Nominate Someone to be the Next Featured Teacher!
Every month, a district teacher is recognized in the Social Studies newsletter. This “featured
teacher” is selected by nomination. If you know or work with someone who you think should
be our featured teacher because of their love of Social Studies, amazing instructional skills,
great classroom activities, or exceptional good looks, please nominate him or her. E-mail
Steve LaMorte today to submit your Featured Teacher nomination and make your friends and
coworkers famous!
Bringing History HomeBringing History HomeBringing History HomeBringing History Home
Instead of featuring just one teacher this month, the April Social
Studies newsletter is featuring an entire program; the Bringing
History Home Project at Marshall High School.
The project is rooted in the concept of
Family Oral History and that everyone's
history connects to past historical events.
The project has brought many teachers
and staff together to support student learning! The main project
was designed by Kara Stadt with tons of collaboration, knowledge,
and support from, Jennifer Gkourlias, Melinda Caparco (SS
Teacher), Raymond Yeaton (Science Teacher), Sally Altobello and
Susan Barnhart (School Counselors), Chris Bianchi (AVID Teacher),
Laurel Avery-DeToy (Academy Director), Ms. Caparco's former
high school English teacher, Hillside Work Scholarship
Representatives - to mention a few! Teachers and community
members created the program with this mission:
To engage parents and students in a rich literary experience which cultivates conversations To engage parents and students in a rich literary experience which cultivates conversations To engage parents and students in a rich literary experience which cultivates conversations To engage parents and students in a rich literary experience which cultivates conversations
with parents, students and Marshall staff that deepen the understanding of Global History. In with parents, students and Marshall staff that deepen the understanding of Global History. In with parents, students and Marshall staff that deepen the understanding of Global History. In with parents, students and Marshall staff that deepen the understanding of Global History. In
addition, our goal is that this program will also bring meaningful history conversations from addition, our goal is that this program will also bring meaningful history conversations from addition, our goal is that this program will also bring meaningful history conversations from addition, our goal is that this program will also bring meaningful history conversations from
school to the dinner table.school to the dinner table.school to the dinner table.school to the dinner table.
So far, the program has had 100%100%100%100% parent involvement!! Kudos to all involved in this
valuable and meaningful project.