8 AM Sessions

Director's Row 1

US History in the Tennessee Valley - Currents of Change (Grades 3-12)
       Presented By Jennifer Johnson & David Huebner — BVI: Currents of Change (Exhibitor)

Created for US History teachers, Currents of Change is a free program that addresses topics such as New Deal, Oak Ridge, Fontana, Roosevelt, Nuclear Power. You will leave this presentation with free, ready-to-teach lessons and one-of-a-kind resources in your hands. The website provides unique primary and secondary sources- videos, photographs, an interactive map, timeline and interviews. The activities can be adapted for any grade that is studying US History.

Director's Row 3

Strategies for Teaching Social Studies to English Language Learners (Grades 6-12)
       Presented By Casey O'Connor & Erin LaFever — Cleveland Middle School

Teaching social studies to English learners must move beyond basic translation of texts and worksheets, but if we’re not trained ESL teachers, how do we know where to begin? How can we include our increasing number of English learners in classroom activities despite language barriers and without relying on more proficient English speakers to translate? Here you will learn how to narrow the focus of what you need your ELs to learn, strategies that promote learning and participation, and, ultimately, methods to improve the achievement of your ELs on the end of the year exams.

Director's Row 4

New Laws and New Bills that Will Change the Teaching of Social Studies (Grades K-12)
       Presented By Bill Carey — Tennessee History for Kids

The "Critical Race Theory" law, which passed the Tennessee General Assembly last year without a TN Legislator hearing from a single social studies teacher, was only the beginning. In fact, many of the sessions at this very social studies conference may promote materials and lesson plans that might be illegal under proposals that are now before the legislature. And what's worse, practically no teachers appear to be aware of these new proposed laws, let alone speaking out against them. Bill Carey, who follows closely all the proposals at the General Assembly, will be doing this special session all day, in order to help explain what the legislature is proposing, what it might mean to social studies teachers, and what teachers can do to try to influence the process.

Director's Row 5

Teaching About Social Justice: Focus on Johnny Cash (Grades 5-12)
       Presented By James Akenson — Tennessee Tech University

This session will: A) Provide background knowledge about Johnny Cash and the concept of Social Justice, B) Engage, involve participants in dealing with the content of Cash’s signature identity song The Man In Black, C) Provide additional sources relating Johnny Cash to contemporary events and causes, and D) Suggest other songs and events from Cash’s life that relate to Social Justice.

Director's Row 6

Tennessee Suffrage Movement: A Traveling Lit Kit (Grades 3-5)
       Presented By Cammie Lawton, Julia Watts, & Allison Varnes — Center for Children's and Young
       Adult Literature, University of Tennessee (Exhibitor)

Come learn about a free traveling lit kit program that focusses on utilizing children's picture books to help teach the Suffrage Movement. Some Traveling Lit Kits will be available to attendees

Tennessee Grand Ballroom D

Re-ignite and Re-engage with Strategies for Successful Social Studies (Grades 3-5)
       Presented By Greg Farmer — Gallopade International  (Exhibitor)

Blended. Hybrid. In-person learning… Our classrooms have seen it all in recent years, so how do we continue to evolve and adapt to the changing needs of our students? By exciting them with opportunities to explore learning in unique and collaborative ways! In this interactive session, participants engage in hands-on strategies that support all learners and grade levels. Join us as we examine a variety of texts and images designed to ignite excitement for social studies. Leave with ready-to-implement strategies and examples to support learning across multiple grade bands, as well as a free toolkit of resources to support implementation!

Tennessee Grand Ballroom E

Discourse in the Democratic Classroom (Grades 9-12)
       Presented By Daniel Warner — East High School, Shelby County

Session will begin with analysis of role of social studies classroom in cultivating civic identity and citizenship in a democratic society. Session will (1) discuss how to foster classroom culture that can sustain complex historical conversation, (2) offer numerous discourse protocols (w/ student exemplars) to use with students, and ultimately (3) focus on student-run small group Socratic Seminars.

9 AM Sessions

Director's Row 1

Accessibility and Achievement for all AP Students (Grades 9-12)
       Presented By Kimberly Vance — Perfection Learning (Exhibitor) 

Teachers will learn strategies on how to help ALL students achieve high scores on the AP Social Studies Exams

Director's Row 3

Teaching Thematically with Primary Sources (Grades 9-12)
       Presented By Stacey Graham & October Kamara — Middle Tennessee State University 

Teaching thematically aims at improving student understanding of concepts and patterns in history. It also helps with historical thinking (hitting those SSP standards) by helping students understand continuity and change, as well as cause and effect. This session, presented by Teaching with Primary Sources – MTSU, will explore this strategy using two case studies: the Russian Revolution (for high school world history) and Progressive Era labor movements (for high school U.S. history).

Director's Row 4

New Laws and New Bills that Will Change the Teaching of Social Studies (Grades K-12)
       Presented By Bill Carey — Tennessee History for Kids

The "Critical Race Theory" law, which passed the Tennessee General Assembly last year without a TN Legislator hearing from a single social studies teacher, was only the beginning. In fact, many of the sessions at this very social studies conference may promote materials and lesson plans that might be illegal under proposals that are now before the legislature. And what's worse, practically no teachers appear to be aware of these new proposed laws, let alone speaking out against them. Bill Carey, who follows closely all the proposals at the General Assembly, will be doing this special session all day, in order to help explain what the legislature is proposing, what it might mean to social studies teachers, and what teachers can do to try to influence the process.

Director's Row 5

This is America Too: Teaching the History of Latinx Americans (Grades 9-12)
       Presented By Brandon O'Neill — Fulton High School, Knox County 

The history of Latinx Americans has been one often left in the shadows our social studies courses. It is a perspective that tends to be under appreciated or ignored. Yet Latinx Americans have played a pivotal role in the history of the United States from the beginning. To understand our own history we must do a better job of studying U.S. history from this perspective. The Latinx History course that I have created and taught is hopefully the first step towards doing that. Come to the session prepared to learn about this course and gain access to valuable resources that you will allow you to provide more enriched instruction to your students.

Director's Row 6

Breaking It Down: Using Tech Tools to Teach Social Studies Skills (Grades 6-12)
       Presented By Ashley Flood & Kristi Neuroth— Williamson County Schools 

So we've got the standards down, but what about weaving in these Social Studies Practices? Come and explore how interactive presentation tools, such as Google Slides, Nearpod and Pear Deck, can be used to guide students through increasingly complex levels of cognition while teaching the skills outlined in the Social Studies Practices. See examples of how to apply purposeful technology to walk students through skills step by step and challenge students to think more deeply. Attendees with leave with access to sample lessons and templates that can be modified for classroom use.

Tennessee Grand Ballroom D

Using DBQs to Engage Students in U.S. History (Grades 6-12) 
Presented By Imali Kent — The DBQ Project  (Exhibitor)

Come see how The DBQ Project’s Mini-Qs in U.S. History support the content standards and historical thinking skills required by the Tennessee Academic Standards for Social Studies. This interactive session will highlight one of DBQ Projects 25 BRAND NEW units aligned to both the middle and high school courses. Teachers will receive a sample lesson and preview The DBQ Project’s flexible pedagogy that supports discussion and debate as students clarify their own ideas and write evidence-based arguments.

Tennessee Grand Ballroom E

Fun Strategies for Improving Reading Comprehension in U.S. History (Grades 6-12)
       Presented By Paul Binford & Megan Mauney— Mississippi State University 

This session focuses on two engaging strategies to increase student reading comprehension in U.S. History through vocabulary enhancement. According to the Marzano Research Laboratory, students need to learn more vocabulary terms in the social studies than any other content area. The key, of course, is to make this process fun for students. One high interest approach is the LINCS Strategy; participants will learn about this strategy through the creation of a sample LINCS card. In the second segment of this session, participants will compete in and learn how to develop a “Who Am I?” vocabulary review game.

10 AM Sessions

Director's Row 1

Korea: Heart and Seoul Pen Pal Project (Grades K-12)
       Presented By Becky Hasselle — Dyersburg Middle School

During the pandemic an American and South Korean teacher decided to start a pen pal project to combat their students’ feelings of isolation. This presentation gives an overview of the project, with sample letters and the perspectives of some of her students. Benefits of the project include cross cultural understanding through interacting with people from another culture, developing geography skills, and improving social skills. Tips for how to implement a pen pal project are included, as well as a sample lesson plan.

Director's Row 3

Facilitating Courageous Conversations (Grades K-12)
       Presented By Dr. Cheryl McCray — Hamilton County Schools

Participants will analyze and discuss the Hamilton County Schools' Framework for Facilitating Courageous Conversations. Participants will also learn strategies for intervention during courageous conversations. Lastly, participants will engage in a mini-lesson around a courageous topic.

Director's Row 4

New Laws and New Bills that Will Change the Teaching of Social Studies (Grades K-12)
       Presented By Bill Carey — Tennessee History for Kids

The "Critical Race Theory" law, which passed the Tennessee General Assembly last year without a TN Legislator hearing from a single social studies teacher, was only the beginning. In fact, many of the sessions at this very social studies conference may promote materials and lesson plans that might be illegal under proposals that are now before the legislature. And what's worse, practically no teachers appear to be aware of these new proposed laws, let alone speaking out against them. Bill Carey, who follows closely all the proposals at the General Assembly, will be doing this special session all day, in order to help explain what the legislature is proposing, what it might mean to social studies teachers, and what teachers can do to try to influence the process.

Director's Row 5

Activities and Materials for the Social Studies Classroom (Grades 9-12)
       Presented By Rebecca Furman — Hardin Valley Academy, Knox County

Activities and materials are my favorite part of teaching. Come, listen, and steal my ideas for your classroom. Attendees will come away with an arm load of activities and materials to use in all social studies classrooms.

Director's Row 6

What's the Why: Understanding Point of View (Grades K-12)
       Presented By Summer Carter — Social Studies School Service (Exhibitor)

What’s the Why? We want students to be able to figure out “Why?” We will focus on point of view, to prepare K-5 students for analyzing texts, thinking critically, and understanding that people have a “why” for their point of view. Why did a person or group feel a certain way? Can people have the same point of view and different “whys”? This skill building allows for many conversations, like it’s ok for people to have a different point of view. The session includes maps and visuals for students to grasp points of view about the same historical event.

Tennessee Grand Ballroom D

Inquiry in the Elementary Classroom: Equipping Young Student Historians! (Grades K-5)
       Presented By Michelle Sontag — S3strategies  (Exhibitor)

Create a culture of inquiry with engaging opportunities for students to interact with age-appropriate primary sources. Introduce, practice and master the necessary awareness and skills to work effectively with primary sources with a variety of strategies. Create a thinking classroom where students do the work of young historians!

Tennessee Grand Ballroom E

The Geography of the Tennessee Valley (Grades 3-12)
       Presented By David Huebner — BVI: Currents of Change  (Exhibitor)

The Tennessee River and the valley region which it creates flows 652 miles through seven states: Virginia, Georgia, North Carolina, Alabama, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Learn about the Tennessee Valley with its complex and varying geography, rich and diverse ecosystems, and land that stretches from the Appalachian and Smoky Mountains to the bottomlands. 

11 AM Sessions

Director's Row 1

Contested Landscapes (Grades 6-12)
       Presented By Annie Evans — New American History, University of Richmond

Using the digital scholarship tools and learning resources of New American History, explore themes of redlining, urban renewal, racial covenants, segregated communities, and contested iconography on the cultural, political, and physical landscapes. Examine the relationship within a historical context with identity, memory, and memorialization traced across the American urban landscape. This hands-on session will explore how powerful video, audio, and digital mapping tools may help students make powerful connections between past and present. All resources presented are OER.

Amending the Constitution, Formally and Informally (Grades 6-12)
       Presented By Tiffany Middleton & Catherine Hawke  — American Bar Association














 

Director's Row 4

New Laws and New Bills that Will Change the Teaching of Social Studies (Grades K-12)
       Presented By Bill Carey — Tennessee History for Kids

The "Critical Race Theory" law, which passed the Tennessee General Assembly last year without a TN Legislator hearing from a single social studies teacher, was only the beginning. In fact, many of the sessions at this very social studies conference may promote materials and lesson plans that might be illegal under proposals that are now before the legislature. And what's worse, practically no teachers appear to be aware of these new proposed laws, let alone speaking out against them. Bill Carey, who follows closely all the proposals at the General Assembly, will be doing this special session all day, in order to help explain what the legislature is proposing, what it might mean to social studies teachers, and what teachers can do to try to influence the process.

Director's Row 5

James Madison Memorial Fellowship Scholarship (Grades 6-12)
       Presented By Brandon Eldridge — Central Magnet School

In this presentation, attendees will learn about the application, Summer Institute, and other benefits of applying to become a James Madison Fellow from the 2020 James Madison Fellow for Tennessee.

Director's Row 6

Technology to Use in your Social Studies Classroom (Grades K-12)
       Presented By Burt Finley — East Hamilton Middle School, Hamilton County

This presentation will show different websites, apps, and tools that teachers can use with students in their social studies classroom.

Tennessee Grand Ballroom D

Start with Story: Driving Inquiry Through Film with Retro Report (Grades 6-12)
       Presented By David Olson — Retro Report  (Exhibitor)

How do you engage students to examine the history of the Cold War, Voting Rights, 9/11, or the fight for Racial Justice? By hearing the varied perspectives of those who lived it! Explore Retro Report’s library of over 250 short-form documentaries and the free classroom resources that accompany them. Through interviews, archival video, and photos, the Retro Report filmmakers craft captivating stories that explore the hidden histories of yesterday and connect them to our world today. This interactive session focuses on having educators engage with Retro Report materials for U.S. and World History and Civics classes.

Tennessee Grand Ballroom E

Tennesseans Together: Stories form the 16th State (Grades 3-12)
       Presented By Lindsay Kovach & Kelly Wilkerson — Tennessee State Library and Archives 
       (Exhibitor)

In this session, teachers will discover stories about the people and events that bring Tennesseans Together. This session will provide engaging activities that show Tennesseans working together in order to build a stronger, better state. During this interactive and hands-on session, we’ll focus on the use of primary sources that help educators teach the stories of topics such as the Civil War Battles in Tennessee, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), and the Civil Rights Movement. As always, this workshop will align all activities with the 4th, 5th, 8th, and High School American History curriculum standards for social studies.

1:15 PM Sessions

Director's Row 1

Factfulness: Challenging Worldviews in a Dynamic Geography or History Classroom (Grades K-12)
       Presented By Kristi Neuroth — Ravenwood High School, Williamson County

Is your view of the world outdated? Challenge your assumptions in this dynamic session! Using the research of renowned geographer and global health professor Hans Rosling, attendees will evaluate assumptions about global development and explore where we are as a global community today. Attendees will learn about the vast resources available on Gapminder.org and how to use the book Factfulness in a dynamic geography or history classroom.

Director's Row 3

Structured Talk Moves & the Social Studies Practices (Grades 6-12)
       Presented By Rachel Turner — Hamilton County Schools 

Participants will learn strategies for elevating and strategically structuring student discourse in the classroom while incorporating the Social Studies Practices to create a learning environment that is student-driven.

Director's Row 4

New Laws and New Bills that Will Change the Teaching of Social Studies (Grades K-12)
       Presented By Bill Carey — Tennessee History for Kids

The "Critical Race Theory" law, which passed the Tennessee General Assembly last year without a TN Legislator hearing from a single social studies teacher, was only the beginning. In fact, many of the sessions at this very social studies conference may promote materials and lesson plans that might be illegal under proposals that are now before the legislature. And what's worse, practically no teachers appear to be aware of these new proposed laws, let alone speaking out against them. Bill Carey, who follows closely all the proposals at the General Assembly, will be doing this special session all day, in order to help explain what the legislature is proposing, what it might mean to social studies teachers, and what teachers can do to try to influence the process.

Director's Row 5

Best of Both Worlds- Enhancing Instruction with Technology (Grades 6-12)
       Presented By Leah Wetzler — S3strategies  (Exhibitor)

Consider how to embrace lessons learned from remote instruction to redefine and improve what comes next for educators. Focus on blending engaging strategies and effective uses of technology in a face-2-face learning environment. Experience powerful strategies for student collaboration, academic conversations and quality station-rotation instruction embracing the best of both worlds.

Director's Row 6

Unleash the Power of Objects in Your Classroom (Grades K-12)
       Presented By Jill Cross — Bornblum Jewish Community School

Objects are a power source for enriching and extending understanding and building academic skills across disciplines. Objects have the capacity to build connections for our students, but they also hold potential for inquiry-based learning. The most mundane object can reveal a range of information if you ask the right questions. Object-based learning fosters analytical observation and critical thinking. Explore strategies for integrating material culture in K-12 classrooms and bring history to life for your students!

Tennessee Grand Ballroom D

Cultivating Civic Discourse in your Classroom (Grades 6-12)
       Presented By Caryn Rossiter & Allan Carey — Sphere Education Initiative  (Exhibitor)

Explore and address the state of public discourse and partisanship in the country. Learn how to set an example of constructive engagement on areas of disagreement while providing opportunities to emphasize areas of agreement in your classroom discussions. The workshop will demonstrate different methods to model and promote civil discourse in your classroom /school.

Tennessee Grand Ballroom E

Bringing US History to Life with Economics: The Interstate Highway System (Grades 6-12)
       Presented By Maria Edlin King & Jackie Morgan — MTSU & Atlanta Federal Reserve Bank - Nashville Branch  (Exhibitor)

The program will examine the impact of both the construction and presence of the U.S. Interstate Highway System on the country’s economy. Additionally, we will explore the influence of the automobile and commercial vehicles on American society and weave concepts of economic growth, externalities, and unintended consequences into the program. US.73 Describe domestic developments during President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s administration, including advances in medicine and the creation of the Interstate Highway System. E.39 Define gross domestic product (GDP), economic growth, unemployment, and inflation; E. 40 Define externalities, and identify examples of them.

2:15 PM Sessions

Director's Row 1

Using Literature to Enhance Geography (Grades K-3)
       Presented By Sherri Collie & Jenny Shorten — Collinwood Middle School & Evangelical Christian
       School

This interactive workshop hosted by the Tennessee Geographic Alliance focuses on the importance of literature in broadening geographic horizons in elementary classrooms. With an emphasis on books like Camilla Cartographer and P is for Passport, attendees will receive ready-to-use resources and lesson plans, as well as great tips on how to bring the classroom to life and generate excitement for geography and the world around us.

Director's Row 3

Perspectives on Pearl Harbor Simulation (Grades 3-5)
       Presented By Stephanie Richards, Lauren Luna, & Cari Moravits — Tennessee Tech University 

Have you ever thought about assigning different perspectives of people involved in Pearl Harbor? There were Native Hawaiians, Japanese soldiers, American Military, American civilians - both men and women, and FDR. Immerse yourself in the world of simulation as we explore the significance of Pearl Harbor and our country's entrance into World War II.

Director's Row 4

New Laws and New Bills that Will Change the Teaching of Social Studies (Grades K-12)
       Presented By Bill Carey — Tennessee History for Kids

The "Critical Race Theory" law, which passed the Tennessee General Assembly last year without a TN Legislator hearing from a single social studies teacher, was only the beginning. In fact, many of the sessions at this very social studies conference may promote materials and lesson plans that might be illegal under proposals that are now before the legislature. And what's worse, practically no teachers appear to be aware of these new proposed laws, let alone speaking out against them. Bill Carey, who follows closely all the proposals at the General Assembly, will be doing this special session all day, in order to help explain what the legislature is proposing, what it might mean to social studies teachers, and what teachers can do to try to influence the process.

Director's Row 5

Tools for Teaching about Genocide and other Human Rights Atrocities(Grades 6-12)
       Presented By Sara Cohen — The Genocide Education Project 

Studying human rights and genocide is an essential part of students’ understanding of history and current events. The Genocide Education Project’s new resource, The Stages of Genocide: A Toolkit for Educators, covers this difficult topic in a meaningful way by examining six case studies through the framework of the “Ten Stages of Genocide” and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Director's Row 6

Frederick Douglass and the Push for Reform in the Early Republic (Grades K-12)
       Presented By Kira Duke — Middle Tennessee State University

Frederick Douglass is arguably one of the most important figures of 19th century America. In this session, we will explore how Frederick Douglass’s experiences as an enslaved person impacted his abolitionist work and how he exemplified the message of the reform movement of the Early Republic period by connecting reform to ideals expressed at the nation’s founding. This session will also look at how you can combine primary sources with new literature aimed at younger readers such as graphic novels to build background knowledge and engage students.

Tennessee Grand Ballroom D

How Studies Weekly Supports Critical Thinking, Collaboration, & Investigation (Grades K-5)
       Presented By Dawn Smith — Studies Weekly  (Exhibitor)

Teachers will explore how Studies Weekly supports critical thinking, collaboration, and Investigation using print and online resources, planning with an end in mind, using primary sources, and providing ongoing assessment. Included will be opportunities to embed ELA though close reading of informational text ‘to determine what a text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it; cite specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions drawn from the text’ as well as opportunities to participate in a range of ‘conversations and collaborations with varied partners, building on others’ ideas and expressing one’s own ideas clearly and persuasively.’

Tennessee Grand Ballroom E

Artifacts are Primary Sources Too: Critical Thinking Skills and 3D Objects (Grades 3-8)
       Presented By Christopher Grisham — Tennessee State Museum  (Exhibitor)

We all know the importance of using primary sources in the classroom when teaching history, but most of us immediately think of written records and images. Today, we are going to remind you why artifacts should be included in that list. Students working with artifacts will develop their observational and analytical skills as well as gain practice drawing conclusions based on evidence. Join us as we work with real artifacts from Tennessee’s past, learn what questions to use when looking at an artifact, and find out what resources the museum provides for you in your classroom.