2022 TCSS Conference
Friday, Feb. 25th
In-Person Program



Click a button to take you to the presentations for that time slot
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.
Lunch & Awards
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Message from the TCSS President - Joshua Kenna
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Message from the NCSS President- Anton Schulzki
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Presentation of TCSS Awards - Joshua Kenna
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Presentation of TGA Awards - Brian Smith