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We are currently working with Framingham State University and Suffolk University to offer graduate credits for the successful completion of the six-day content institute. Workshops include sessions for teachers on incorporating the content learned from the seminars to design and develop meaningful instruction that can be implemented into the classroom.
Sharpen your skills, gain new techniques, and further your professional goals at the 2016 NCSS Annual Conference.
- Learn best practices and the latest research from experts and colleagues in social studies education
- Receive classroom-ready lessons
- Interact with nationally-known speakers and educators
- Share teaching strategies and solutions with peers
- Expand your professional network
- Discover the latest teaching resources, products and services in the exhibit hall
The culminating activity for the We the People: The Citizen & The Constitution program is a simulated congressional hearing in which students “testify” in front of a panel of judges acting as members of Congress. In addition to the simulated congressional hearings, some teachers, schools and districts choose to participate in the State and National Finals or the National Invitational. These additional learning opportunities can be exciting to many students and serve to further their understanding of the constitution and government.
Hearings
During the simulated hearings, students have the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of constitutional principles through their testimony in front of a panel of judges. The entire class, working in cooperative teams, prepares and presents statements before a panel of community representatives acting as a congressional committee. Students then answer follow-up questions posed by the committee members. They will have the opportunity to evaluate, take and defend their position on a variety of historical and contemporary issues. In addition to the hands on learning experience the hearings offer, they also serve as an effective way for teachers to evaluate their student’s grasp of the material.
The MCSS legislative day will take place at the Massachusetts State House in Boston, Massachusetts, on Wednesday, March 29, 2017.
Special thanks to Anne Ziaja and Rita Noonan from the Massachusetts State Senate Office of Education and Civic Engagement the for helping to arrange this day for us.
Tentative Itinerary for Wednesday, March 29, 2017:
Pre-Congressional Visit Briefing, 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Learn the best strategies to become an effective advocate for your profession. Gain an understanding of how to connect your talking points to the local, state, and national issues that our state leaders care about and the key aspects to developing ongoing relationships that will make you a trusted source of information and feedback regarding the effect of national and state policies on local issues.
State House Appointments, 11:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
After the morning orientation, participants will head out to meetings with their members of the Massachusetts General Court. Participants must schedule appointments directly with their State Senators’ or Representatives’ office in advance. Participants will receive additional information on how to prepare talking points and making appointments in the weeks before MCSS Legislative Day.
Legislative Day Debriefing, 3:30 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
Join your colleagues in sharing your experiences from your State House visit and discuss strategies for next steps and information dissemination.
An online sign-up sheet will be made available through the Mass Council website (under Advocacy page). We will promote the legislative day through our weekly e-blasts and through communications from MCSS Executive Board and general members.