Massachusetts Council for the Social Studies > Massachusetts

C3 Framework Holds Great Promise and Potential

12/03/2013 by Leave a Comment

At the recent St. Louis NCSS National Conference, the major initiative of the conference was the unveiling of and enthusiasm for the new College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework for Social Studies State Standards: State Guidance for Enhancing the Rigor of K-12 Civics, Economics, Geography, and History This initiative is the result of exhaustive […]

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NCSS National Convention Coming to Boston in 2014

04/20/2013 by 5 Comments

NCSS National Conference Update   November 21-23, 2014 seems a long way off, but yet for the NCSS National Convention and those dates in Boston, it is right around the corner. The Conference’s theme is Let Freedom Ring! The Civic Mission of Our Schools and NCSS has already contracted with the Hynes Convention Center and […]

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Open Letter to School Superintendents

11/05/2012 by Leave a Comment

The following letter was emailed to superintendents and assistant superintendents throughout the state this past August.   Dear                  ,   It is that time of year again, the most exciting time for all educators…the start of another academic year. The energy and enthusiasm runs throughout the system, […]

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Address to DESE Board, Sept. 2012

11/05/2012 by Leave a Comment

September 25, 2012   To: DESE Board From: Norm Shacochis, President, Massachusetts Council for the Social Studies (MCSS = MassCouncil)     Over the summer months, when many teachers take the opportunity to travel, hit the beach, or simply escape the constant work of the classroom, there was a group of Social Studies teachers (and […]

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Stirring the Pot: Women in Early Massachusetts

07/29/2012 by Leave a Comment

Dear Social Studies Teacher, I am working with The Partnership of the Historic Bostons on their 2012 Charter Day Program: “Stirring the Pot: Women in Early Massachusetts.” We have some great programming on tap, including a student-friendly event on Thursday, September 20th, which features role-players from the Plimoth Plantation acting in character as some of the […]

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DESE Plans Model Curriculum Unit Development

07/16/2012 by Leave a Comment

I attended a meeting at the DESE office yesterday (June 21, 2012) and came away with mixed feelings. First, there were very few constituencies represented that were comprised of classroom educators. The likes of the Tsongas Museum, New England Aquarium, and Primary Source were represented and they all certainly mean well, but none are actual […]

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Continuing a “Dialogue’ with the DESE

07/16/2012 by Leave a Comment

In early May I wrote a letter to Commissioner Chester about the state of SS in Massachusetts, and he responded on May 21, directing me to communicate with Julia Phelps and Susan Wheltle at the DESE from that time forward. I then sent Ms. Phelps and Ms. Wheltle the following letter, but have received no […]

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