Conference sub themes include:
Our keynote speaker will be Tim Smyth. Mr. Smyth is a high school social studies educator of more than 20 years who travels the country giving professional development on the power of teaching with comics. His most recent book is Teaching with Comics and Graphic Novels.
Teaching with Comics and Graphic Novels is available to purchase when registering for the conference.
The Conference will also include over 25 concurrent sessions addressing the various social studies disciplines and pedagogical practices. Some sessions will specifically address teaching in an elementary classroom.
Pre-Conference Workshops
Teachers attending the pre-conference workshops on Sunday October 15 and the ICSS conference will be eligible for a license renewal credit. You will be able to register for these pre-conference workshops when you register for the conference.
Simulation Speed Dating--Over the course of the workshop day, participants will experience two simulations related to the judicial branch and one related to the Iowa Caucuses. Each participant will receive materials to use in implementing the simulations in their classroom. Living History Farms will present a circuit court simulation, the State Historical Society of Iowa will present a caucus simulation, and the Iowa State Bar Association will present a moot court simulation.
Inquiry in Social Studies--The State Historical Society of Iowa, along with current classroom teachers, will present Inquiry in Social Studies. Participants will explore the best practices for integrating inquiry and primary sources into their K-12 classrooms. Participants learn from teacher facilitators who will model best practices for using primary sources and inquiry. Participants will walk away with resources and lesson plans to implement in their classrooms.
The Iowa Council for the Social Studies is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.