Social Studies

Our Social Studies friends at Oakland Schools have curated 

an excellent collection of Resources for Honoring Heritage Months. 

Click the image below to be taken the collection.

This Congressional initiative is authorized by Section 111 of Division J of Pub. L. 108 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2005, Dec. 8, 2004; 118 Stat. 2809, 3344 Department, Section 111(b) states each educational institution that receives Federal funds for a fiscal year shall hold an educational program on the United States Constitution on September 17 of such year for the students served by the educational institution For purposes of the Department implementation of this requirement educational institutions includes but is not limited to local educational agencies institutions of higher education receiving Federal funding from the Department.

Educational institutions receiving Federal funds from the U.S. Department of Education  must implement the statutory requirement pertaining to the United States Constitution, on a date designated by statute as Constitution Day and Citizenship Day.

Section 111 requires that Constitution Day be held on September 17 of each year, commemorating the September 17, 1787 signing of the Constitution. However, when September 17 falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, Constitution Day shall be held during the preceding or following week.

Please contact John Farris (farrisj@resa.net) if you use other resources that you would like to have posted.

Elementary Resources

• Biographies of the Founding Fathers - Recount how the Constitution was created and ratified. Learn about the Bill of Rights. Read biographies of the Founding Fathers.
• Center for Civic Education - The Center for Civic Education, in collaboration with the American Association of School Administrators, offers lessons suggested for use at each of the grade levels, Kindergarten to Grade 12.
• National Constitution Center - Use their lesson plans or one of their great online events or virtual field trips for Constitution Day.

Middle School Resources

• Scholastic Lesson Plans - Preamble to the Constitution---What is Good Government Anyway? is a lesson plan written for Grades 3 to 5.The emphasis is on learning how some aspects of good government are included right in the Preamble.The culmination of the lesson is a mural.
• A More Perfect Union - Students view a slideshow outlining events leading to the U.S. Constitution and participate in a discussion activity on "enduring questions." 
• Biographies of the Founding Fathers - Recount how the Constitution was created and ratified. Learn about the Bill of Rights and read biographies of the Founding Fathers.
• Center for Civic Education - The Center for Civic Education, in collaboration with the American Association of School Administrators, offers a variety of K-12 lessons.
• National Constitution Center - Use their lesson plans or one of their great online events or virtual field trips for Constitution Day.
• ConstitutionDay.com website - Along with information on the Preamble and Ratification, this site provides an extensive list of Constitution facts, some items for sale, press releases, flyers and more.
• Constitution Facts - ConstitutionFacts.com provides a series of free educational resources and Internet links to help educators celebrate Constitution Day each year.
• National Endowment for the Humanities Constitution Day lessons
• Full Text of the Articles of Confederation - Every textbook that discusses the Constitution identifies it as the replacement for the faulty Articles of Confederation. Here is a resource that gives the entire text of the Articles of Confederation, something not found in textbooks.
• iCivics.Org - Online games, lessons, and materials on civics subjects, including the Constitution
• Interactive Constitution Timeline - This interactive timeline of events marks more than 200 years of our constitutional history. These events tell the evolving story of our Constitution & the role it continues to play in our lives. See headlines, hear debates, explore graphs and maps.
• Library of Congress - They have compiled a variety of materials from across its collections. Explore these rich resources and features to learn more about one of America's most important documents.
• State Bar of Michigan- These are lessons developed and/or compiled the State Bar of Michigan and are primarily focused on grades 6-7-8.

High School Resources

• Annenberg Classroom - These comprehensive resources include a Constitution Guide, Videos, Timelines, Issues, Games & Interactives, PDF lessons and iBooks
• Bill of Rights Institute - Creative lesson plans grouped into four categories including "American Lives, Primary Source Activities, Bill of Rights in the News and Landmark Supreme Court cases and the Constitution" are available on this site.
• Biographies of the Founding Fathers - Recount how the Constitution was created and ratified. Learn about the Bill of Rights and read biographies of the Founding Fathers.
• Center for Civic Education - The Center for Civic Education, in collaboration with the American Association of School Administrators, offers a variety of K-12 lessons.
• ConstitutionDay.com website - Along with information on the Preamble and Ratification, this site provides an extensive list of Constitution facts, some items for sale, press releases, flyers and more.
• Constitution Facts - ConstitutionFacts.com provides a series of free educational resources and Internet links to help educators celebrate Constitution Day each year.
• Library of Congress - They have compiled a variety of materials from across its collections. Explore these rich resources and features to learn more about one of America's most important documents
• Major Debates of the Constitutional Convention - Students read an article on the major issues and compromises tackled during the Constitutional Convention and participate as commission members in discussing representation in the modern U.S. Senate.
• National Constitution Center - This website is supported by the National Constitution Center, American Bar Association, Bill of Rights Institute, C-SPAN, Center for Educational Technologies, the Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools, The Constitution Project, The Council for Excellence in Government, courtTV, Justice Learning, The National Archives, and Scholastic. This kind of collaboration creates a sampler of the best work of the leading organizations for education about our government.
• National Archives Teaching With Documents - Lessons about the new nation using primary sources, including the U.S. Constitution.
• Our Documents.Gov - To help us think, talk and teach about the rights and responsibilities of citizens in our democracy, we invite you to explore 100milestone documents of American history. These documents reflect our diversity and our unity, our past and our future, and mostly our commitment as a nation to continue to strive to "form a more perfect union.
• The Constitution & The 3 Branches of Gov: Lesson Plans - These three lessons were created by Amy Bloom, former History/Social Studies Consultant at Oakland Schools.
  • Executive Branch Lesson
  • Judicial Branch Lesson
  • Legislative Branch Lesson
• Consource.org - While not specific to Constitution Day exclusively, this online resource for Constitutional research and education. Continually expanding in scope, it provides free public access to what is fast becoming the world’s most comprehensive online library of source documents related to the U.S. Constitution.
• Constitution Day (PBS NewsHour) The 1965 Alabama Literacy Test - This is a unique opportunity to discuss the document itself in the context of voting and elections
• Text of the Articles of Confederation (Full) - Every textbook that discusses the Constitution identifies it as the replacement for the faulty Articles of Confederation. Here is a resource that gives the entire text of the Articles of Confederation, something not found in textbooks.
• U.S. Constitution Online Exhibit: National Archives and Records Administration - Essays, online exhibit, images of the original document, and a printer-friendly transcript.
• Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom - Students read an article on the struggle for separation of church and state and participate in a hypothetical debate between James Madison and Patrick Henry on the issue.
• New York Times Constitution Day Planning Guide - This guide is a compilation of planning suggestions from The New York Times Learning Network and the American Democracy Project.

Section 380.1278a of the Revised School Code requires Michigan students entering 8^th grade in 2023 to complete a ½ credit course in personal finance that meets subject area content expectations developed by the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) and approved by the State Board of Education (SBE).

Students can meet the personal finance requirement in several ways:

• By meeting the personal finance content expectations in a stand-alone 1-semester personal finance course, for which they will receive ½ credit.

• By meeting the personal finance content expectations as part of another course (for example, an economics course, a math course, or a CTE course), for which they will receive ½ credit for the course, plus another ½ credit for meeting the personal finance requirements. So, for example, if they meet the PF content requirements in a one-semester economics course, they will receive ½ credit for taking the economics course, plus another ½ credit for meeting the PF content requirements, for a total of 1 credit. Or, if they meet the PF content requirements as part of a two-semester course like math, they will receive 1 credit for the course, plus ½ credit for meeting the PF content requirements, for a total of 1.5 credits.

• Students can meet the personal finance content expectations by testing out of a personal finance course, for which they will receive ½ credit.

MDE’s website Personal Finance: Requirements and Resources has more information, including the PDF “Personal Finance Course/Credit Requirements,” which goes into more detail.

Personal Finance Curriculum Resources

• Next Gen Personal Finance(NGPF)
  • Per Section 380.1165 of the Revised School Code, the MDE has selected the NGPF Program as a model curriculum. This is only a model, and districts can choose to use it or not.
  • NGPF MI Curriculum Crosswalk
  • NGPF Starter Pack
  • NGPF Units
  • NGPF Academy
• Junior Achievement (JA) Resources
  • JA Personal Finance 2.0
  • JA Financial Literacy for Michigan Great Lakes
• Personal Finance TEACH
• Michigan Council on Economic Education (MCEE)
• Michigan Open Book Project: Economics and You
• Michigan Social Studies Hub
• JA Supports the MCEE Teacher Professional Development
• MI Money Matters

The Michigan Social Studies Hub provides a centralized collection of resources for Michigan educators implementing the new social studies standards and the College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework, including PDFs of the standards, Inquiry Design Model (IDM) materials, professional development, and tools for curriculum and assessment. The hub was created to help local districts in Michigan understand and apply the revised standards by offering a variety of tools, resources, and professional learning opportunities.Key components and resources offered by the hub:

• Michigan Social Studies Standards: Access to the official standards documents and related guidance for K-12 social studies.
• C3 Framework & Inquiry Design Model (IDM): Tools and resources that help educators use the C3 Framework to create inquiry-based curriculum and lessons.
• Curriculum Resources: Resources such as the GIANTS project (free, open-source curriculum) and the Michigan Open Book Project (open-educational resources) that support teaching the revised standards.
• Professional Development: Information and resources for ongoing professional learning to support educators.
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Resources: Tools and guidance to help teachers develop and implement high-quality social studies education.

Click Here to Go to the Hub

The 3P approaches—Problem-Based Learning (PBL), Project-Based Learning (PBL), and Place-Based Learning (PBL)—are often associated with STEM education. However, these strategies can also be effectively applied in Social Studies to foster critical thinking, collaboration, and a deeper understanding of social issues, history, and culture. These approaches are a key focus of the Teaching Diverse Histories Summit, which emphasizes inquiry-based learning and creating inclusive, engaging experiences for students. In Social Studies, these methods complement inquiry-based education, which is central to the College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework and the foundation of the Michigan K-12 Standards for Social Studies (see page 8).

• Problem-Based Learning (PBL) encourages students to explore real-world problems, such as poverty or political unrest, by researching causes and proposing solutions. This approach promotes inquiry and problem-solving skills, guiding students through open-ended, real-world challenges. (Aligned with C3 Dimension 1: Developing Questions and Planning Inquiries)
• Project-Based Learning (PBL) focuses on creating tangible outcomes like documentaries or policy proposals based on social phenomena. It aligns with inquiry-based practices by allowing students to investigate and solve real-world issues, applying interdisciplinary knowledge to create solutions. (Aligned with C3 Dimension 4: Communicating Conclusions and Taking Informed Action)
• Place-Based Learning (PBL) connects students to their local community, using geography, history, and culture to address local social issues. Students engage in fieldwork and community projects, deepening their understanding through inquiry and fostering a sense of civic responsibility. (Aligned with C3 Dimension 3: Evaluating Sources and Using Evidence)

Incorporating these 3P methods into Social Studies aligns with the C3 Framework’s Inquiry Arc, where students engage in questioning, investigating, and analyzing evidence to make informed conclusions. These strategies not only develop knowledge but also build skills in collaboration, communication

Click here to download the flyer

In times of crisis, educators play a central role in guiding students through challenging conversations with sensitivity and resilience. Teaching Through Crisis is a comprehensive resource designed to equip educators with tools and strategies necessary to navigate complex classroom discussions, fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment. This document addresses key themes, including the creation of enabling conditions, immediate practices for responding to crises, and methods for repairing harm and restoring relationships post-discussion.

Purpose:

The purpose of this guidance is multifaceted:  

• It aims to empower educators to create a classroom atmosphere conducive to navigating crises, cultivating what Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. envisioned as the "Beloved Community."  

• It provides practical insights and practices for helping teachers navigate the aftermath of events involving tragedy or injustice in real-time, ensuring educators can respond with care and empathy.

• Finally, it delves into the vital process of repairing harm and restoring relationships after challenging discussions, promoting healing and resilience within the educational community.

As we embark on this journey together, Teaching Through Crisis serves as a valuable tool for educators committed to fostering not only academic growth but also the emotional and social well-being of their students.

click here to download the guide

click here for the wayne resa crisis management page

• Download their free, Michigan Teacher Toolkit with this form.
• Schedule a One-on-One session with Manager of Educator Development, Charlotte Nichols, a former social studies teacher, department chair and curriculum writer. She knows how hard educators work, and wants to make adding voter registration to your classrooms easy for you. Questions about voter registration laws and policies in your state? How best to incorporate voter registration into your lessons in authentic and meaningful ways, tailored to your specific community? Charlotte would love to be a supportive thought partner and can provide you with a cache of resources and materials to meet your needs. Schedule a one-on-one meeting on the calendar.
• Sign up for a free, 1-hour Run-a-Drive virtual workshop.
• Attend the next free, in-person workshop at Wayne RESA. Join the Wayne RESA Social Studies listerv so you'll be notified when we schedule the next session.