Why Social Studies?
Articles & Media Explaining the Value of Social Studies
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Wall Street Journal – The Education Our Economy Needs by Norm Augustine
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Scholars Put Civics in Same Category as Literacy by Jaclyn Zubrzycki
Articles & Media Explaining the Importance of Social Studies to Literacy and Reading
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Students can’t Google everything-Why knowledge matters-D.Willingham
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History and Social Studies – At the Core of the Common Core by Mark Stout
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School Systems Caught in a Lose-Lose Situation by Scott McComb
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Teaching Disciplinary Literacy by Timothy and Cynthia Shanahan
Evidence and Reports
Resources & Organizations
Rho Kappa National Social Studies Honors Society:
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Creating a Rho Kappa Chapter at Your School – Rho Kappa Social Studies Honor Society is the only national organization for high school juniors and seniors that recognizes excellence in the field of Social Studies.
Organizations supporting social studies instruction in Maryland:
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Center for History Education – Supporting the teaching of history, in collaboration with Maryland school systems and historical institutions.
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Crossroads of War: Maryland and the Border in the Civil War – Providing videos, maps, images, primary sources, and other educational materials.
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Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, Baltimore Office – Working with teachers and students to provide resources for economic education.
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Les Aventures Du Baron de F Reste
– Teaching the key concepts of work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy to young people.
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Maryland Agriculture Education Foundation – Promoting the importance of agriculture in our daily lives through supporting education.
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Maryland Council on Economic Education – Working to ensure that Maryland’s school children leave high school equipped with the economic knowledge and decision-making skills they need.
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Maryland Geographic Alliance – Promoting geographic education and awareness among Maryland teachers, students, and the public.
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Maryland Historical Society – Providing stewardship of collections that are central to Maryland’s history.
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Maryland Historical Trust – Preserving and interpreting the legacy of Maryland’s past.
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Maryland Humanities Council – Presenting Maryland History Day, Chautauqua, and more.
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Middle States Council for the Social Studies – Serving New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland and the District of Columbia.
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The Simple Dollar Assist students and their families with in depth financial knowledge along with practical strategies to develop better money management.
Online resources supporting social studies instruction:
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Accokeek Foundation at Piscataway Park – an outdoor classroom on the shore of the Potomac River offering educational programs on conservation, preservation, and sustainability
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Archaeological Study of Colonial Chesapeake Culture from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Virginia Department of Historic Resources
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East Asia National Resource Center at Georgetown University offering professional development, classroom resources, and a speakers bureau to promote the study of Asia
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Facing History and Ourselves offering resources to support educators and their students in the use of the PBS documentary Freedom Riders
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Globalization 101 offered by the Levin Institute to promote greater understanding of globalization
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Hampton: A Revolutionary Place a field trip that asks students to answer the question, “What impact did the American Revolution have on the lives of people at Hampton?”
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Historical Investigation Portal is an online and interactive United States history curriculum created by the Maryland Historical Society.
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iCivics a web-based education project designed to teach students civics and inspire them to be active participants in our democracy.
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Institute for Middle East Studies Outreach Program at George Washington University seeks to provide k-12 educators with access to resources, scholars, and tools on the Middle East
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Jamestown Rediscovery Archaeological Project containing instructional resources including interactive archeological activities
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Legacy of Slavery in Maryland a project of the Maryland State Archives documenting the lives of slaves, free blacks, slaveowners, and others in Maryland while making local primary sources available online
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Maryland History Day Resources research links from the Maryland Humanities Council
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Maryland Irish Education Committee PowerPoint presentation on the Irish in the American Civil War
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Mount Vernon containing virtual tours and excavations and in-depth information on George Washington’s life
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National Consortium for Teaching About Asia encouraging and facilitating teaching about East Asia in elementary and secondary schools
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National Council for Geographic Education promoting and celebrating geographic teaching and learning
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National Museum of the American Indian advancing knowledge and understanding of Native cultures of the Western Hemisphere
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National Museum of Natural History offering video podcasts showing a behind-the-scenes glimpse of anthropologists at work in the museum
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Newspaper in Education Instructional Resources including the sesquicentennial memorial edition on the Civil War published by the Washington Times on April 12, 2011
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Population Connection provides preK – 12 resources about human population trends and their impacts on natural resources, environmental quality, and human well-being
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Project Archaeology provides resources for guiding upper elementary students through the archaeological study of shelter
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Smithsonian’s History Explorer provides resources focused on learning history by “reading” objects for the stories they hold about the nation and its many peoples
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Stanley Foundation provides resources on peace, freedom, justice, world citizenship, and global governance
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Teaching American History in Maryland: Documents for the Classroom document packets created by the Maryland State Archives and arranged by era
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Teachinghistory.org: National History Education Clearinghouse designed to help K-12 history teachers access resouces and materials to improve U.S. History education in the classroom
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TeachUNICEF preK – 12 resources on critical global issues that impact children worldwide
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Teaching with Historic Places instructional activities from the National Park Service
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Teachers College Columbia University offering Understanding Fiscal Responsibility, a curriculum for teaching about the Federal Budget, National Debt, and Budget Deficit
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Veterans Day Resources from the Library of Congress
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World Savvy educating and engaging youth in world affairs
Regional museums and historic sites:
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B & O Railroad Museum – Interpreting and presenting virtually every aspect of American railroad development and its impact on our society, culture and economy.
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Baltimore Museum of Art – Creating an environment that inspires creativity, encourages learning, and fosters human understanding.
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Baltimore Museum of Industry – Collecting, preserving, and interpreting the industrial and technological heritage of the Baltimore region.
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– Interpreting four National Historic Landmarks: the Lightship Chesapeake, the USCGC Taney, the USS Torsk, and the Seven Foot Knoll Lighthouse.
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Baltimore Public Works Museum – Offering exhibits and programs on the way that public works shapes an urban environment.
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Banneker-Douglass Museum – Preserving Maryland’s African American heritage.
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Carroll Mansion and Phoenix Shot Tower – Spearheading the revitalization of historic sites through innovation, collaboration, and culutral stewardship.
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The Edward H. Nabb Research Center for Delmarva History and Culture - Distinctive photograph and artifact collections bring the Eastern Shore of the past 150 years to life, offering insight into its traditions and heritage.
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Fire Museum of Maryland – Educating the public about the history, people, equipment, and techniques of the fire service of the United States.
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Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine
A Documentary Research Revealing the Secrets of Afshartoos Assassination
– Birthplace of the National Anthem
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Frederick Douglass – Isaac Myers Maritime Park – Highlighting African American maritime history.
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Hampton National Historic Site
A Short History of the Christian Church: For Students and General Readers
– Telling the story of people — enslaved African Americans, indentured servants, industrial and agricultural workers, and owners.
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Historic London Town and Gardens – Offering interpretive, recreational, and educational programs about historical, archaeological, and horticultural offerings.
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Historic St. Mary’s City – Interpreting the history and archaeology of the site of Maryland’s first capital.
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Historical Society of Frederick County – Increasing public awareness and appreciation of the history of Frederick County.
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Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum – Exploring the changing cultures and environment of the Chesapeake Bay region of the past 12,000 years.
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Jewish Museum of Maryland – Collecting, preserving, and studying the history, traditions, and culture of Jewish life in Maryland.
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The Maryland Historical Society - Preserving the history of Maryland from prehistory to present.
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National Museum of Civil War Medicine – Preserving and researching the legacy of Civil War medical innovation.
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Reginald F. Lewis Museum of African American History and Culture – Presenting compelling and triumphant stories of ordinary and extraordinary African American heroes in Maryland.
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Small Museum Association – Listing of small museums in the Mid-Atlantic region.
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Walters Art Museum – Bringing art and people together for enjoyment, discovery, and learning.