Dreams and Deeds: The Civic Mission of Schools
The 89th NCSS Conference in Atlanta will ask presenters to address our key responsibility as social studies educators: preparing young citizens to make a better world. In planning your presentation, please consider how you might best address one of these conference strands.
Teaching for Social Justice and Human Rights
Black history, women’s history, honoring diversity, teaching about genocide, and minority rights--these topics are all critical to the social studies curriculum. What are the best materials and methods to foster social responsibility? In this year of the Lincoln Bicentennial, we will also feature lessons that teach about Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War.
The Economy
The national and global financial crisis mandates that every student should leave school with a solid understanding of trade, fiscal and monetary policy, banking, and personal finance. Institutions like the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta offer resources to help social studies educators achieve that goal. How will we incorporate economics into the constellation of social studies courses, at all grade levels?
Citizenship and the Democratic Process
Active learning models democracy in all areas of the curriculum. How do we teach information gathering, critical thinking, group problem solving, and the appreciation of multiple perspectives in our classrooms?
Technology and Mass Media
Our students live online in a Facebook, rapid texting, multiple media outlets world. Does this abundance of information sources translate into effective social studies experiences for tech-savvy learners?
Community Involvement and Service Learning
Connecting classrooms with the community creates a win-win dynamic. Our students benefit from access to the resources of museums, historical societies, and local agencies. At the same time, they learn how to give back to the community in myriad ways. How can we expand community connections to our social studies classrooms?
Effective Instructional Strategies
As social studies educators, we cover a broad range of content areas. What unites us is our commitment to effective instructional strategies that create authentic learning opportunities and help our young citizens master key 21st century skills. What classroom-tested strategies do you have to share with your fellow educators?
Presentation Types
You may propose a presentation in any of the following formats:
- Sessions (1 hour): Informal presentations that include opportunities for audience participation. All sessions will be presented on Friday and Saturday.
- Workshops (2 hours): A more intensive format with time for hands-on experiences. All workshops will be presented on Sunday morning.
- Poster presentation (1 hour): An opportunity for presenters to illustrate an innovative lesson, teaching strategy, or research result. All poster presentations will be offered on Friday and Saturday.
- Pre-Conference Clinics: Ticketed half-day or full-day explorations of specific topics. All clinics are held on Thursday prior to the main conference program. If interested in presenting a clinic, please complete the separate clinic proposal form.
Presenters may not submit more than two proposals or include themselves as participants on more than two proposals. Presentation slots are limited. Historically, the acceptance rate for sessions has been approximately 50 percent. For workshops, the acceptance rate has been lower, and for poster presentations higher.
Selection Criteria
The NCSS Program Planning Committee uses the following criteria in reviewing proposals:
- Does the proposal relate to the theme and strands of the conference?
- Do the title and abstract match the presentation description?
- Do the discipline and primary audience designations correlate with the description?
- Are the objectives clearly stated?
- Does the proposal create a clear picture of how this presentation will flow?
- Are the content and/or skills discussed relevant to the intended audience?
- Are there opportunities for audience interaction?
- Can the objectives be met and activities completed in the time and format selected?
- Has the person submitting the proposal submitted more than two proposals?
- Is this a session that you would want to attend?
Presenter Registration
All presenters are required to register for the conference by the advanced registration deadline.
Presentation Materials and Audio-Visual Equipment
Presenters are responsible for providing any materials they plan to use or distribute in their presentation. They are responsible for the costs of any A-V equipment needed. You will find those costs listed on the proposal form. If your proposal is accepted, NCSS will confirm your audiovisual needs and you will be billed for the options you chose.
Commercial Solicitation
Commercial solicitation is prohibited at all presentations. If you are representing a commercial interest, your presentation must be educational in nature. If the essential purpose of a proposal is to promote books, materials, or services for sale, it will not be accepted.
Inappropriate Content
Proposals that contain negative references based on ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation or beliefs will not be considered.
Notification
Acceptance/rejection notification will be sent via email to the primary presenters in the spring. It is their responsibility to relay that information to all co-presenters. Scheduling information will be sent to all participants during the summer.
The deadline for submitting proposals is February 2, 2009
Presenters: Review & Program Committees: Program Chair: