Bringing History to Life
Using Student-Written Letters as Authentic Assessments History can often feel like a collection of names, dates, and battles—detached from the real human experiences that shaped the past. But what if…
Mock Trials in High School: Students Speak on Learning, Teamwork, and the Art of Advocacy
Mock trials offer high school students an engaging opportunity to dive into the legal world while cultivating vital skills such as critical thinking, public speaking, and teamwork. Students from Morton High School shared their experiences, highlighting the profound impact of these competitions on their understanding of the legal system and their personal growth. From collaborative strategy sessions to overcoming challenges in public speaking, these students emphasized how mock trials prepare them for future academic and professional endeavors while fostering a sense of civic responsibility. Learn more about the transformative power of mock trials in this inspiring piece by Chenchen Lu.
Setting the Stage for Social Studies Innovation in 2025
As we step into 2025, the Indiana Council for the Social Studies is excited to share key predictions that promise to shape K-12 social studies and civics education in transformative…
Making Discussions Existentially Relevant to Students
Engage your students like never before with strategies to make classroom discussions relevant and meaningful. Discover how connecting academic concepts to students' identities, real-world events, and critical thinking skills can transform learning into a deeply personal and impactful experience. Explore practical approaches, including self-to-world connections, thematic discussions, and Socratic questioning, that empower students to analyze, reflect, and participate in their own education and civic growth. Let’s reimagine the classroom as a space where knowledge meets purpose and engagement thrives!
New High School Diploma Design – A Step Forward, but Not Far Enough
Denise Corbin | President, Indiana Council for the Social Studies (ICSS) Indiana is no stranger to redesigning its high school diplomas. As a veteran educator with 27 years of experience,…
Understanding Indiana Code 20-30-5-4: Enhancing Civic Education for Indiana’s Grades 6-12
As educators in Indiana, one of our critical responsibilities is to prepare students to be informed, engaged citizens. Indiana Code 20-30-5-4 provides a legal framework that ensures all public and…
The 11th Commandment
Given that we are entering the season of heightened political marketing, I am often tempted to joke with my friends and colleagues that Moses must have tripped as he came…
Bye, Bye, Geography!
A conversation started this past spring after the legislature passed a law requiring that new diploma tracks be developed that better linked high school graduates in Indiana to careers in…
Preserving a Legacy: Dr. Vic Smith’s Lifelong Advocacy for Indiana Public Education and His Gift to Future Educators
I was fortunate this summer to reconnect with a good friend and colleague who was paring down his personal collection of social studies treasures. He sought my help with donating…
Teaching Current Events Honestly
Strategies for High School Educators Introduction In today's polarized media landscape, teaching current events requires a thoughtful approach. High school educators must balance the need to present information honestly with…