Social studies colleagues,
Welcome to the 2019 Best Practices in Social Studies Institute! This is the sixth year of the Best Practices in Social Studies Institute. Our goal in offering the institute is to ensure ongoing access to professional development in social studies across the state. This year’s institute focuses on helping support implementation of Iowa’s new social studies. Over the course of the next two days, you will have the chance to attend over 40 different sessions. Each of these sessions are connected to a best practice in social studies education and also support the new standards in some way- whether it be modeling a pedagogical practice or supporting new content required by the standards.
A special thanks to all of the individuals and organizations who made the institute possible. Without their support each year, the institute would not be possible. A special thanks to Johnston Schools for letting us use their facility for this event. Additionally, thanks to Social Studies.com for providing refreshments each morning of the institute.
Here are some other important pieces of information regarding this year’s institute:
Institute StructureGetting to Johnston Middle School
The address of Johnston Middle School is 6501 NW 62nd Ave. Johnston, IA 50131. You can access directions by going here.Parking
Parking is free and readily available.
License Renewal Credit
You can register for ONE license renewal credit by going to here. In order to receive the credit, you must fully attend the institute (sign in both days) and submit a one page reflection paper to stefanie.wager@iowa.gov no later than July 12, 2019. Follow instructions in the link to register and complete the assignment. The credit costs $25.00. Grades will be submitted around August 2019 with transcripts available on www.iseatranscripts.org shortly after that.
Wifi
Guest Network
Password: Win4dragonsLunch
You will have an hour and 15 minutes for lunch each day. Here are some nearby restaurants:
Please share what you are learning at the institute by tagging @IADeptofED and/or using #iasocialstudies.
Other Professional Development Opportunities this Summer
Several other organizations are planning free professional development opportunities for social studies teachers this summer. See an extensive list of national opportunities here and a list of Iowa opportunities here. Many of these offer license renewal credit, resources, and free breakfast or lunch.Survey
Your feedback is important to us. At the end of the institute, please take a moment to complete the short survey found here.
Thanks for all you do each and every day in classrooms across Iowa.