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Follow the happenings of the 2025 NC Council for the Social Studies conference by following us on X (formerly known as Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram for the latest updates. Also, join the conversation using the hashtag #nccss25 to share anything related to the 2025 NC Council for the Social Studies Conference.

NCCSS Conference Dates - April 24-25

The NCCSS Executive Board and Directors are pleased to share that the 2025 NCCSS Conference, which was postponed due to the Governor’s State of Emergency with the incoming winter storm, has now been rescheduled for April 24-25. The conference will take place at the Koury Convention Center in Greensboro, North Carolina.
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Thursday, April 24
 

9:00am EDT

Engaging Multi-Lingual, Special Education, and ALL Students through DBQ Online LIMITED
Thursday April 24, 2025 9:00am - 9:50am EDT
Using the DBQ Online platform, educators will explore practical methods for engaging students, including Multi-Lingual learners and those requiring accommodations. Participants will learn adaptable scaffolding techniques that foster inquiry and critical thinking across content areas, with a focus on inclusivity and differentiation. This session will empower educators to create DBQ experiences that are both accessible and challenging, ensuring all students are engaged and succeed, regardless of their learning needs.
Speakers
avatar for Jackie Migliori

Jackie Migliori

Regional Director of Professional Development and Partnerships, The DBQ Project
The DBQ Project was founded in 2000 to support teachers and students in learning to read smart, think straight, and write more clearly. As teachers, we believe all students can develop high-level critical thinking skills if they have consistent instruction and a chance to practice... Read More →
Thursday April 24, 2025 9:00am - 9:50am EDT
Auditorium IV - Room sponsored by Ford's Theatre 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27498

9:00am EDT

Case in Point: Teaching Economics and Personal Finance through Real-World Scenarios and Case Studies LIMITED
Thursday April 24, 2025 9:00am - 9:50am EDT
This interactive session will focus on leveraging case studies to teach economics and personal finance concepts to high school students. We will introduce a dynamic approach to using case studies that mirror real-life financial and economic challenges. Attendees will explore how case studies can engage students in analyzing financial situations, developing decision-making strategies, and understanding economic implications. Participants will leave with actionable strategies and resources to implement case-based learning in their classrooms. Participants will work to analyze 2 sample case studies and use those to identify learning opportunities, and brainstorm strategies for classroom application. Emphasis will be placed on engaging students in critical thinking, using structured problem-solving methods, and facilitating discussions on the connection between personal decisions and broader economic outcomes.
Speakers
Thursday April 24, 2025 9:00am - 9:50am EDT
Augusta B 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27492

9:00am EDT

Tackling Tough Topics: Strategies for Standards-Driven Instruction LIMITED
Thursday April 24, 2025 9:00am - 9:50am EDT
This session is designed to empower educators to confidently address challenging or controversial topics in the classroom. The session explores the importance of teaching these topics, strategies for aligning them with academic standards, and techniques for fostering a safe, inclusive environment for discussion.
Speakers
avatar for Amber Smith

Amber Smith

Curriculum Facilitator, Gaston County Schools
avatar for Tendai Gutu

Tendai Gutu

Teacher, Gaston County Schools
I´m Dr. Tendai Gutu, I hold an Ed.D in Leadership and Innovation and have dedicated much of my research to exploring challenging subjects within Social Studies, which I believe is crucial for fostering critical thinking in our students.
Thursday April 24, 2025 9:00am - 9:50am EDT
Tidewater A 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27493

9:00am EDT

Commemorating America 250 in the Classroom LIMITED
Thursday April 24, 2025 9:00am - 9:50am EDT
Help students commemorate the 250th anniversary of the state and nation. The Department of Natural & Cultural Resources is leading the America 250 NC commemoration and has produced resources to help K-12 students learn about change over time for state government and voting rights and explore the question, “When Are We US?” Classroom activities and displays can boost instruction about the founding principles of government and raise questions about citizen rights and responsibilities, while examining the cultural heritage the state preserves and inspiring students to make the past meaningful. This content is especially relevant for U.S. history and civics classes.
Speakers
AB

Adrienne Berney

The State Archives of N.C. collects and preserves government records and private collections, documenting the history of our state. We hope to share a variety of these primary sources to inspire teachers and engage students in the classroom.
Thursday April 24, 2025 9:00am - 9:50am EDT
Pebble Beach 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27497

9:00am EDT

What Fires Together Wires Together: The Science of Simulations LIMITED
Thursday April 24, 2025 9:00am - 9:50am EDT
Simulations requiring physical movement, creativity, and problem-solving—while affecting simulated real-world outcomes—produce the energy necessary to wire the students' neural network for higher recall, better learning, and synthesis. Learn the science of simulations and how to design and implement them to avoid pitfalls and get the best from this dynamic learning strategy.
Speakers
avatar for Bill Norton

Bill Norton

Visiting Scholar, Self-Government Works (Bellevue University)
Bill Norton is a public speaker, author, and expert on the principles of liberty and the U.S. Constitution. He co-authored The Miracle of America, Speaking the Language of Liberty, and Behind the Bill of Rights. For 20 years, Bill has worked with the National Center for Constitutional... Read More →
Thursday April 24, 2025 9:00am - 9:50am EDT
Sandpiper 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27495

10:00am EDT

Revolutionary Women: Teaching the American Revolution through Women's History LIMITED
Thursday April 24, 2025 10:00am - 10:50am EDT
As the nation approaches its 250th anniversary, explore the contributions and challenges women faced leading up to and during the American Revolution. Using resources from “Women & the American Story” (WAMS), the New York Historical’s free online curriculum guide, learn how to seamlessly integrate these significant, yet often overlooked, stories into your classroom practice. This session will model inquiry-based activities that can strengthen students’ critical thinking skills when studying US History.
Speakers
Thursday April 24, 2025 10:00am - 10:50am EDT
Sandpiper 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27495

11:00am EDT

Tar Heel Boys and Girls State - Information Session LIMITED
Thursday April 24, 2025 11:00am - 11:50am EDT
The Tar Heel Boys and Girls state programs are the premier government in action summer leadership programs in the state for rising high school seniors. This session will be an in depth look at the programs and will explain how we build government from the city and county levels, create political parties and platforms, and elect a governor of our fictious state in the span of one week. We will also discuss how to find the local contacts in your area so your students are represented.
Thursday April 24, 2025 11:00am - 11:50am EDT
Augusta B 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27492

11:00am EDT

Engaging Minds: The Impact of Regular Discussion in Inquiry-Based Social Studies LIMITED
Thursday April 24, 2025 11:00am - 11:50am EDT
This session explores the role of structured, regular discussion in enhancing student engagement and deepening understanding within an inquiry-based social studies framework. The presenter will share a flexible tool that was featured on C3Teahers.org to help facilitate reflection in student discussions, enabling educators to capture students' evolving thoughts, questions, and insights over time. By integrating this tool, teachers can create a dynamic classroom environment where students actively construct knowledge through dialogue throughout the inquiry process, critically examine diverse perspectives, and develop essential communication and reasoning skills. The session will provide practical strategies for implementing regular discussions and utilizing tools to support inquiry, foster deeper learning, and promote student-centered engagement.
Speakers
avatar for Gretchyn Bedard

Gretchyn Bedard

Social Studies Teacher, Iredell-Statesville Schools
Gretchyn has been using C3 IDM for over a decade, building resources and offering PD to support classroom adoption of inquiry. She teaches World History & Economics & Personal Finance & is an advocate for the ethical use of AI in the classroom.  Currently she works with several organizations... Read More →
Thursday April 24, 2025 11:00am - 11:50am EDT
Auditorium IV - Room sponsored by Ford's Theatre 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27498

11:00am EDT

"What'd She Say?" - Diverse Voices from Women's History LIMITED
Thursday April 24, 2025 11:00am - 11:50am EDT
High school and middle school teachers will be introduced to instructional activities and bell ringers available through ABC-CLIO and other sources that support inquiry based learning and critical thinking. Participants will take on the role of students as they engage with a sample bell ringer and instructional activity that brings to life diverse female voices and untold stories from Women’s History in the United States. Teachers will leave the session with a full lesson including primary and secondary sources to use in the classroom.
Speakers
Thursday April 24, 2025 11:00am - 11:50am EDT
Victoria 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

11:00am EDT

From Barriers to Bridges: Supporting Multilingual Learners Through Lesson Design LIMITED
Thursday April 24, 2025 11:00am - 11:50am EDT
Are you struggling with modifying lessons for Multilingual (EL) Learners? Come to this session to see how two teachers have modified lessons to make content accessible for Multilingual (EL) learners. Participants will receive modified lesson plan samples in the following subjects: World History, Economics and Personal Finance, and Civic Literacy and strategies to help you modify your lessons in the future. You are encouraged to bring a lesson that you would like help modifying for your classroom.
Thursday April 24, 2025 11:00am - 11:50am EDT
Sandpiper 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27495

2:00pm EDT

Dodging Bullets on a Dying Planet: The Challenges and Benefits of an Action-based Civics Curriculum LIMITED
Thursday April 24, 2025 2:00pm - 2:50pm EDT
The purpose of this work is to create a modified civics curriculum designed to address issues of polarization, trust in democratic institutions, and political efficacy for students in a Title 1 urban high school. Principles of action civics were used with an emphasis on local and state politics. The curriculum was designed with the goal of giving students hands-on experience with the final step of the Inquiry Model: taking informed action.
Speakers
avatar for John Hensley

John Hensley

PhD candidate, North Carolina State University
I am interested in all aspects of civic education, especially curricula that is student-centered, action-based and uses inquiry methods.I am currently a social studies teacher in Wake County and also a PhD candidate at NC State. My dissertation is based on a civics elective I created... Read More →
Thursday April 24, 2025 2:00pm - 2:50pm EDT
Tidewater A 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27493

2:00pm EDT

Wilmington 1898: Geographies of Rage, Resistance, and Resilience LIMITED
Thursday April 24, 2025 2:00pm - 2:50pm EDT
Director and co-directors of a 2024 National Endowment for the Humanities Summer Teacher Institute focusing on the Wilmington coup and massacre will share a variety of digital resources as well as lesson plans created by the teachers who attended the institute. A brief overview of the coup and massacre, classroom-ready resources, and plans for more professional development sessions will be shared. This session aligns with content for 4th grade, 8th grade, and American history courses.
Speakers
avatar for Cara Ward

Cara Ward

Assistant Professor, University of North Carolina Wilmington
LM

Lynn Mollenauer

Chair, University of North Carolina Wilmington
Thursday April 24, 2025 2:00pm - 2:50pm EDT
Sandpiper 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27495

2:00pm EDT

Using the Social Studies FIELD Guide to Engage Your Learners and Create Powerful Learning LIMITED
Thursday April 24, 2025 2:00pm - 2:50pm EDT
Powerful learning happens when we share powerful evidence, ask compelling questions, and integrate edtech tools into lesson designs! We’ll showcase beginner, moderate, & veteran-level exemplar lessons based on the FIELD Guide, all guaranteed to engage students with primary sources, inquiry, and tech tools. Leave with ready-to-use materials and planning strategies. Objectives: This session will: Highlight the latest research on the impact of foundational evidence, inquiry-based activities, and technology tools on student achievement. Model concrete & practical strategies for integrating primary sources and edtech tools into inquiry-centered instructional activities, each one targeted to specific teacher experience and comfort levels. Demonstrate a framework for creating research-based lessons and units focused on increasing student content knowledge and historical thinking skills. Engage participants in small group and whole group discussions about how best to adapt our exemplars and to share their own best practice examples. Content/Skills: Attendees will: Learn about the FIELD Guide, a research-based framework for integrating foundational evidence, inquiry-based thinking skills, and edtech tools into social studies classrooms. Learn how to find powerful primary sources and integrate them in a variety of inquiry-based learning activities. Be introduced to the skills needed to find, rank, and integrate the most effective technology tools into their social studies instructional designs, using the FIELD Guide checklist. Build confidence in making lesson plan design decisions that align with their teaching experience level, background using foundational evidence, and comfort with using technology. Get a preview of a soon-to-be-published book about teaching social studies from Corwin publishing.
Speakers
Thursday April 24, 2025 2:00pm - 2:50pm EDT
Pebble Beach 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27497

2:00pm EDT

"Black Churches and the Civil Rights Movement: Leadership and Memory " LIMITED
Thursday April 24, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
This Poster Session will feature a curriculum unit with students looking at the Civil Rights Movement through the lens of the Black Churches. Students will explore why groups like SNCC and SCLC were formed and how they mobilize Blacks and Whites to stand up and speak out against inequalities faced by Blacks in the South. Students will understand why so many Civil Rights Leaders became Reverends and how they used the First Amendment to fight back against their oppressors. Students will examine the various Civil Rights Churches and the impact they had on the movement and their implications for today’s society. Students will research the role North Carolina’s Black Churches and their leaders played in the Civil Rights movement and share their findings with their peers through a product of their choice.
Speakers
Thursday April 24, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
Vendor & Exhibit Hall 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

2:00pm EDT

"It Takes a Candidate: Women in Politics and Why We Need More"
Thursday April 24, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
This Poster Session will be a curriculum unit in which students learn more about how women have made some political gains in running and holding political office. However, women still do not run for office nearly as much as men do, and there is still a gap in their holding of offices. This unit will give students the chance to see and understand why there is a gap between women and men holding political offices from the local to the federal levels and how this gap could be closed.
Speakers
Thursday April 24, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
Vendor & Exhibit Hall 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

2:00pm EDT

"Voices of Change: The Modern Black Freedom Struggle in Charlotte, North Carolina"
Thursday April 24, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
This poster session will feature a curriculum unit to explore the Modern Freedom Movement in Charlotte, North Carolina, providing them with insight into the contemporary Black freedom struggle. By contextualizing this movement within the broader Civil Rights Movement in the South, students will engage critically with its historical significance and evolution. The curriculum features a diverse range of primary sources, including newspaper articles, photographs, and impactful speeches, allowing students to analyze the rich narratives that have influenced the fight for racial equality. Students will investigate the contributions of prominent local figures such as Dorothy Counts, Reginald A. Hawkins, Julius Chambers, and Bertha Maxwell-Roddey, as well as the vital work of journalists like Trezzvant Anderson. Through this comprehensive exploration, participants will uncover the powerful stories that have shaped their community's activism and resilience. This unit not only fosters a deeper appreciation for the ongoing struggle for justice but also empowers students to recognize the importance of local efforts in the pursuit of equality. By connecting historical events to present-day realities, students will be inspired to engage in meaningful dialogue and action within their communities.
Speakers
Thursday April 24, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
Vendor & Exhibit Hall 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

2:00pm EDT

Global to Local: Understanding Asian American Migration Through North Carolina Stories
Thursday April 24, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
This poster explores how global migration patterns shape local communities, using North Carolina's Asian American populations as a living lens for understanding immigration, identity, and cultural preservation. Through case studies like Greensboro's vibrant Cambodian refugee community and other Asian American experiences across the state, educators will discover powerful ways to integrate migration stories into their World History and Civics curricula. Participants will receive ready-to-use lesson plans that help students connect international movements to local communities, examining how families navigate major life decisions across cultures and generations. Perfect for teachers seeking to enrich their coverage of migration, globalization, and cultural identity.
Speakers
Thursday April 24, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
Vendor & Exhibit Hall 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

2:00pm EDT

Literacy for Civic Life: Innovative Civic Literacy in Diverse Settings
Thursday April 24, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
Attendees will examine curricular experiences for students and professional learning content for teachers that aim to address the civic literacy crisis that exists in the U.S. today. Discover what is being learned from North Carolina teachers implementing this work as part of a fellowship in high-need urban and rural schools. Attendees will learn how Literacy for Civic Life (LCL) fellowship teachers are using the LCL curriculum to enhance their teaching, and what they learned in the process about using intensive reading and writing tasks and instruction to teach across the C3 inquiry arc while focusing on civic literacy.
Speakers
avatar for Rob Kasher

Rob Kasher

Chief Program Officer, Literacy Design Collaborative
Thursday April 24, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
Vendor & Exhibit Hall 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

3:00pm EDT

State Lotteries: From Colonial Times to the N.C. Education Lottery.
Thursday April 24, 2025 3:00pm - 3:50pm EDT
U.S. History: State Lotteries: From Colonial Times to the N.C. Education Lottery. The history of U.S. lotteries dates back to Colonial Times. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin in their day all employed lotteries to raise money for good causes. The popularity of lotteries has waxed and waned. Today, they are more popular than ever. Last year, North Carolina employed its state lottery to raise more than $1 billion for education programs in our state. The test for state lotteries today will be if this time in history their popularity can be sustained.
Speakers
Thursday April 24, 2025 3:00pm - 3:50pm EDT
Tidewater A 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27493

3:00pm EDT

Experiential Learning: Engaging with Critical Social Studies Issues via Simulations LIMITED
Thursday April 24, 2025 3:00pm - 3:50pm EDT
Simulations allow us to put students in replicated situations, in places they should never have to experience in the real world, and from this they can build empathy, critical thinking, and gain an understanding that is simply unobtainable from traditional media. In this session, participants will learn evidence-based support for experiential learning, engage in demonstrations of simulations, and leave with a resource list of a plethora of online and in-person simulations. Topics range from World History to Economics/Personal Finance to American History. Participants are encouraged to bring a charged, Wi-Fi-enabled device and headphones/earbuds.
Speakers
avatar for Tarra Ellis

Tarra Ellis

Interim Dean/Associate Professor, Wingate University
Tarra Ellis is a National Board Certified Teacher with almost 30 years of experience in diverse K-12 and higher education classrooms. She holds a B.A. in Middle Grades Education (UNC Chapel Hill), an M.Ed. in Middle and Secondary Education, and a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction... Read More →
Thursday April 24, 2025 3:00pm - 3:50pm EDT
Victoria 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

3:00pm EDT

Igniting Inquiry: National History Day in North Carolina Classrooms LIMITED
Thursday April 24, 2025 3:00pm - 3:50pm EDT
Empower your students to become historians! Join National History Day (NHD) State Coordinator Karen Ipock and Davidson County Schools educator Ashley Coons, also a former NHD student, as they explore how the program brings historical inquiry to life for students. This yearlong, inquiry-based program aligns with NC educational standards and promotes critical thinking in state, U.S., and World History. You’ll leave with tools to inspire student curiosity and meaningful historical exploration, along with resources to easily incorporate it into your classroom. This workshop is perfect for middle and high school teachers seeking active, integrative, and challenging approaches to social studies!
Speakers
avatar for Ashley Coons

Ashley Coons

AIG Specialist, Davidson County Schools
Thursday April 24, 2025 3:00pm - 3:50pm EDT
Pebble Beach 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27497

3:00pm EDT

Insights from the Bill of Right’s Institute’s Civic Literacy Standards-Alignment Workshop LIMITED
Thursday April 24, 2025 3:00pm - 3:50pm EDT
You no longer have to read through all of the 6,000 classroom-ready lessons that are available for free on the Bill of Rights Institute's website. https://billofrightsinstitute.org/north-carolina-bri-aligned-state-standards A cohort of North Carolina teachers has aligned 86 of their best lessons to our Civic Literacy standards. If you are confused by our state’s unpacking document, start here for a simple roadmap that will help organize your instruction, cover all your content, and set your students up for success in understanding the American system of government.
Speakers
Thursday April 24, 2025 3:00pm - 3:50pm EDT
Tidewater B 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27494

4:00pm EDT

Inquiries in EPF and Scaffolding for All LIMITED
Thursday April 24, 2025 4:00pm - 4:50pm EDT
This presentation will explore how inquiry-based instruction can be applied in Economics and Personal Finance classrooms, with a focus on scaffolding strategies for diverse student abilities. Participants will learn how inquiry can work for all learners by anticipating knowledge gaps, supporting vocabulary development, integrating technology, and engagement strategies. Through a combination of lecture, participation in engaging techniques, and sharing resources, educators will gain practical tools to enhance instructional planning and student engagement. This session is designed to empower teachers with effective strategies for implementing inquiry in social studies education.
Speakers
Thursday April 24, 2025 4:00pm - 4:50pm EDT
Tanglewood 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27496

4:00pm EDT

James Madison's World Impact: A Premier Pragmatic Politician LIMITED
Thursday April 24, 2025 4:00pm - 4:50pm EDT
James Madison was frail, had a soft voice, and not healthy enough to fight in the Revolutionary War. He also treated people as property his entire adult life. Nonetheless, he was an incredible political pragmatist who contemporaries called "The Father of the Constitution" and was the driving force for 11+ Amendments to the Constitution. Additionally, we'll discuss 20+ annual scholarships for North Carolina Educators at a wide variety of 3-day Constitutional Seminars onsite at James Madison's Montpelier each year.
Speakers
avatar for Patrick Campbell

Patrick Campbell

Center for the Constitution, Asst. Director, James Madison's Montpelier
Thursday April 24, 2025 4:00pm - 4:50pm EDT
Sandpiper 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27495

4:00pm EDT

New Antisemitism: The Mutation of Antisemitism and AntiZionism LIMITED
Thursday April 24, 2025 4:00pm - 4:50pm EDT
This session will explore the mutation of antisemitism from its historical roots to its contemporary manifestations and how to best teach students today to recognize antisemitism online, in the news, and in the world today. This session is a must for any educator teaching the Holocaust, WWII, World Religions, Media Literacy, Contemporary Events, US History, and/or leading inclusion initiatives at their schools. School administrators should also consider attending or order to ensure Jewish students feel safe in schools today.
Thursday April 24, 2025 4:00pm - 4:50pm EDT
Auditorium IV - Room sponsored by Ford's Theatre 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27498
 
Friday, April 25
 

8:00am EDT

Managing Multiple Perspectives in Sources and your Students LIMITED
Friday April 25, 2025 8:00am - 8:50am EDT
Discover teaching strategies that foster critical analysis of history through diverse sources. Learn to engage students in discussions and activities promoting empathy, understanding, and historical thinking skills. By attending this session, participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of teaching history from multiple viewpoints using diverse sources. They will learn new skills, teaching methods, content, lesson ideas, and applications of technology.
Speakers
Friday April 25, 2025 8:00am - 8:50am EDT
Auditorium IV - Room sponsored by Ford's Theatre 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27498

8:00am EDT

Wilmington 1898: Teaching Challenging Topics LIMITED
Friday April 25, 2025 8:00am - 8:50am EDT
Discover innovative ways to teach the pivotal story of Wilmington 1898, a moment of racial injustice and democratic upheaval, using PBS’s American Experience episode Wilmington 1898: American Coup. Explore strategies to engage students with primary sources, multimedia content, and inquiry-based learning that connects this historical event to broader themes in American history and global struggles for equity and justice and learn about ongoing professional development opportunities that will equip you to foster critical thinking and meaningful discussions on citizenship and the enduring impact of history in your classroom.
Speakers
MT

Melissa Thibault

Chief Education and Innovation Officer, University of North Carolina/PBS North Carolina
Digital and distance education. Open content. Equity of access.
Friday April 25, 2025 8:00am - 8:50am EDT
Tidewater A 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27493

8:00am EDT

Integrating Social Sciences and the Arts: Promoting Rigor, Differentiation, and Belonging for All Scholars! LIMITED
Friday April 25, 2025 8:00am - 8:50am EDT
This professional development (PD) session is designed to provide educators with effective strategies for creating rigorous and engaging Social Studies classrooms. The focus will be on fostering a sense of belonging, promoting arts integration, differentiation, and supporting reading and writing across the curriculum, all while emphasizing cultural relevance. Participants will explore how the arts can enrich social studies education and learn methods to incorporate the arts to encourage critical thinking, engagement, and creativity in their lessons. This session will equip educators with the knowledge and skills needed to design dynamic classrooms that enhance student learning, promote inclusivity, and improve achievement in social studies. I am confident that this PD experience will be both enriching and valuable for all participants.
Speakers
CM

Charlene Martin-Klein

K12 Social Studies Currictulum Specialist, Durham Public Schools
Friday April 25, 2025 8:00am - 8:50am EDT
Tanglewood 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27496

8:00am EDT

Taming the AI Dragon: AI, Informational Text, and Supporting All Learners LIMITED
Friday April 25, 2025 8:00am - 8:50am EDT
Social studies teachers are often faced with dwindling resources and a growing spectrum of student background knowledge and ability levels in their classrooms.One possible solution lies in the seemingly limitless scope of AI platforms and its generative abilities. In this session we’ll discuss takeaways from using multiple AI platforms to support social studies content development as well as the implications on inclusive course content, diverse learners, and Universal Design for Learning.
Speakers
avatar for Charles Patton

Charles Patton

Director of Digital Content and Instruction, WCPSS
I serve on the Digital Learning and Libraries team for WCPSS and work with the Digital Learning Coordinators to support all staff on the selection and integration of digital resources to meet instructional needs. I am a doctoral student at Western Carolina University focusing on improving... Read More →
Friday April 25, 2025 8:00am - 8:50am EDT
Tidewater B 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27494

9:00am EDT

An Inquiry Approach to Culturally Responsive Social Studies Utilizing an Ethnic Studies Framework LIMITED
Friday April 25, 2025 9:00am - 9:50am EDT
This session explores how an inquiry approach to social studies using an ethnic studies framework can make social studies classrooms more inclusive and reflective of global diversity, while building students historical thinking skills. The session will address how the ethnic studies framework can build student learning autonomy, highlight diverse histories, challenge Eurocentric views, and honor the unique experiences, identities, and values of racial and ethnic groups. The ethnic studies and inquiry approaches focus on humanity, agency, and liberation, offering a fuller understanding of history while challenging stereotypes and promoting inclusive, empowering narratives in the social studies classroom. The session is appropriate for any secondary social studies course.
Friday April 25, 2025 9:00am - 9:50am EDT
Augusta B 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27492

9:00am EDT

Of Silk and Silver: Approaching Holocaust Education with Jewish Ritual Objects LIMITED
Friday April 25, 2025 9:00am - 9:50am EDT
In 2021, North Carolina’s General Assembly enacted the Gizella Abramson Holocaust Education Act, requiring Holocaust studies in grades 6–12. This session highlights how Judaica can serve as a rich entry point for teaching the Holocaust by blending broader cultural heritage with individual stories from the Shoah. By using Judaica as primary sources, educators can provide a Jewish-centered perspective while fostering discussions on survival and resilience with a tangible link to the present. Ashley Low, a North Carolina Museum of Art educator and UNCG PhD candidate, will demonstrate how objects from NCMA’s Judaica Gallery inspire thought-provoking conversations about survival and resistance during the Holocaust. Participants will engage in object-based learning activities to spark curiosity about Jewish culture and Holocaust studies. During this session, they will access NCMA’s online and print resources while learning strategies for integrating Jewish life, ritual, and resilience in the classroom. For six months, Ashley has created digital resources that incorporate Jewish art into North Carolina curriculums, merging art, history, and social studies to bring accessible, interdisciplinary studies into classrooms statewide. This session empowers educators to integrate object-based learning into Holocaust education, expanding on themes of Jewish ritual, survival, and resilience and enriching middle and high school curricula.
Speakers
Friday April 25, 2025 9:00am - 9:50am EDT
Auditorium IV - Room sponsored by Ford's Theatre 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27498

9:00am EDT

The Killing of Emmett Till & the Lies We Still Believe LIMITED
Friday April 25, 2025 9:00am - 9:50am EDT
70 years ago, in 1955, the killing of Emmett Till changed the course of American history. Yet, what most people believe about what happened and who did it is based on a lie to cover-up a greater conspiracy. Emmy-winning filmmaker, Loki Mulholland, explores the true history using rarely seen historical documents and excerpts from his documentary, “Emmett Till: White Lies, Black Death”, to examine the facts and what we can learn about teaching honest history today. Participants will have a deeper understanding of the Civil Rights Movement and how to help their students become active participants in exploring history.
Speakers
avatar for Loki Mulholland

Loki Mulholland

Executive Director, The Joan Trumpauer Mulholland Foundation
Loki Mulholland is an Emmy-winning filmmaker, author, activist, and son of civil rights icon, Joan Trumpauer Mulholland. His work has received over 40 Telly Awards and his films on race and social justice issues have won over 20 Best Documentary awards. Loki is the author of multiple... Read More →
Friday April 25, 2025 9:00am - 9:50am EDT
Pebble Beach 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27497

9:30am EDT

Setting up your Classroom in Kindred LIMITED
Friday April 25, 2025 9:30am - 9:55am EDT
It can take hours to find the right resources and even longer to get them ready for your students. Kindred K-12 is an AI-based teaching platform that makes it easier for you to find, adapt, and use high-quality resources, like primary sources, for your classroom. We help social studies teachers build inquiry-based classrooms customized to what works best for them and their students. This session gets you started with Kindred and walks through a demo of what it can do for you. Curriculum and instruction leaders are welcome to learn more about how our technology can encourage research-backed teaching practices in your district. Geared 6-12. All are welcome.
Speakers
Friday April 25, 2025 9:30am - 9:55am EDT
Tidewater B 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27494

10:00am EDT

Incorporating Cuba and Brazil into your Latin American Studies or History Course
Friday April 25, 2025 10:00am - 10:50am EDT
How can you incorporate the histories of Brazil or Cuba in your U.S. History, World History, or Latin American Studies course? With Choices Program curriculum units of course! We’ll explore the student readings, lessons, and videos found in both the History, Revolution, and Reform: New Directions for Cuba unit, and the Brazil: A History of Change unit, and discuss ways you can incorporate them, in whole or in part, into your classroom. Each unit is about 10-15 days in length and is appropriate for middle and high school classrooms. Free one-year Digital Editions license to one of the units (your choice) is provided.
Speakers
Friday April 25, 2025 10:00am - 10:50am EDT
Tidewater A 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27493

10:00am EDT

Debating Our Way to Better Thinking: Three Models for How to Embed Debate Effectively in 6-12 Social Studies LIMITED
Friday April 25, 2025 10:00am - 10:50am EDT
The C3 Framework for Social Studies State Standards prioritizes inquiry, research, and communication skills. However, Sam Wineburg and his colleagues have demonstrated that students need intentional support to discern the usefulness of online information. Debate is a powerful tool to engage students in cultivating these skills. This session will present three models for debate: a historical significance approach for world history; an advocacy twist on the State of the Union address for U.S. history, and a policy orientation for civics. We will cover principles for structuring the debate, teaching online research skills, facilitating collaboration, maximizing engagement, and assessing equitably.
Speakers
Friday April 25, 2025 10:00am - 10:50am EDT
Augusta A 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27491

10:00am EDT

Breaking Barriers to Implementing Inquiry LIMITED
Friday April 25, 2025 10:00am - 10:50am EDT
Social Studies classes are enriched by inquiry – but what about the practicalities of incorporating it into your practice? Teachers attending this session will walk away with research-based materials addressing implementation hurdles of inquiry. Topics include: supporting ELLs, working towards student-led discussion, addressing digital literacies, differentiating inquiry, and improving compelling questions. Materials include lesson plans as well as teacher guides for specific scaffolds with examples. These materials can be incorporated into your existing curriculum and schedule. Geared towards 6-12. All Welcome. Hosted by Kindred K-12.
Speakers
Friday April 25, 2025 10:00am - 10:50am EDT
Tidewater B 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27494

11:00am EDT

Connecting Economics & History in the Classroom LIMITED
Friday April 25, 2025 11:00am - 11:50am EDT
Are you a history teacher thinking of ways to better incorporate economics into your courses? Are you an economics teacher trying to make relevant connections with history? Join this session for a discussion of ways to include economic concepts into your history courses–and ways to draw on history to enhance your economics/EPF courses. Participants will also join in a collaborative activity to match economic concepts/topics with historical events, then consider engaging, standards-aligned activities that can support their students in deepening these connections. It might be helpful to bring your computer, tablet, or mobile phone.
Speakers
avatar for Eric Cain

Eric Cain

Instructor, Christ School
I teach economics (CP Economics, AP Macroeconomics, AP Microeconomics) and U.S. History (CP & Honors). I’m also a mountain biking coach in our school’s Outdoor Program. I serve as a dorm parent and Head of House (South Carolina House).
Friday April 25, 2025 11:00am - 11:50am EDT
Augusta A 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27491

11:00am EDT

The Gizella Abramson Holocaust Education Act LIMITED
Friday April 25, 2025 11:00am - 11:50am EDT
The Gizella Abramson Holocaust Education Act is a very important budgetary item which mandates education about the Holocaust in every grade, in the state of North Carolina. Attend this session and learn more about what this means, and how it can be implemented. 
Speakers
Friday April 25, 2025 11:00am - 11:50am EDT
Pebble Beach 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27497

11:00am EDT

Bridging American History with North Carolina's Teacher-Selected Standards Aligned Resources
Friday April 25, 2025 11:00am - 11:50am EDT
Are you overwhelmed by North Carolina’s 53 page standards unpacking document when planning your classroom instruction? Did you know that a cohort of North Carolina Social Studies teachers aligned Bill of Rights resources to our state standards? Join this interactive presentation of a new website https://billofrightsinstitute.org/north-carolina-bri-aligned-state-standards that showcases the most strongly aligned lessons for your students. Browse through lessons, primary sources, videos, and point-counterpoint debates sure to engage your students and improve their knowledge of American History.
Speakers
Friday April 25, 2025 11:00am - 11:50am EDT
Tidewater B 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27494

11:00am EDT

The Civic Minded Project: Engaging with the Curriculum and Your Community LIMITED
Friday April 25, 2025 11:00am - 11:50am EDT
Student engagement is primarily driven by their ability to make personal connections to their own learning. Through these projects, students take ownership in their learning, connecting national, state or local issues to people and developments in their local area. The project design provides a framework for students to learn more about and engage in their local communities. This knowledge helps to build a sense of pride and respect for themselves, their families and the local area. Designed for Civics Literacy or AP Gov classes.
Speakers
avatar for Kelly Dunbar

Kelly Dunbar

Teacher, Buncombe County Schools
Friday April 25, 2025 11:00am - 11:50am EDT
Tidewater A 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27493

12:00pm EDT

Exploring Taylor Swift's Economic Impact: Lessons in Pop Culture, Business, and Branding LIMITED
Friday April 25, 2025 12:00pm - 12:50pm EDT
Discover how pop culture can transform economic and business education for high school students. This professional development session explores Taylor Swift's remarkable economic impact as a compelling lens for teaching complex business principles. Educators will learn innovative strategies to integrate contemporary case studies into social studies and economics curricula, making learning more engaging and relevant.

 Participants will:

-Analyze Swift's multifaceted economic influence across music, branding, and business
-Develop creative lesson plans that connect pop culture to economic concepts
-Explore cross-curricular approaches that enhance student understanding and motivation


Ideal for social studies teachers, economics instructors, and education leaders seeking dynamic ways to make business principles come alive in the classroom. By leveraging Swift's career, and other relevant pop culture icons, teachers can inspire critical thinking, demonstrate market dynamics, and connect abstract economic theories to students' lived experiences.
This session bridges cultural gaps, transforms traditional teaching methods, and provides practical tools for creating more interactive, memorable economic education.
Speakers
Friday April 25, 2025 12:00pm - 12:50pm EDT
Tidewater A 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27493

12:00pm EDT

Teaching About the Vietnam War in the U.S. or World History Classroom FILLING
Friday April 25, 2025 12:00pm - 12:50pm EDT
The session introduces the student readings, lessons, and videos in the Choices Program’s award-winning unit, The Vietnam War: Origins, History, and Legacies, and provides teachers with a complimentary one-year license to the unit. The session demonstrates an innovative “long history” framework to the study of war and demonstrates ways to bring multiple voices and perspectives into the study of the Vietnam War. Appropriate for U.S. History, World History, Foreign Policy electives, Asian Studies, and several AP and IB courses, the session will include participating in a very abbreviated lesson on creating Historical Narratives and one on women in the Vietnam War.
Speakers
Friday April 25, 2025 12:00pm - 12:50pm EDT
Auditorium IV - Room sponsored by Ford's Theatre 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27498

12:00pm EDT

Analyzing Propaganda and Teaching Media Literacy: The Holocaust as a Case Study LIMITED
Friday April 25, 2025 12:00pm - 12:50pm EDT
Participants explore the events of the Holocaust through the lens of media, by examining propaganda deployed by the Nazis to discriminate against Jews and other minorities. Educators gain tools to facilitate classroom discussions and support students to analyze media in today’s world. This session would be most appropriate for NC social studies courses in grades 6-11.
Speakers
Friday April 25, 2025 12:00pm - 12:50pm EDT
Tanglewood 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27496

12:00pm EDT

The Importance of the Wilmington 1898 Insurrection LIMITED
Friday April 25, 2025 12:00pm - 12:50pm EDT
On November 10, 1898 the only successful coup d'etat in America took place in Wilmington, North Carolina. The insurrection ended with many of Wilmington’s African-American citizens murdered, many more fled Wilmington never to return, while still others were barred from the city in perpetuity. The Daily Record, the black-owned and published newspaper also had its building burned to the ground by insurrectionists. Self-avowed “white supremacists” led the insurrection that had been building for months with racially charged language and accusations. The aftermath of this massacre on Wilmington, North Carolina, and the South as a whole was palpable and repercussions were felt for many decades. This is a part of North Carolina history and United States history about which many are not aware. If you attend this session, you will learn more about the role played by Charles B. Aycock, Furnifold Simmons, Alfred M. Waddell, the Secret 9, the Redshirts, and Alex Manly, as well as The News and Observer. Come to this session to learn more about the famous people, the forgotten people, and the little-known events of the Wilmington Massacre/Insurrection of 1898. We will also discuss how this historical event continues to have an effect on the present.
Speakers
Friday April 25, 2025 12:00pm - 12:50pm EDT
Pebble Beach 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27497

1:00pm EDT

Examine Racial Discrimination in Finance with NGPF LIMITED
Friday April 25, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm EDT
Learn about the history of racism in the financial world with a focus on housing and banking. This session explores the FREE NGPF resources included in the Racial Discrimination in Finance Mini-Unit. This topic is primarily discussed in EPF, but can also apply within a Civic Literacy and American History curriculum focus.
Speakers
avatar for Travis Towne

Travis Towne

Social Studies Department Head, Lenoir County Early College High School
Dr. Travis Towne, a National Board Certified Teacher and Social Studies department chair at Lenoir County Early College High School in Kinston, NC, brings over 18 years of teaching experience in various levels of education. Actively involved in a variety of educational organizations... Read More →
Friday April 25, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm EDT
Pebble Beach 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27497

1:00pm EDT

Engaging Minds: The Impact of Regular Discussion in Inquiry-Based Social Studies LIMITED
Friday April 25, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm EDT
This session explores the role of structured, regular discussion in enhancing student engagement and deepening understanding within an inquiry-based social studies framework. The presenter will share a flexible tool that was featured on C3Teahers.org to help facilitate reflection in student discussions, enabling educators to capture students' evolving thoughts, questions, and insights over time. By integrating this tool, teachers can create a dynamic classroom environment where students actively construct knowledge through dialogue throughout the inquiry process, critically examine diverse perspectives, and develop essential communication and reasoning skills. The session will provide practical strategies for implementing regular discussions and utilizing tools to support inquiry, foster deeper learning, and promote student-centered engagement.
Speakers
avatar for Gretchyn Bedard

Gretchyn Bedard

Social Studies Teacher, Iredell-Statesville Schools
Gretchyn has been using C3 IDM for over a decade, building resources and offering PD to support classroom adoption of inquiry. She teaches World History & Economics & Personal Finance & is an advocate for the ethical use of AI in the classroom.  Currently she works with several organizations... Read More →
Friday April 25, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm EDT
Tidewater B 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27494

1:00pm EDT

Historical Inquiry: A Micro-Q Approach to the Nuremberg Trials LIMITED
Friday April 25, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm EDT
Join us in exploring historical inquiry using a Micro-Q created through NCDPI’s 2024 NC History Unfolded’s Summer DBQ Inquiry-Based Project. This session will explore ethical and historical questions surrounding the Nuremberg Trials. Through engaging activities, participants will critically analyze primary sources while delving into the compelling question of whether the trials should have focused on the individual perpetrators or on the systemic failures that enabled the Holocaust. Leave with a ready to use Micro-Q and primary sources aligned with the NC Standards for grade 8, World, and the new Holocaust elective.
Speakers
avatar for Vashawn Daniels

Vashawn Daniels

Grade 8 ELA/SS, West Craven Middle School
I have been an ELA/SS teacher for 17 years. I am happy to share my experience with the NC History Unfolded Fellows and Retro Report. I want everyone to travel safely to your professional development learning experience.
Friday April 25, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm EDT
Augusta B 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27492

1:00pm EDT

Media Literacy to Promote Civic Engagement LIMITED
Friday April 25, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm EDT
This presentation will explore the importance of media literacy in today's digital age. We will delve into practical strategies and resources that educators can utilize to equip their students with the critical thinking skills necessary to navigate the complex media landscape. Additionally, we will highlight professional development opportunities for teachers to enhance their knowledge and expertise in media literacy, empowering them to foster informed and engaged citizens.
Speakers
avatar for Tom Daugherty

Tom Daugherty

K-12 Social Studies Consultant, NCDPI
Friday April 25, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm EDT
Augusta A 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27491

1:00pm EDT

Worldly Readers & Thinkers: Reading Apprenticeship in North Carolina Social Studies Classrooms LIMITED
Friday April 25, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm EDT
Join our interactive session to explore how Reading Apprenticeship has enhanced disciplinary literacy in Social Studies, aligning with North Carolina's Standard Course of Study Standards. Experience classroom routines, led by a North Carolina Social Studies teacher, that empower students to engage critically with global topics/issues/narratives while fostering empathy and collaboration. Participate in text-based inquiry and discussions that bring historical and contemporary issues to life. Our exemplar lesson is on international trade and its impact on North Carolina. In this particular lesson, you will experience routines to that support reading infographics and reading for making a claim/disciplinary argumentation. You will learn more broadly about how instruction anchored in the Reading Apprenticeship framework can build more engaged and independent readers of Social Studies texts.
Speakers
Friday April 25, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm EDT
Tanglewood 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27496
 
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