1. Department of social sciences best practices
Training Module 1
This module is designed to provide resources that can be used in Social Studies classrooms to support instruction while creating a learner-centered environment.

2. content Department of Social Sciences Website Effective Lesson Plans
NGSSS-SS Pacing Guides
Item Specifications
Task Cards
Edusoft Resources
In addition to the Department of Social Sciences website this module will cover the following topics: Lesson Plans, NGSSS Pacing Guides, Item Specifications and other available resources.

3. Department of Social sciences website
socialsciences.dadeschools.net
Current News
Documents
Weekly Briefings
Pacing Guides/Lessons
On-line Forms
Competitions
State Mandated Programs
The Department of Social Sciences Website has a variety of resources for teachers. The latest department news will always be posted in the center of the page under “Current News”. Pacing Guides have Common Core Literacy and Writing Standards embedded throughout. The guides also have updates to instructional resources including activities which assist students in mastering Common Core Literacy and Writing Standards. Lesson Plans, important documents, relevant weekly briefings, and on-line forms are also available on the website.

4. Effective lesson plans
Include elements such as:
Clearly defined objectives
Evidence of Student Understanding
Activities that guide students to independence
Differentiated Instruction (DI)
Technology Integration
Sample Social Studies Lesson Plans (Grades 3 – 12):
des.asp
Social Studies Lesson Plan Template:
20Lesson%20Plan%20Template.doc
Effective lesson planning is key in order to maintain an active learning environment. Effective lesson plans include elements such as activities that guide students to independence and Differentiated Instruction (DI). On the department website a lesson plan template is also available for teachers to use when creating original lesson plans.

5. NGSSS Pacing Guides
Included in each grade level Pacing Guide are lesson plans written to both Next Generation Sunshine State Standards (NGSSS) and Common Core State Standards (CCSS). On the Pacing Guide links to lesson plans are highlighted in yellow. Teachers should utilize the Pacing Guide, NGSSS, CCSS and Item Specifications when writing lesson plans.
Click on Pacing Guides/Lessons

6. Item specifications 11th Grade U.S. History Item Specifications:
ools.net/files/U.S.%20History %20Item%20Specifications.pdf
According to the Florida Department of Education, the Specifications is a resource that defines the content and format of the test and test items for item writers and reviewers. The Item Specifications indicates the alignment of test items with the NGSSS. It also serves to provide all stakeholders with information about the scope and function of the end-of-course assessments. (Origin and Purpose of the Specifications)
Item specifications should drive instruction especially in courses that utilize end-of-course assessments to determine a student’s final grade.

7. Task Cards
Instructions for Social Studies Task Use:
Social Studies Task Cards:
The Social Studies Task Cards were created for use with Social Studies content readings. The majority of the questions are taken from the Language Arts task cards but were edited for specific use with Social Studies content. The task cards can be used with primary source documents, works of historical fiction, textbook readings, current events articles or other documents.

8. Teaching with Primary Sources
Primary Source Document Presentation:
For teachers, using primary sources offers many benefits. A learner-centered environment is created while students further develop their inquiry skills. Analyzing primary sources also allows students the opportunity for self-assessment of their learning process.

9. Secondary EDUSOFT Resources Pre/Post Tests for Grades 6,7,8,9,11
Edusoft is a great tool for collecting, tracking and maintaining student performance records on specific benchmarks. Guides for how to use Edusoft are available on topics such as accessing reports, aligning tests through Edusoft and secondary resources on Edusoft.

10. Department of social sciences
Contact Information:
Phone:
Fax:
Website:
For more information please contact the Department of Social Sciences.