Minnesota Council for the Social Studies News

Constitution Arguments at the U.S. Constitution Exhibit

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 01:30:49 GMT

Curious about using Moot Court Simulations, sometimes called Mock Oral Arguments, in your classroom? Here is your chance to learn more.

High school students will argue hypothetical court cases in front of a panel of Minnesota judges from the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals. This simulation focuses on the application of the U.S. Constitution to real life situations.

May 12, 1:15 pm - 2 pm
U.S. Constitution Exhibit
Minnesota History Center

Revised Social Studies Standards Posted

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:06:42 GMT

The revised Minnesota K-12 Social Studies Standards have been posted on the Minnesota Department of Education website.

The posted document is the final draft of the proposed revision of the 2004 standards. This draft is currently proceeding through the administrative rule-making process. If adopted into rule, the 2011 standards must be implemented into schools no later than the 2013-2014 school year.

At the MCSS conference, assistant commissioner Rose Chu will be presenting in the afternoon, focusing on the standards and the revision process.

Teachers of the Year Announced

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:45:45 GMT

The MCSS Board has chosen the 2012 Teachers of the Year, from a pool of outstanding applicants! The honorees are:

Elementary: Kellie Friend. Turtle Lake Elementary School, Mounds View.

Middle: Missy Klapperich. Cannon Falls Middle School, Cannon Falls.

High: Mary Jo Merrick-Lockett. Anoka High School, Anoka.

The Teachers of the Year will be honored at the gala and awards banquet on Sunday, March 4 at the St. Cloud Holiday Inn. Please join us at the gala to congratulate these excellent teachers of social studies!

Keynote Speakers Confirmed

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 21:17:38 GMT

Three keynote speakers have been confirmed for the MCSS annual conference.

The keynote for the gala and awards banquet is Dr. Mark Schug, professor emeritus from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Dr. Schug has served as a national fellow for the National Council on Economic Education, and works as a consultant and economic and personal finance education, and urban education policy.

At the annual conference, three keynotes have been confirmed: Mark Ritchie, the Minnesota Secretary of State; John Moore, president-elect for the National Council for Social Studies; and Rose Chu, the Assistant Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Education. Ms. Chu will answer questions about the social studies standards revision.

Conference Registration Pricing

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 17:01:06 GMT

Sunday Gala and Monday Conference Package:

$190 (non-members)
$170 (members)

Gala Only: $40

Monday Conference Only:

$150
$130 (five teachers or more from the same school/district)
$75 (presenters or retirees)
$60 (students)