ENGAGE: Teaching the Social Studies Podcast

13. Teaching Ideas in an Election Year

Justin shares tips and strategies for teaching social studies in an interactive way during an election year.  He discusses classroom environment changes, strategies for approaching the election, making the election more fun to follow for different high school age groups, and strategies for approaching AP US Government and Politics in an election year as well.  

12. Summer Travel & PD Opportunities for Teachers

Summer has been so busy for Alisha and Justin that it took them a whole month to get this episode published.  Today, they discuss their summer adventures, including Alisha's trip to Washington, DC with her middle school students, her professional development sessions at Founding Forward/Freedoms Foundation in Philadelphia and the prestigious White House History Teacher Institute. They also chat about the Sphere Summit in DC, highlighting how these experiences enrich their teaching and expand their professional networks. 
Founding Forward (Freedoms Foundation)
White House Teacher Institute
Sphere Summit
Teacher PD Opportunities Facebook Page

11. Navigating Civic Education -- The Policymaking Systems

In our third installment on civics education, we dive deep into the structures of government and the policy-making process. Join Justin as he shares innovative classroom activities, including simulations of Congress, creative visual representations of government types, and mini moot court cases. Discover effective strategies to engage students in understanding federalism, the legislative process, the Electoral College, and the powers of the presidency.
 
First Episode on Civic Education
Second Episodr on Civic Education
Mock Congress Template
Sample Bill from Mock Congress
Sample Bill from Mock Congress 2
Electoral College Discussion
Street Law Website
Mini Moot Court Case Instructions WITH Cases!

10. Review Games and Activities in the AP (or any) Classroom

Buckle up for a wild ride through review season mayhem! Justin turns pre-AP exam review into an all-out gameplay extravaganza, complete with leaderboards, calendars packed with mini-games, competitive board game battles, and short answer sprints set to classic 70s-90s rock. 
 
SCOTUS Madness Bracket Example
Make Your Own Connections Puzzles
Codenames
Hexagon Generator
Hexagonal Thinking
Copy of AP Gov SPRINT
Copy of AP Gov TABOO
Blooket
Gimkit
 

9. Teaching the Holocaust: Innovative Methods and Essential Resources

Delve into the intricacies of Holocaust education with Justin on this episode of Engage.  With invaluable resources and innovative teaching methods, this episode equips educators with the tools to engage students deeply in understanding the Holocaust's profound impact and enduring lessons.
 
Teaching about pre-Holocaust genocide/atrocities from the Herero to the Holodomor
Holocaust and Human Behavior by Facing History
Echoes and Reflections Lessons Plans and Resources
Holocaust Education Resource Center
https://teachholocaust.org/
Dimensions in Testimony
USHMM Timeline Activity
USHMM

8. Teaching Social Studies in the Age of AI

Join us as we delve into the exciting world of integrating AI tools and strategies into social studies classrooms. Discover how these innovative resources can enhance engagement, critical thinking, and historical inquiry for students of all levels. Learn how educators can leverage AI to transform their teaching and create dynamic learning experiences.
Resources:
ChatPDF - Chat with any PDF!
Diffit for Teachers
Claude
Adobe Firefly
Craiyon - Your FREE AI image generator tool: Create AI art!

7. Navigating Civic Education -- Teaching Civil Liberties and Citizenship

Today’s topic focuses, once again, on civics with a discussion of how Justin approaches teaching civil liberties, civil rights, and citizenship in his classroom. Resources described in the video can be found below.  If you missed the last episode on Navigating Civic Education, find it here for Apple listeners or here for everyone else.
 
Street Law Court Case Descriptions
Landmark Cases
Justin’s Civil Liberties/Rights Slides
Freedom of Religion from Retro Report
Campaign Finance and Citizens United from Retro Report
NY Times v. US/Freedom of Press from Retro Report
Ida B. Wells and the fight for federal anti-lynching laws from Retro Report
Sign Up for the Amazing Retro Report Newsletter
Iron Chef Civil Rights Template
Iron Chef Civil Rights Example
Women’s Rights Movement Lesson Plan

6. Stagecraft & Social Studies: Bringing History to Life!

Join Justin in a discussion of how to utilize drama (acting, musicals, puppets, and posing) to enhance social studies learning and ENGAGEment in the classroom (sometimes with a little help from the AI).  Ideas range from more teacher controlled/guided to more student controlled depending on the student involved and the subject matter.
 
Scripted Trial 

5. Navigating Civic Education -- Foundations of Democracy

In the first episode of a series on Civics education, Justin discusses his work on the WI Civics Scope and Sequence (specifically with the HS scope and sequence) and breaks down ideas for approaching the teaching of the Foundations of Democracy and Democratic Decision Making.  Great connections to AP US Government and Politics but also useful ideas and strategies for any government/civics course.
 
WI Civics Scope and Sequence
Rule of Law Lesson Plan from Street Law
Justin Breaks down the Declaration of Independence
Preamble Song
Street Law’s Landmark Court Case Briefs
https://landmarkcases.org/

4. Easy Ways to Build Connections in your Classroom!

Justin and Alisha discuss strategies they implement to build connections with their students and increase engagement in the classroom along the way.  Strategies shared may be applicable to subjects beyond the social studies and beyond middle and high school.
 
Resources Mentioned:
Teachers These Days
Kagan Strategies
Flipgrid
Beginning of the Year Survey Example
Post-Exam Survey Example