CCSS Publications 

One of the great benefits of CCSS membership is a subscription to award winning publications, including a quarterly newsletter (Sunburst), a semi-annual professional journal (Social Studies Review) and the CCSS Website, all written specifically for California social studies educators. In addition, CCSS offers several valuable Special Publications to support history-social science leaders in planning professional development, designing curriculum, and selecting instructional materials.  

CCSS Website 
http://www.ccss.org/ 

The California Council for Social Studies is seeking greater outreach to the history-social science community in California through its website. During the past year, CCSS has been setting new standards for its web presence and creating a completely new site. One of the new features is an opportunity for educators to receive breaking news from the California Legislature about issues that impact the social studies classroom. You will also find all you need for submitting an award nomination, a proposal to present at the annual conference, or to review the sessions at the conference you want to attend. 

CCSS Sunburst 

Sunburst readers know the latest about what is happening in social studies in California and in the nation. The CCSS newsletter is published four times per year, in October, December, February and May. Its twenty plus pages are crammed with news about CCSS, important state curriculum developments, professional development opportunities, lesson ideas, technology resources, editorials, columns and special articles. If you have a successful lesson idea to share and would like to see it in print, please write and submit a “Class Act,” one of Sunburst's most popular features. The format is provided below. You may send your articles or requests for advertising to Sunburst Editor, David Walters at  

How to Write Class Acts 

Class Act Template 

 

CCSS Social Studies Review 

The Social Studies Review is the official journal of the California Council for the Social Studies. It is a nationally recognized and well-respected History-Social Science publication with over 2,400 subscribers. The two annual theme-based issues, 80 pages in length offer cutting edge commentary and ideas for classroom teachers, curriculum consultants, and college-university educators. A large number of special interest articles, from authors around the country, and a series of regular Review columns add interest and applicability for classroom teachers, student teachers, community college instructors, instructors of higher education, and anyone with a general interest in the current status of History-Social Science education. By joining CCSS you too can receive the Social Studies Review. 

 

Editor: 

Emily Schell
San Diego State University 
eschell@mail.sdsu.edu 

Assistant Editor: George Sabato, sabato@jps.net

Column Editors:

Elementary Review: Priscilla Porter 

Middle School Review: George Sabato 

High School Review: Ernest Zarra

College/University Review: Dr. John Whitmer 

Educator Highlight Review: Pat Geyer 

Special Editorial Consultant: Damon Nalty 

Copy Editor: Tim Carlisle 

Editorial Board:

Diane Hart, Pat Geyer, George Sabato, Margaret “Peg” Hill, Michelle Zachlod

Advertising Contact: George Sabato, contact him at: sabato@jps.net  

Current Advertisers: Cobblestone; Social Studies School Service; McDougal-Littel; McGraw-Hill 

Upcoming Issues: 

Spring 2008: History-Social Science for New Teachers, Guest Editor: Dr. Emily Schell 

Fall 2008: Closing the Achievement Gap in History-Social Science, Guest Editor: Dr. Michelle Herczog 

Spring 2009: Children Who Made a Difference, Guest Editor, Dr. Brenda Betts

  

Special CCSS Publications 

History-Social Science K-12 Instructional Materials Adoption Toolkit 

What types of history-social science materials work best for new teachers or teachers new to the grade level? What should you look for in finding social studies materials for English Learners or Special Needs students? This step-by-step guide, published jointly by CCSS and the California County Superintendents Curriculum and Instruction Steering Committee, is a useful tool for departments, grade level teams, and district instructional materials adoption teams to use as they review and select history-social science materials that will best serve the varied teacher and student populations in California. 

Instructional Materials Adoption Toolkit 

Adoption Forms 

 

Putting On a Mini Conference 

Many local councils and other social studies organizations put on programs for teachers. Doing conferences take practice and, since most groups are made up of volunteers, experience may not be part of the mix. CCSS has developed a document with a step-by-step plan for putting on a great event whether your group has lots of experience or is new at organizing history-social science events. Download the manual pages below. 

CCSS Mini-Conference Planning Guide Part I 

CCSS Mini-Conference Planning Guide Part II 

CCSS Mini-Conference Planning Guide Part III 

 

History-Social Science Concepts Collection 

As social studies educators all know, the H-SS Content Standards are large, time is short, and student background knowledge is usually limited. End of year assessments show that there is a need for a better way to teach than the traditional march through the textbook. Take a look at this valuable CCSS document - Social Studies Concepts Collection for a wealth of ideas on how to relate events, people, and places to big ideas that will help students make meaning and remember what they are learning