Latest Updates
The Importance of Teaching Civics at a Time of Elections
Posted: September 24, 2020Introduction | Best Practices | Resources
The ignorance of one voter in a democracy impairs the security of all.
– John F. Kennedy
The Social Studies Curriculum of the Archdiocese is based on the C4 Standards which incorporate College and Career Readiness, Civic Engagement and Catholic Identity. During these unsettling times there is a real need to spend some time focusing on the latter two during our Social Studies instruction.
The C3 Framework is driven by the following shared principles about high quality social studies education:
- The social studies prepare the nation’s young people for success in college and career; as well as informed, engaged participation in civic life.
- Inquiry is at the heart of social studies instruction.
- The social studies involve interdisciplinary instruction and benefit from interaction with and integration of the arts and humanities.
- The social studies is composed of deep and enduring understandings, concepts, and skills from the disciplines. Social studies emphasize skills and practices that prepare students for informed and engaged participation in civic life.
- Social studies education has direct and explicit connections to the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy in History/Social Studies.
As Catholic Educators, it is essential that we incorporate Faith links Social Justice Principles into our instruction and thus raise the C3 Standards to C4.
With the 2020 election cycle under way, teachers should have a focus on civic engagement balanced with Catholic Identity. Research suggests that to ensure quality experiences teachers should promote positive interactions that focus on learning and respectful exchange of ideas. This includes a focus on using supporting evidence in discussions while also establishing strategies for evaluating news media for bias. Teachers should always be neutral moderators of discussion and uphold Catholic values. Personal preferences should never enter into discussion with students.
Effectively implementing thoughtful and productive political discussion in the classroom should begin with students having a clear understanding of the structure of the government and electoral process as defined by the Constitution. Taking time to review current events, issues and ideas in school is an important component of promoting positive civic engagement as it increases awareness of other perspectives and helps to promote acceptance of different viewpoints and experiences.
Best Practices
Following are some “best practices”1 recommended for teachers to use:
- Give students explicit instructions on how to talk to one another, and set clear expectations for the kinds of language they use, respectful listening strategies, and their use of evidence to support ideas.
- Don’t be afraid to formalize discussion to require research and preparation, specify who gets to speak when and for how long, and assign roles, viewpoints, or topics in advance.
- Allow and encourage students to change their minds and complicate their thinking, but don’t force them to try to win everyone over. Recognize where and how reasonable disagreement can exist, and give students time to build on each other’s ideas, rather than assuming every issue has just two or three possible viewpoints.
- Be clear in advance about hard limits for discussion, or what is and is not open for debate.
- Set and enforce boundaries that protect vulnerable students and align with your school’s mission and values.
- Make it clear when discussing ideas that may be fringe or extremist, and fall back on evidence and reasoning, rather than emotion, to counteract harmful statements or ideas.
1Kelly Siegel- Stechler, Election 2020: Engaging Students in Civic Discourse, Johns Hopkins University, Spring, 2020Top of Form
Resources
Maggie’s Civics Corner (for younger grades)
https://rendellcenter.org/programs/maggies-civics-corner/
Civics Read-Alouds
https://rendellcenter.org/programs/read-aloud-lessons/
How the Electoral College Works
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUS9mM8Xbbw
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9H3gvnN468
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6s7jB6-GoU
ANALYZING MEDIA: Political Ads
https://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/00-2/lp2091.shtml
Lesson Plans
https://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/lesson/lesson348.shtml
Resources for All Levels
- https://bensguide.gpo.gov/9-12/election/
- http://www.growingvoters.org/index.html
- https://www.adl.org/education/resources/tools-and-strategies/lets-talk-about-voting
- https://www.adl.org/education/resources/tools-and-strategies/anti-bias-tools-strategies
- https://www.civicsrenewalnetwork.org/featured/resources-for-teaching-about-voting-and-elections/
(Includes resources from National Constitution Center)
Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary – October 7
Posted: September 24, 2020
During October, we honor Mary in a special way under the title of Our Lady of the Rosary. The Rosary is a powerful prayer and we are inviting every school to participate in praying the Rosary on October 7 which is the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary.
With each county participating during a different hour of the school day, our prayer of intercession to Mary during these uncertain times could span the entirety of the school day. For parents, virtual students and PREP students, a live stream Rosary will be offered at 7 PM led by Staff members of OCE. Please see the information below for more details.
- School Participation Information
- Prayers to Follow (to access powerpoint, right click this link and choose Open in New Window)
- Invitation for Families
Free Math Webinars from NCTM
Posted: September 18, 2020- Webinars take place on 100 selected days between April and October 2020.
- Speakers and topics are geared to meet all grade bands and interests.
- Webinars are led by selected speakers from the NCTM Centennial Annual Meeting & Exposition program that was to take place in Chicago.
- All webinars are recorded and made available the next day at nctm.org/100.
- You do not have to be a NCTM member to register for a free webinar or view a free recording.
- There will be no Thursday webinars in September.
New AOP Elementary Intranet Site Video
Posted: September 4, 2020
A new INTRANET website has been created for Teachers and Administrators in the Elementary Schools. You will be able to access all of the information you need by viewing the video at the following link. It is important to view the video before using the site. Thank you to Sister Edward Quinn for taking the time to create this wonderful video.
https://www.loom.com/share/4e7a0adc9a064c1a8d938bf3fd4a53df
Return to School Prayer
Posted: September 2, 2020
Loving God, we begin a new school year with many concerns of things not yet known. And so, we look to you with hope in your promise to be with us always. With you at our side, we have nothing to fear.
Bless our teachers, administrators, and other school personnel with confidence and wisdom to meet the challenges that lie ahead. Let them know that they influence the future by the decisions they make today.
Bless our children with inquiring minds so that they will explore new concepts, analyze their thinking, and learn to make practical connections and applications of the world in which they live. Help us to be instruments of peace and justice in our daily interactions with all whom we meet.
Gracious God, we entrust all of our needs to you, and pray that you will hear our prayer which we make in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
Amen.
Registration for Online Algebra Testing
Posted: September 1, 2020
Registration for online algebra testing is now available. Visit us for more information on the Honors Math web page.
Teacher Safe Return Video
Posted: August 18, 2020As we are closely approaching the start of the new school year, we want to make sure that our teachers and school personnel feel comfortable and safe upon their return. Please view our message from Dr. Andrew McLaughlin, Secretary of the Office of Catholic Elementary Education about the safe return to school for teachers.
Welcome to the New Administrator, Principal and Teacher Intranet site!
Posted: August 11, 2020
Welcome to the New Administrator, Principal, and Teacher Intranet Site. Our goal is for this site to be a “one-stop shop” to provide you with valuable information, communications and resources, in the hope of making your roles and work easier. This site will be taking the place of the the Principal and Teacher Weebly sites. Having said that, please take note of the following:
- This site is currently a “work in progress” and will continue to be, as we will be adding new information on a regular basis.
- Though the majority of information has been transferred from the Weebly sites, we are still working on transferring the remaining materials. In the meantime, if you should visit either Weebly site in search of information and the information has already been transferred, you will be greeted with a link to this site where the information is now located.
- In some cases, you might click on a link in this site and it may take you back to the Weebly site. Please don’t be alarmed. This simply means that we have not transferred the information over, yet, but will be doing so in the near future.
- Our ultimate goal is to have a more streamlined environment in which you can find information. Please contact Catherine Jennings for any of the following:
- If you are not able to find what you need.
- If you have suggestions or ideas regarding information that you would like to see on the site. We would love to hear them.
- If you have any trouble with the site. We are here to help you.
Again, welcome to your new intranet site and we encourage all feedback. Thanks so much!
The Secretariat – June 12, 2020
Posted: June 12, 2020
The Secretariat newsletter is a communications resource to keep our Administrators, Principals and Teachers updated on different things that are going on during the week. If you have anything that you would like to share or have any questions, please contact: Catherine Jennings.
Please see The Secretariat web page for past issues.
Note: Please click the image below to access the newsletter.
The Secretariat – June 5, 2020
Posted: June 5, 2020The Secretariat newsletter is a communications resource to keep our Administrators, Principals and Teachers updated on different things that are going on during the week. If you have anything that you would like to share or have any questions, please contact: Catherine Jennings.
Please see The Secretariat web page for past issues.
Note: Please click the image below to access the newsletter.
