This summer the Maine Department of Education is hosting three different professional development opportunities for social studies teachers including sessions specific to elementary teachers. The eleven dates range from June to August in five locations around the state to give everyone a chance to join us!
See below for more information or to register. Contact the DOE Social Studies Specialist Joe Schmidt (joe.schmidt@maine.gov) with any questions.
Summer Symposium:
A group of teachers have been working with me throughout this school year to learn more about best practices in social studies and how to incorporate those practices into their classrooms. These teachers have completed their last session and some are looking to provide FREE regional professional development opportunities to share their learning and experiences. With teachers from Portland to the County, there is the potential for a training to take place near you!
- The Dover-Foxcroft Symposium will take place from 8:30am-12:00pm at SeDoMoCha Middle School on Friday, June 29th. Click HERE to register.
- The Poland Summer Symposium will take place from 8:30am-12:00pm at Bruce M. Whittier Middle School on Friday, August 17th. Click HERE to register.
Forum 2017: Inquiry – LAST CALL!
For those that were unable to attend Forum 2017: Inquiry last summer, I am going to hold one last FREE session before moving on to Forum 2018: Disciplinary Literacy (see below). Forum 2017: Inquiry LAST CALL will take place in Augusta at the Cross Building on June 28th from 9am to 4:00pm. Click HERE to register. Participants will have the opportunity to win door prizes!
Forum 2018: Disciplinary Literacy
Are you interested in learning more about DISCIPLINARY LITERACY in the social studies classroom? Join the Maine DOE Social Studies Forum 2018 in August with sessions in Augusta, Bangor, Portland, and Presque Isle. Each location will have one day focused on pK-6 Elementary teachers and one day focused on 6-12 Secondary teachers.
*NOTE* You will only need to attend one session as the elementary/secondary sessions are not sequential and the four locations will have the same training.
This FREE workshop will walk teachers through current research about disciplinary literacy in social studies, provide resources to examine current practices, and provide time and support for the creation of your own unit that can be used in the upcoming school year. Teachers are encouraged to bring members of your department/district and use the day to update current units of instruction with research based best practices. See below for locations and dates and click HERE to register. Participants will have the opportunity to win door prizes!
- Presque Isle/UMPI – 8/6-8/7
- Portland/Maine Historical Society – 8/14-8/15
- Augusta/Cross Building – 8/21-8/22
- Orono/UMO – 8/28-8/29
For more information or questions contact, Joe Schmidt, Social Studies Specialist for the Maine Department of Education at (207) 624-6828 or joe.schmidt@maine.gov