On June 23, 2019 the revised Maine Learning Results for Social Studies went into effect. As districts work to implement the revised standards, the Maine Department of Education will spend the 2019-2020 school year providing training and creating resources that support district adoption. The first set of professional development workshops to support implementation of the standards have been set. Three different trainings will occur at three different locations around the state during the 2019-2020 school year. Check out the descriptions of the trainings below, which also include more information about how to register. (Please note that there is a September 15 registration deadline for the first training, taking place in Farmington.)
Maine Learning Results for Social Studies – Overview
This full day workshop will be led by Joe Schmidt (DOE Social Studies Specialist), who will provide an overview of the revision process for the Maine Learning Results for Social Studies, as well as share resources that support their implementation. Focus topics will include:
- Changes to the overall framework for both elementary and secondary schools
- The embedding of the skills and processes of social studies throughout the document
- A greater emphasis on teaching about Maine Native Americans
- A greater emphasis on teaching about personal finance
Districts are encouraged to send representative teams of social studies teachers, as time will be provided for participants to explore the standards and resources in order to plan for classroom and district implementation.
Training dates and locations:
- October 15 – University of Maine Presque Isle: Registration can be found on the NMEC Partnership website or the direct link to the event is here.
- October 21 – University of Maine Farmington: Register at https://tinyurl.com/wmec19-20 and check out https://tinyurl.com/y37hdvs2 for more information. Registration Deadline is October 10.
- October 25 – Bangor Area: Registration Information: PREP members sign up through their curriculum representative. Non-PREP members should contact Elaine Bartley at elaine.bartley@maine.edu to register.
Maine Learning Results for Social Studies – Emphasis on Maine Native Americans
This full day workshop will feature a variety of state leaders with expertise in teaching about Maine Native Americans, as well as resources that support the implementation of the revised standards with a focus on Maine Native Americans. Joe Schmidt (DOE Social Studies Specialist) will discuss the revised standards, and time will be provided for participants to work with presenters, explore resources, and plan for classroom and district implementation.
Training dates and locations:
- September 25- University of New England- Biddeford: Registration can be found here-**Please note that registration will open September 6.
- October 23 – Bangor Area: Registration Information: PREP members sign up through their curriculum representative. Non-PREP members should contact Elaine Bartley at elaine.bartley@maine.edu to register.
Maine Learning Results for Social Studies – Emphasis on Personal Finance
This full day workshop will feature a variety of state leaders with expertise in teaching about personal finance as well as resources that support the implementation of the revised standards with a focus on personal finance. Joe Schmidt (DOE Social Studies Specialist) will discuss the revised standards and time will be provided for participants to work with presenters, explore resources, and plan for classroom and district implementation.
Training dates and locations:
- September 23 – University of Maine Farmington: Register at https://tinyurl.com/wmec19-20 and check out https://tinyurl.com/y548olmh for more information. Registration Deadline is September 15.
- October 2 – Bangor Area: Registration Information: PREP members sign up through their curriculum representative. Non-PREP members should contact Elaine Bartley at elaine.bartley@maine.edu to register.
Webinar about Newly Revised Maine Learning Results for Social Studies
Joe Schmidt, Social Studies Specialist for the Maine Department of Education, recently hosted a webinar about the newly revised standards. The webinar can be found on the DOE Standards & Instruction – Social Studies webpage or directly through the webinar recording link. This webinar is the first in a monthly series of webinars that will feature teacher leaders from around the state throughout the 2019-20 school year.
Stay Tuned for More
- Additional training locations and dates for Southern Maine are being confirmed, further information will be forthcoming.
- After the initial roll out of the revised Maine Learning Results for Social Studies, look for information about additional trainings coming this school year related to best practices in Social Studies and how they relate to teachers and districts implementing the revised standards. These trainings will include discussion of the “Major Enduring Themes” of Social Studies, as found in the Maine Learning Results, which can be used to support instruction around topics such as: unity and diversity, African American studies, historical and recent immigrant experiences, and the teaching of various perspectives.
If you would like weekly updates about social studies professional development opportunities and related resources, you can sign up for the Maine DOE social studies listserv by clicking the Social Studies ListServ Signup page; for more information, please contact Joe Schmidt at Joe.Schmidt@maine.gov.