WCSS 25: Full Schedule

Welcome to WCSS 25 - MAKING SOCIAL STUDIES MATTER! We are excited to host a powerful two day conference in our state capital, sharing countless ideas and methods to continue making social studies relevant to our students. Get ready to learn, grow, and have some fun in the process!

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8:30am CDT

Social Issues Matter More Than Ever in Speech & Dramatic Arts

Friday March 14, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am CDT

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Teachers can motivate students in grades 6-12 to consider ways of engaging in social studies and expressing their thoughts creatively through interscholastic debating, speaking, film, and theatre. These can be adapted to classroom activities and social studies standards and/or conducted exclusively after school to prepare students for in-person or online contests.

Speakers

Adam Jacobi

Executive Director (WISDAA) & Curriculum Coordinator (HDC), Wisconsin Interscholastic Speech & Dramatic Arts Association (WISDAA) & Harvard Debate Council (HDC)

Biography: https://www.adamjacobi.com/biography

Friday March 14, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am CDT
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General Social Studies, Middle & High School

Host Organization Wisconsin Interscholastic Speech & Dramatic Arts Association
Company Literacy for the Future, Learning Through Inquiry
Audience 60 minute General Presentation

9:45am CDT

Contemporary Indigenous History: Sovereignty & Self-Determination

Friday March 14, 2025 9:45am - 10:15am CDT

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Current curricula often ignore the influence of Indigenous peoples on contemporary history, and contain scant mention of current Indigenous issues, leaving students believing that Native Americans are a race lost to the past. This Retro Report collection of films and lessons aims to help teachers tell a fuller story.

Speakers

David Olson

Director of Education, Retro Report

Friday March 14, 2025 9:45am - 10:15am CDT
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US History, High School 9-12

Host Organization Retro Report
Company Sharing Untold Stories, Learning Through Inquiry
Audience 30 minute Power Session

10:20am CDT

The 5Ks and Beyond: Exploring Historical and Contemporary Sikh American Experiences

Friday March 14, 2025 10:20am - 10:50am CDT

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Expand your understanding of Sikhism and Sikh American experiences. Sikh identity is often very visible on the surface, but the practices, beliefs, and experiences of Sikh Americans are often invisible. Learn more about Sikhism and the 120 years of Sikh-American history. Receive resources to promote cultural and religious literacy to enhance your teaching of AAPI history and heritage.

Speakers

Kate Soules

Friday March 14, 2025 10:20am - 10:50am CDT
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General Social Studies, All Social Studies Educators

Host Organization Kaur Foundation
Company Sharing Untold Stories, Local & Global Connections
Audience 30 minute Power Session

12:30pm CDT

A Block Away From Breakdown

Friday March 14, 2025 12:30pm - 1:00pm CDT

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This power session will engage with a Tumbling Towers game that allows students to reimagine the flow of history and partake in a critical thinking activity which challenges their view of history. This style of activity prompts further inquiry into cause and effect and the necessity of violence, while keying into students’ need for play in the classroom and being contextually adaptable.

Speakers

Alissa Johnson

Hello! My name is Alissa Johnson, I am a fourth-year Secondary Education and History double major at Northland College. I am currently student teaching here in Wisconsin at the middle school level. In 2024 I presented at the NCSS conference and I am excited to bring the project to... Read More →

Friday March 14, 2025 12:30pm - 1:00pm CDT
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General Social Studies, Middle School 6-8

Host Organization Student at Northland College
Company Engaging Pedagogy, Learning Through Inquiry
Audience 30 minute Power Session

1:05pm CDT

Teachers helping teachers: Teaching with Primary Sources Teachers Network

Friday March 14, 2025 1:05pm - 1:35pm CDT

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Please join on of the Teaching with Primary Sources Teachers Network (TPSTN) Mentors to learn about connecting with 1000s of teachers nationwide for insights, ideas and lessons. During this power session, folks will learn how to join, search and create through the TPSTN. Specific resources, sources for assistance and connections will be highlighted throughout.

Speakers

Diana Laufenberg

Executive Director, inquiryschools.org

A farm kid from Wisconsin, Diana Laufenberg has taught all grade levels from 7-12 in Social Studies. Laufenberg most recently taught at the Science Leadership Academy (SLA). For the past two decades Diana has been a secondary social studies teacher in Wisconsin, Kansas, Arizona and Pennsylvania. She most recently taught at the Science Leadership Academy in Philadelphia, an inquiry-driven, project-based high school focused on modern learning. Her... Read More →

Friday March 14, 2025 1:05pm - 1:35pm CDT
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General Social Studies, All Social Studies Educators

Host Organization Teaching with Primary Sources Teachers Network
Company Sharing Untold Stories, Learning Through Inquiry
Audience 30 minute Power Session

3:00pm CDT

Psychology in Real Life

Friday March 14, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm CDT

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Dive into projects that get students to apply theory to their own lives. Projects presented have been used successfully with students for over a decade and align with APA standards. At the end of the session, attendees will have access to the projects, including rubrics, that are easy to insert into the curriculum. Attendees will also begin crafting their own projects aligned with APA standards.

Speakers

Jeanne Schierstedt

Educator, Racine Unified School District

I've been teaching since 2000 and over the years I have taught LOT of subjects in high school social studies. My current courses are American government, psychology, and Native American history. I've also been teaching a dual credit class through the PACC program since the program... Read More →

Friday March 14, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm CDT
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General Social Studies, High School 9-12

Host Organization J.I. Case High School/RUSD
Company Engaging Pedagogy, Successful Assessment
Audience 60 minute General Presentation