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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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Audience: 2 Hour Hands-On Workshop clear filter
Friday, March 14
 

8:30am CDT

Policy and Advocacy Workshop: Educators as Civic Ed Advocates Part 1
Friday March 14, 2025 8:30am - 10:45am CDT
ASSEMBLY
Feedback Survey
This session aims to empower educators to serve as powerful advocates for K-12 civics education at the local, state, and federal level. We'll review the current policy landscape, explore educators' role in policy making, develop action plans and tools for civics advocacy, and put it all to use when we meet directly with legislators and their staff during the afternoon session.
Speakers
KU
Friday March 14, 2025 8:30am - 10:45am CDT
ASSEMBLY
  Civics/Government, All Social Studies Educators

8:30am CDT

Historical Thinking Skills for the Social Media Age
Friday March 14, 2025 8:30am - 10:45am CDT
SENATE A
Feedback Survey
Students have access to more information than ever before, but separating fact from fiction has never been more difficult. Historical thinking skills can empower students to analyze the (mis)information they encounter online. We’ll use a variety of PBS resources and media to sharpen students’ media literacy skills, including research, fact-checking, identifying bias, and finding reliable sources.
Speakers
avatar for Nick Ostrem

Nick Ostrem

Education Engagement Specialist, PBS Wisconsin
Friday March 14, 2025 8:30am - 10:45am CDT
SENATE A
  General Social Studies, All Social Studies Educators

8:30am CDT

Wisconsin Adventures Returns!
Friday March 14, 2025 8:30am - 10:45am CDT
CAUCUS
Feedback Survey
Proven education foundations and dragon-slaying go hand in hand! Wisconsin Adventures combines the myths and legends of Wisconsin’s past with the inherent learning opportunities of fantasy roleplaying games. Engage your students in a new way of learning by incorporating place-based education into the ever-growing community of TTRPG (tabletop roleplaying games) enthusiasts.
Speakers
avatar for Kurt Griesemer

Kurt Griesemer

Manager of PK12 Education Initiatives, Wisconsin Historical Society
Kurt Griesemer has been involved in education for over 20 years, teaching in public and private schools, creating classroom media for television and the web, and currently as the Coordinator of Primary Education at the Wisconsin Historical Society. Kurt has produced several video... Read More →
Friday March 14, 2025 8:30am - 10:45am CDT
CAUCUS
  General Social Studies, All Social Studies Educators

12:30pm CDT

Briefing with Legislators: Educators as Civic Ed Advocates Part 2
Friday March 14, 2025 12:30pm - 2:45pm CDT
ASSEMBLY
Feedback Survey
Help us make the case to policy makers that civic learning matters!  We’ll review key data on civics education policy, and head to the Wisconsin Capital. There we will meet with legislators and their staff to share information, hear ideas/concerns, and make the case for strengthening civic learning in Wisconsin schools. The morning workshop is recommended, but not required, for participation in briefing day. The first 10 participants to register and participate in the briefing will receive a free copy of the book "Teachers as Policy Advocates" by May Hara and Annalee Good. Click here to register.
Speakers
KU
Friday March 14, 2025 12:30pm - 2:45pm CDT
ASSEMBLY
  Civics/Government, All Social Studies Educators

12:30pm CDT

Using Comics to Teach Untold History
Friday March 14, 2025 12:30pm - 2:45pm CDT
CAUCUS
Feedback Survey
- Identify multiple ways that a comic can be used to discuss difficult moments in history in a culturally responsive way.
- Integrate primary sources into a history lesson in a culturally responsive way
- Describe ways that comics can be used to develop literacy and SEL skills
Speakers
SM
Friday March 14, 2025 12:30pm - 2:45pm CDT
CAUCUS
  US History, High School 9-12
 
Saturday, March 15
 

9:15am CDT

Using the FIELD Guide to Engage Your Learners and Create Powerful Learning
Saturday March 15, 2025 9:15am - 11:15am CDT
ASSEMBLY
Feedback Survey
Powerful learning happens when we share powerful evidence, ask compelling questions, and integrate edtech tools into lesson designs! We’ll showcase beginner, moderate, & veteran-level exemplar lessons based on the FIELD Guide, all guaranteed to engage students with primary sources, inquiry, and tech tools. Leave with ready-to-use materials and planning strategies.
Speakers
JS
Saturday March 15, 2025 9:15am - 11:15am CDT
ASSEMBLY
  General Pedagogy, All Social Studies Educators

9:15am CDT

What Fires Together Wires Together: The Science of Simulations
Saturday March 15, 2025 9:15am - 11:15am CDT
CAUCUS
Feedback Survey
Discover how simulations engage students in active, meaningful learning by combining physical movement, creativity, and problem-solving with real-world applications. Explore the neuroscience behind simulations, learn how to design and implement them effectively, and leave with practical tools to make social studies truly matter in your classroom.
Speakers
BN
Saturday March 15, 2025 9:15am - 11:15am CDT
CAUCUS
  General Pedagogy, Middle & High School

9:15am CDT

Student Centered Power for Student Centered Success
Saturday March 15, 2025 9:15am - 11:15am CDT
SENATE A
Feedback Survey
Speakers
MM

Michael Matera

EMC2 Learning
Saturday March 15, 2025 9:15am - 11:15am CDT
SENATE A
  Professional Development, All Social Studies Educators

1:15pm CDT

Using the U.S. Supreme Court to Teach More Inclusive History
Saturday March 15, 2025 1:15pm - 3:15pm CDT
CAUCUS
Feedback Survey
Courts are often venues for people to challenge discrimination and seek relief and societal change. Sometimes court is the best or only option. Other times it is not. Explore how diverse advocates used court to pursue equity. Cases focus on 5 areas: religion, disability, LGBTQ, AAPI, and Native Americans. Ready resources included.
Speakers
TM
Saturday March 15, 2025 1:15pm - 3:15pm CDT
CAUCUS
  Civics/Government, All Social Studies Educators

1:15pm CDT

WI Civics Fellows in Action: Projects Around the State
Saturday March 15, 2025 1:15pm - 3:15pm CDT
ASSEMBLY
Feedback Survey
The Civics Fellows are classroom teachers from across WI who have been working to build knowledge and communities of practice for civics. Each Fellow has a personal project they have been working on and they'd like to share their work with you! Project examples include civic engagement in the classroom, teacher community and mentorship, and community/place-based learning.
Speakers
avatar for Kris McDaniel

Kris McDaniel

Social Studies Consultant, WI Dept of Public Instruction
I am the DPI Social Studies Consultant. My main work is to provide quality PD and resources to teachers and to connect organizations and districts. My main focus and passion, though, is helping social studies teachers in whatever they may need to provide amazing, rockstar instruc... Read More →
Saturday March 15, 2025 1:15pm - 3:15pm CDT
ASSEMBLY
  Civics/Government, All Social Studies Educators

2:30pm CDT

Mentorship Matters: Supporting the Next Generation of Social Studies Educators
Saturday March 15, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm CDT
CONF 1
Feedback Survey
Supporting and retaining new social studies teachers is vital for fostering student success, strengthening inquiry-based instruction, and promoting civic engagement. Participants will gain an understanding of the overview of this mentorship project, connect with a community of peers, offering guidance based on individual needs and career stages.
Speakers
avatar for Brittany Chikowski
Saturday March 15, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm CDT
CONF 1
  General Social Studies, All Social Studies Educators
 
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