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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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Type: Elementary clear filter
Friday, March 14
 

12:30pm CDT

Ignite Inquiry in Elementary Classrooms: Exploring Social Studies Wisconsin
Friday March 14, 2025 12:30pm - 1:30pm CDT
SENATE B
Feedback Survey
Exploring Social Studies-Wisconsin places inquiry at the heart of K-5 social studies, challenging students to think critically and ask compelling questions. Through primary sources and inquiry-driven activities, this program fosters curiosity and deep understanding, transforming social studies into an engaging and meaningful experience for every classroom.
Speakers
avatar for Kara Ball

Kara Ball

Academic Officer, Teacher Created Materials
Kara is an Academic Officer specializing in inquiry-based teaching in STEM and social studies. As the author of 50 Strategies for Teaching STEAM Skills, she champions innovative approaches to education. With experience as a District Elementary STEM Education Specialist and K-5 educator... Read More →
Friday March 14, 2025 12:30pm - 1:30pm CDT
SENATE B
  Elementary, Elementary K-5

1:45pm CDT

Should students memorize the 50 states? Facts, Knowledge and Critical Thinking in K-8 Social Studies
Friday March 14, 2025 1:45pm - 2:45pm CDT
SENATE B
Feedback Survey
This session combines presentation and discussion about how foundational social studies in K-5 classrooms supports learning in middle/high school. The presenter will highlight what she learned when she set out to have her 7th graders learn the locations of all 50 states on a map, and then seek participant feedback on the implications for elementary level social studies teaching and advocacy.
Speakers
LB
Friday March 14, 2025 1:45pm - 2:45pm CDT
SENATE B
  Elementary, Elementary K-5

1:45pm CDT

Storybook Adventures: Bringing Social Studies to Life
Friday March 14, 2025 1:45pm - 2:45pm CDT
SENATE A
Feedback Survey
Ignite your students’ curiosity and bring social studies to life through storytelling and art! Learn how integrating storybooks and art activities can make social studies MATTER. Walk away with practical strategies, lesson plans, and resources to create engaging, multi-sensory experiences that transform social studies into meaningful learning.
Speakers
avatar for Renee Schumacher

Renee Schumacher

Arts Integration Coordinator, Oshkosh Area School District
I was a K-12 visual arts teacher for 8 years before transitioning to the District Arts Integration Coordinator position in Oshkosh, WI.I received my Master's in Educational Leadership and got certified in Arts Integration and curriculum coaching. Now I get to work with and coach amazing... Read More →
Friday March 14, 2025 1:45pm - 2:45pm CDT
SENATE A
  Elementary, Elementary K-5

3:00pm CDT

Integrating Social Studies Inquiry in Elementary Classrooms
Friday March 14, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm CDT
UNIV CD
Feedback Survey
Many elementary students do not have chances to engage in social studies inquiry. Learn how to integrate elements of inquiry into your day-to-day instruction by hearing how early preservice teachers (i.e. novices) were supported in developing inquiry projects, exploring examples of quality inquiries, and identifying areas you can incorporate student inquiry.
Speakers
avatar for Matt McParker

Matt McParker

Associate Professor/ EME Program Director, University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
Friday March 14, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm CDT
UNIV CD
  Elementary, Elementary K-5
 
Saturday, March 15
 

9:15am CDT

The Pizza Impact – Cross-curricular connections through the context of food, fiber and fuel.
Saturday March 15, 2025 9:15am - 10:15am CDT
CONF 1
Feedback Survey
Discover how frozen pizza can unlock conversations around communities, jobs, food security, and economies. Join us for real-life examples and lessons that utilize the rich context of food, fiber, and fuel. Leave with classroom-tested and student-approved lessons and activities that will put some pizazz in your social studies curriculum while building upon ELA, science, and EE standards.
Speakers
avatar for Beth Schaefer

Beth Schaefer

Coordinator, Wisconsin Agriculture in the Classroom - Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation
I am passionate about food, farming, and people. For the past 22 years I have worked in both formal and informal roles related to agriculture literacy and education. I spent five years as an Agriculture Educator and Biology teacher in both rural and urban schools and for the past... Read More →
Saturday March 15, 2025 9:15am - 10:15am CDT
CONF 1
  Elementary, Elementary K-5

10:30am CDT

Creating History Labs for Elementary Social Studies
Saturday March 15, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am CDT
CONF 2
Feedback Survey
History Labs are powerful tools for engaging students in meaningful historical inquiry and developing critical thinking skills using primary sources. With careful planning and implementation, they can transform social studies instruction at the elementary level. Learn to curate inquiry boxes to make elementary social studies matter.
Speakers
KP
Saturday March 15, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am CDT
CONF 2
  Elementary, Elementary K-5

3:00pm CDT

Empowering Young Learners to Access Difficult Histories: Lessons From a Collaborative, Interdisciplinary Fourth Grade Holocaust Unit
Saturday March 15, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm CDT
CONF 3
Feedback Survey
This session will take elementary educators through two teachers’ collaboration around an interdisciplinary fourth grade Holocaust unit, addressing co-planning, social-emotional learning, content accessibility, and text accessibility as necessary pedagogical components. We will also offer teachers resources and time for reflection about how they might teach difficult histories to young learners.
Speakers
EG
IA
Saturday March 15, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm CDT
CONF 3
  Elementary, Elementary K-5
 
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