Civics & History Summit to be held again in 2024
In June 2023, the Department of Education held a Civics & History Summit for social studies teachers across the state. The summit was designed to help teachers integrate the new social studies standards into their lesson plans. The 2023 summit was an excellent opportunity for educators to see presentations, network with other educators, and discover new ways to present lessons in an engaging way.
The DOE's Learning & Instruction team is hosting another summit June 3-4, 2024, at the Sioux Falls Convention Center. This event, tailored for South Dakota educators, will feature keynote speeches, interactive exhibits, a vendor showcase, a dignitaries' dinner, and carefully curated breakout sessions designed to align with educators' curriculum needs. Each session is dedicated to providing valuable content, resources, activities, and lesson plans that educators can seamlessly integrate into their classrooms.
Participants will gather valuable resources and collaborate with educators from throughout the state who share their enthusiasm and dedication to social studies education in South Dakota. Presenters at the summit will demonstrate how to weave the study of history, civics, and geography into the daily fabric of classroom life.
Scheduled breakout sessions will feature a wealth of knowledge for attendees. Some of these breakout sessions include the following:
- "How Great was Alexander the Great?" with Danya Clark
- "The Thoughtful Warrior" with John Mollison
- "Hollywood vs. History" with Sam (Sandee) Goldsmith
- "Oceti Sakowin Essential Understandings & Standards" with Fred Osborne
- "The Power of Poetry in Studying American History" with Dr. Christian Pirlet