Social Studies
Recent Newsletter Articles
Believe It or Not! Information Literacy and Adult Learners: Part 1
"Don't believe everything you read." This reminder is truer today than ever! With this in mind, Adult Basic Education can take the lead by promoting instructional strategies to make ABE students at all levels into more critical readers, listeners, and thinkers in this age of mass information. Read More
Election Lessons Shouldn’t (and Don’t) End on November 3rd! – Part 2
While teachers often pivot away from political themes after an election, we have a great opportunity to continue the discussion and teach some of those often overlooked topics that correspond to events that start happening on November 4 - such as the Electoral College, transition of power, the first 100 days, and the presidency. Read More
Election Lessons Shouldn’t (and Don’t) End on November 3rd! – Part 1
While teachers often pivot away from political themes after an election, we have a great opportunity to continue the discussion and teach some of those often overlooked topics that correspond to events that start happening on November 4 - such as the Electoral College, transition of power, the first 100 days, and the presidency. Read More
Teaching Critical Thinking Skills through a Social Justice Lens
It is safe to say that 2020 has left us with a lot to unpack as individuals and as educators. As our classes continue to look so different as they take place online, I am thinking about the need to find and use materials that help my students and me to process everything that is going on around us. The resources in the Zinn Education Project are perfect for building the ACES skill of Critical Thinking. Read More
The 3rd “C” in CCRS – Focusing on Community Right Now
College & Career (and Community) Readiness Standards are very much in play right now as we all help our students to navigate this landscape of COVID-19. This article has links to several MN-created math and ELA instructional activities and ideas for how to use them with your own students! Read More
COVID-19: ABE Resource Considerations for Today and Beyond
COVID-19's effect on the ABE community is ever changing and will have a lasting impact. Know that there are plenty of resources and information to help teachers, students and communities to navigate this crisis today and beyond. Read More
Social Studies & Civics Online Resource Library Is Here!
Just the news you've been waiting for: ATLAS has launched a new Social Studies & Civics online resource library! In the new library, recommended social studies and civics lesson plans, classroom strategies, and related articles that are relevant for all levels of ESL/ABE will be highlighted and summarized. Check it out! Read More
Stand Up and Be Counted
The 2020 Census will take place next spring. We can help our adult learners understand the importance of the census and the negative impact that non-participation will have on their communities. The National Coalition for Literacy has some great resources to help you start this conversation. Read More
New FREE Curriculum Resources Available through the MnPCC
Thirty (30) FREE complete curricula for math, ELA, social studies, and science are available to ABE teachers through the Minnesota Partnership for Collaborative Curriculum. Printable texts, quizzes, and activities - all standards aligned - are waiting for you! Read More
Addressing the Critical Need for Critical Thinking Skills
Critical thinking emerged as an area for which many ABE teachers would like more instructional resources. As a result, a new resource has been added to the Critical Thinking section of the ACES Resource Library. Read on to discover how you can start using it in your classroom today. Read More