Thank you for your interest in presenting at this year’s Region 4 Social Studies Conference. Our theme this year is: "A Call to Action!: Critical Consciousness, Competence, and Conversations in Social Studies”. We are accepting proposals to put together an engaging, high-quality conference for our social studies educators.
Conference proposals will be divided by strands. Conference strands are Critical Consciousness, Competence, and Conversations. Strands represent a category of breakout sessions that will be emphasized at the conference. All other proposals will be classified into a general strand. Priority will be given to proposals that emphasize one of the following conference strands.
- Critical Consciousness – How can teachers understand their students’ background, get to know their interests, and identify learning gaps in order to effectively respond to their needs? Proposals should address areas such as engaging students in critical literacy, making social studies relevant, and creating student-centered learning environments.
- Competence – What are the best practices that demonstrate, embody, and reflect the art and science of teaching in order to help students become well-informed, global citizens. Proposals should include building content-specific knowledge, using high impact strategies, and developing social studies skills, including technology.
- Conversations – How can teachers help students to engage in critical conversations of and for learning? Proposals should address facilitating student discussions, effectively planning for instruction, coaching social studies teachers, and encouraging relationships between school and community.