Listed to the right are the social studies planning guide units, organized by grade level. Spanish grade-level resources are also linked.
Esteemed Colleagues,
Welcome to the Elementary Social Studies Professional Development for the 2008–2009 school year. I look forward to working with each one of you in your journey this year as you implement the new social studies curriculum.
It has been more than a decade since elementary social studies materials have been adopted. In response to the Denver Plan, financial support was provided so every child in DPS has access to high-quality social studies instructional materials.
I would like to acknowledge the Social Studies Advisory and Design Team for their leadership, recommendations, and numerous evening meetings during the 2005–2006 and 2006–2007 school years. Their commitment to quality and equity shaped the vision and direction of this project.
Once the vision was articulated, it took an excellent group of teachers to accept the call to take the recommendations of the Advisory and Design Teams and roll up their sleeves to write the new planning guides. This curriculum would not have been possible without the input provided by all the knowledgeable teachers who took the time to both implement the lessons and provide us with their honest feedback. More than 150 K–-5 teachers have worked to design, implement, and revise the lessons provided in this planning guide.
In addition, I’d like to thank our media library and educational technology support staff who have been invaluable resources in the writing of the units. They integrated valuable resources, revised lessons, and embedded technology across the curriculum. I cannot tell you how proud I am to be working with such a knowledgeable, giving, caring group of professionals.
I also want to recognize and thank all the community organization that have partnered with DPS to support this work. A special thanks to Dennis Grogan and our friends from the Colorado Council on Economic Education for sharing their expertise through high-quality professional development for our teacher leaders and unit writers; Loyal Darr and our friends from the Center for Civic Education for their support with our teachers and students; Betty Jo Brenner and our friends from Colorado Humanities for bringing history alive in our classrooms; Jeff Durst and the folks from the Colorado Historical Society and Museum for their support and last, but not least, Matt Downey and Jim Erekson and all the participating professors from the University of Northern Colorado, who challenged us to think deeply and supported this work through exceptional professional development.
Mil gracias,
Elma A. Ruiz, M.Ed.
Elementary Social Studies Coordinator
Division of Teaching and Learning
Elementary Social Studies Unit Writers |
|
| Kindergarten | Lorri Ann Lovato, Bryant-Webster Dual Language |
| Jessica Downs, Howell ECE–8 | |
| First Grade | Sandy Stokely, Ellis |
| Bonnie Staack, Ellis | |
| Kerry Santambrogio, Carson | |
| Second Grade | Cheryl Osgood, Carson |
| Nadine Stokes, Marrama | |
| Gerardo Cedillo, Marrama | |
| Paige Inman, Cory | |
| Kristi Goodrich-Marshall, Marrama | |
| Lisa Ragan, Marrama | |
| Third Grade | Katie Shaw, Edison |
| Pat Duran, Steele | |
| Lauren Berdofe, Edison | |
| Marilyn Martin, Park Hill ECE–8 | |
| Dione Graves, Waller ECE–8 | |
| Cheri Hilton, Gust | |
| Madeline Wood, Schmitt | |
| Denise Mongeau, Goldrick | |
| Peggy Obert, Waller ECE–8 | |
| Gayla Power, Montclair School of Academics and Enrichment | |
| Fourth Grade | Stefani Sullivan, Green Valley |
| Alicia Copeland, Howell ECE–8 | |
| Jorge-Ayn Riley, Park Hill ECE–8 | |
| Holly Douglas-Tran, Castro | |
| Fifth Grade | Leslie Dodge, Bromwell |
| Tiffany Berry, Lincoln Montessori | |
| Stefani Sullivan, Teller | |
| Cindy Sauer, Howell ECE–8 | |