2021 marks 100 years of NCSS service to social studies teachers, administrators, and professionals. To celebrate this moment in the history of social studies education, NCSS is planning a year-long experience of signature events, starting with their first-ever NCSS Virtual Conference: Advancing Social Justice from December 4-6, 2020. 

The 2020 Virtual Conference will make more than 200 content sessions available to  participants that can be viewed on demand until April 30, 2021. Featured speakers include Chelsea Clinton, George Takei, Ken Burns, Nikole Hannah-Jones, Charlie Sykes, Yamiche Alcindor, Chuck Todd, and more.

While we are sad that we cannot be with attendees in-person this year, the iCivics team is thrilled to still be able to offer engaging sessions and panels on timely civics topics and new resources. We will also have a virtual booth for attendees to learn what is new at iCivics and chat with our team directly. The NCSS Virtual Exhibit Hall will be open from November 30, 2020 to April 30, 2021.

After registration, be sure to find the sessions and panels that iCivics staff and iCivics Educator Network members are participating in (all listed below) and make a plan to stop by our virtual booth to say hello!

Saturday, December 5

• Teaching in a Temptest [Curriculum & Instruction] Take shelter with us as we explore effective issues-centered teaching in this neverending socio-political hurricane, including responding in real time to unexpected partisan tornados.

• You Survived the Elections! Now What? [Cross-Disciplinary] The election season may be over, but teachable moments continue long after the vote. Engage students through games, lessons, and activities that put them in the middle of the action. 

• Civics: Meaningful and Active with iCivics [Civics/Government] How do we ensure that our students are not merely learning trivial information about civics? In this interactive panel discussion, hear from experienced iCivics teachers about meaningful Civics curriculum.

• Civics, Games, and Access for ALL [Civics/Government] Game-based learning is a fun and engaging way to reach ALL students (including ELLs). Explore iCivics games and intentional scaffolds for students navigating the complex academic vocabulary of civics. 

• Raising the Bar: Teaching History and Controversy using SCOTUS Cases [Curriculum & Instruction] Want to enliven your classes with structured discussions? Supreme Court cases are a great way to address historical moments and current controversial issues. Virtually explore resources and ideas for incorporating them. 

• From Quest to Test: Preparing Your Students for Document-Based Analysis New to DBQs? [Cross-Disciplinary] Let us introduce you to DBQuest, iCivics’ primary source analysis tool! Then step behind the curtain as we discuss the thinking and skills needed to help students answer DBQs.

Sunday, December 6

• Show AND Tell: Infographics as Teaching Tools Infographics [Literacy] Offer structure and design to concepts when students have a hard time seeing the big picture. Build student knowledge of essential civics topics using infographics as your blueprint.

• Teaching Difficult Constitutional Issues Through Close Reading and Civil Dialogue [Civics/Government] Engage in primary and secondary source analysis and civil dialogue about two challenging constitutional provisions: the 2nd Amendment and the 4th Amendment. Take classroom-ready materials back to your students.

• "Civics" vs "Citizenship Education" [Civics/Government] Participate in a debate to explore “civics” vs “citizenship education.” Learn how citizenship education is a more holistic approach to preparing students to meet the challenges of the world around them.

• Real Talk: Contextualizing Injustice with Students [Cross-Disciplinary] Discover how to better facilitate classroom discussions about injustices highlighted in curriculum, including historical events, literature, and current events.

Poster sessions led by iCivics Educator Network members:

• Traveling Teacher Teaches for Tomorrow, Kimberly Huffman