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June 2026 | Volume VI, Number 6

 

 

Hello Everyone!

America250PA Toolkit available on SAS

This new America250PA toolkit provides access to educational materials on the upcoming celebration of Pennsylvania’s leading role in the commemoration of the 250th Anniversary of the United States on July 4, 2026. The toolkit includes videos, lesson plans, and classroom resources adaptable for virtual or in-person learning.

From Echoes and Reflections

Teaching about Holocaust Denial & Distortion:  July 6-19

Gain an understanding of how antisemitic tropes and hate speech related to the Holocaust are weaponized and how to challenge students to think critically and empower them to recognize and reject antisemitic hate speech.

After completing this course, you will be able to:

  • Understand Holocaust denial and distortion and how this form of antisemitism is harmful to Jews and the larger society.
  • Identify opportunities to connect historical antisemitic tropes with modern examples of hate speech, specifically in the online sphere.
  • Identify how antisemitism has frequently been weaponized to gain influence and power by groups and individuals
  • Learn and incorporate teaching strategies that encourage students to formulate values and opinions based on facts.

This course will Build confidence and capacity to teach about modern propaganda using media literacy skills.

Defiant Requiem:  Cultural Resistance in the Terezín Ghetto:  July 13-20

Examine the creation of the Terezin ghetto, the role of resistance, and how the prisoner performances of Verdi's Requiem inspired individuals then and now.

After completing this course, you will be able to:

  • Understand the various types of resistance that Jewish individuals exhibited during the era of the Holocaust.
  • Analyze how the prisoners’ performance of the Verdi Requiem in the Terezín ghetto represented an act of resistance.

In this course you will Identify and construct activities that contextualize this performance’s significance for use with students in a secondary classroom.

From Monticello Education

Monticello’s Teacher Learning Team is now accepting requests for 2026-27 teacher professional development workshops. Whether online or in person, at your school or at Monticello, our educators can help you build content knowledge and instructional skills, explore Monticello stories and resources, and more.

From Founding Forward

A summer like no other for kids!

Bring history to life this summer! Founding Forward’s programs offer middle and high school students unforgettable, hands-on experiences in the places where history happened.

From C-SPAN Classroom

Immigrant Heritage Month

First celebrated 12 years ago, Immigrant Heritage Month has given people across the United States an opportunity to annually explore their own heritage and celebrate the shared diversity that forms the unique story of America (American Library Association). Check out a small sampling of related resources from C-SPAN Classroom below!

From The Committee of Seventy

2026 PA Civics Educator Forum

The 2026 PA Civics Educator Forum is coming to southwestern PA. Now in its third year, this forum is Pennsylvania's leading provider of civics professional development for teachers, both in-class and out-of-school educators. Join us on Monday, October 5th at Intermediate Unit 1 in Coal Center in Washington County.

Teachers can attend high-quality sessions featuring ready-to-use resources from the 27 different member organizations of PA Civics, plus unique, creative lessons taught by PA-based teachers. This year's theme: “Cultivating Curious Minds, Critical Thinkers, and Engaged Citizens.”

The forum is free to attend for educators, and lunch will be provided. Pennsylvania-based teachers are given priority for registration. All teachers will receive Act 48 credits.

If you are interested in presenting a session, please complete this form.

From NCSS

How to be Recognized for your Impact on Social Studies Classrooms

As educators, you make a difference every day - now let NCSS celebrate you. Nominate yourself or a colleague for a National Council for the Social Studies Award, and shine a national spotlight on outstanding contributions to social studies education. Nominations are due June 30, 2026.

From The National Constitution Center

National Constitution Center Teacher Advisory Council (TAC): Applications Open

The National Constitution Center Teacher Advisory Council (TAC) is a professional learning community of educators who collaborate with the Center to share best practices for teaching constitutional, historical, and civics topics.

Applications for the 2026–2027 term are now open to educators who teach fifth grade to twelfth grade students from all types of school environments and locations.

TAC members have the opportunity to:

  • Collaborate with fellow educators in a nationwide professional learning community
  • Facilitate professional development opportunities including Educator Institutes, Weekend Workshops, half- or full-day sessions, customized professional learning sessions, and conference presentations with members of the Center’s Education team
  • Participate in virtual and on-site programs exclusive to members of the Center’s educator networks
  • Support in shaping the Center’s nonpartisan educational materials and programs

Members of the Teacher Advisory Council receive a yearly stipend for their valuable time and professional advice. If you have questions about the application or process, please email teacherprograms@constitutioncenter.org

From The Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial

As we approach the 25-Year Observance of September 11, 2001, we invite you and your students to take part in the 2026 National Day of Learning “Teach to Remember 9/11.”

 This year’s program is especially meaningful. Marking this historic milestone, the National Day of Learning will expand across two weeks of live, interactive educational experiences, designed to help students explore the legacy of 9/11 and the enduring lessons of courage, unity, and resilience.

What to Expect

  • Programming across two weeks leading up to September 11
    • Week 1 Sessions | September 3–4
    • Week 2 Sessions | September 8–9, 11
  • Live-streamed sessions with National Park Service rangers, educators, and special guests
  • Interactive student Q&As and classroom discussions
  • Access to meaningful educational resources to support your teaching

These sessions connect students directly to the story of Flight 93 and encourage thoughtful engagement with one of the defining moments in our nation’s history.

Reserve Your Spot

Registration is now open for both Week 1 Sessions and Week 2 Sessions. We encourage you to reserve a spot for your classroom early, as space for live sessions is limited.

Thank you for subscribing to the SAS Social Studies PLC and for all you do every day for the students in Pennsylvania!

Don McCrone
dmccrone@pa.gov

NOTE:  Sites identified here have been reviewed by the content advisor; however, educators are advised to preview for appropriateness for their respective classrooms.

Visit the PDE Social Studies Archive