C3: The Views that Energize….

As a C3 initiate, I’m struck at how the thinking of my fellow C3 Teachers resonates with my ways of thinking as a social studies educator.  I’ll even go so far as to say that they energize me.

The very title of Traci Barger’s blog Move Over STEM – Social Studies Just got Real, emphasizes my belief in the importance of social studies in a well rounded high school education. I’m teaching in North Carolina, and our governor here in NC should take notice!

Christy Cartner’s caveat warning of limited acceptance of the framework because of high stakes standardized assessments pushes me to explore ways to incorporate the content that my curriculum details into my C3 planning.  I wonder how supportive school administration might be as a teacher implements the C3 framework?

Guy Clark’s experiences weaving local history into lessons is a fascinating idea for any social studies classroom.  Imagine the possibilities of using digital resources to track down those hard to find documents – or even digitalizing them when found in an attic!

Imagine the potential for developing student activism as Joseph Karb described in Building Modern Day Muckrakers and Revitalizing Civic Engagement.  Not only can students explore issues having an impact on their community, but we can also teach and model responsible use of digital media to get the word out . Get the word out without the snark and venom used by many adults today in social media.  As a quick aside here, my World History wheels are turning – How about planning and carrying out a media campaign using modern social media to spread the teachings of Martin Luther or Mohandas Gandhi?

I especially appreciate the thoughts of CTQ Collaboratory colleague Stephen Lazar as he describes the C3 Framework as a means to guide states in upgrading social studies standards and aligning them with Common Core.  Too often social studies standards seem to be spun off of ELA standards and are not afforded equal importance and detail.

As Craig Perrier writes, the C3 provides a pathway for teachers to reflect on personal educational philosophy. I’m thinking of how 1:1 classroom technology in my school has redefined our work as educators. We have shifted from a teacher-centered classroom to a student-centered one.  C3 offers the perfect framework for this shift in the social studies classroom.

Donna Phillips’ views of the Dimension 3 as an old friend and on D4 in terms of PBL and authentic learning, really strike home.  Similarly, Emma Ploucha’s ideas about how C3 serves as a pathway for teacher education students characterizes my view of an excellent social studies teacher.

I’m also interested to hear more from James Walsh.  How has he faced the challenges of persuading colleagues, administrators, and a wider public to recognize the value of the C3 Framework?  What strategies have worked?  What obstacles and mindsets have impeded implementation in his school?

I’m excited to dig deeper into the C3 Framework and become a contributing member to this community.  In my 26 years as a social studies teacher, the future for my craft has never appeared brighter.