Welcome to the WCSS

Wisconsin Council for the Social Studies

Updated: 19 April 2008 . Reload this page for the latest updates! Thanks to Matthew Rose, a 2003 graduate of UW-Eau Claire with a degree in Fine Arts, for his design of the new WCSS logo.

WisEye videotaped the 2008 WCSS - IEC Conference. Click on the links below to watch the video.

Link to WisEye Archive (Click on "Other 2008 and then "April" on the next page) or go directly to the video:

Link to video...Segment 1

Link to video Segment 2

Link to video Segment 3

If you have any difficulties in playing the video, make sure you have the most recent version of Windows Media Player. If you do not, download the appropriate version for your computer.

WCSS and IEC raised $10,000 to support Greg Mortenson's work to build schools in Afghanistan and Pakiston. Thanks to everyone who attended and contributed at the 2008 WCSS - IEC Conference!

Melissa Collum, WCSS President-elect will be the 2009 WCSS Conference Chair. Please contact her with your questions. Click on the link to find the Conference Proposal Form and the Conference Registration Form. PLEASE NOTE: You will have to PRINT OUT a copy of the Conference Registration Form and mail it to Eric Anderson. His address is on the form. FILLING OUT THE FORM ONLINE DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY REGISTER YOU FOR THE CONFERENCE! WCSS Conference page with links to our keynote speakers Brian Steidle and Jeremi Suri.

WCSS-IEC 2009 Conference

Wisconsin Council for the Social Studies - International Education Conference

Start making your plans NOW for the 2009 conference.

16 - 17  March 2009

Madison, WI at the Madison Marriott West,

1313 John Q. Hammons Drive,

Middleton, WI 53562.

Phone: 608.831.2000 or Fax: 608.831.2040

Keynote Speakers

* Brian Steidle, co-author of The Devil Came on Horseback: Bearing Witness to the Genocide in Darfur (also a winning documentary at the Sundance Film Festival)

* Jeremi Suri, author of the award-winning book, Kissinger and the American Century.

WCSS Membership Brochure NOTE: This is NOT the registration form for the 2009 Conference. This is for joining the WCSS only.

Social Studies in the news: "College students struggle on history test" (USA Today) . Take the 60 question test.

See how Wisconsin schools ranked. Full story in the Green Bay Press Gazette, Friday, 12 October 2007.

NCSS ELECTIONS: Mike Koren, WCSS Treasurer was elected to the "At-Large K-12" position on the NCSS Board of Directors. Thanks for voting and keeping our WCSS voice strong! (See the NCSS Board of Directors). Sally Michalko is also on the NCSS Board of Directors, Mike Yell is NCSS Vice-President and Walt Herscher is a member of FASSE (Fund for the Advancement of Social Studies).

NCSS Sends letter to new Congress. Read the full text of the letter at the NCSS.

ANNOUNCING: The 2008 - 2009 WCSS Distinguished Teacher of Social Studies Award (MS Word format) The WCSS annually selects a teacher from K-12, who demonstrates outstanding creativity and commitment to the instruction of social studies. This award recognizes teachers who have consistently created and implemented lessons that increase their students' interest, understanding, and appreciation of the social studies. Click on the link above for more information in MS Word format. PLEASE NOTE:. Discard the old form! Click on this link for more information in PDF format. Form updated: December 2007.

The WCSS welcomes Dr. Gerhard Fischer as the new DPI International Education Consultant.

NEW! Wisconsin Social Studies Departments! Please contact the WCSS if you have a web page for your Social Studies Department! We will include it on our list so that you can connect with other Wisconsin Social Studies professionals.

NOTE: We have a link to a new "WCSS Opportunities" page at the bottom of this page. If you have a program that would appeal to social studies teachers please contact Jim Adams for posting.

Please note that the WCSS has a new online WCSS Calendar page available to members. You are encouraged to refer to the WCSS calendar for important events in our organization. Please contact Jim Adams if you would like to have events added to this calendar.
We also have a "blog" (web log) that is open to members of the Social Studies community. You are encouraged to add your thoughts, ideas, comments, etc. to the blog.
Nominations are due NOW for the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History "History Teacher of the Year Award". Contact the WCSS through Jim Adams if you are interested in making a nomination for this award. Information for the Wisconsin applicant. (MS Word document)

Dr. M. Zuhdi Jasser, MD (Chairman of the American Islamic Forum for Democracy) was our keynote speaker at the 2005 WCSS Conference. He has graciously agreed to share the slides from his presentation.

Part One (Powerpoint or Powerpoint Viewer needed to view these slides) 2.2 Mb

Part Two (Powerpoint or Powerpoint Viewer needed to view these slides) 1 Mb

You can find additional information about his work and read his recent commentary on the controversy over the Danish cartoons at the American Islamic Forum for Democracy.

The Indiana Council for the Social Studies will host the 2008 NCSS Great Lakes Regional Conference at the Indianapolis Convention Center 28 - 29 February 2008. The theme is, "Liberty, Equality, and Justice for All".
Congratulations to Sally Michalko who was elected to the NCSS Board of Directors as an elementary school representative and to Walt Herscher who was elected to the FASSE board. They join Mike Koren who is on the NCSS Board of Directors as a middle school representative.
The state of Wisconsin won the prestigious 2004 Goldman Sachs Foundation Prize for Excellence in International Education. Click on the icon next to Wisconsin or go to the DPI website that has the press release for the award.
The Wisconsin Council for the Social Studies (WCSS) is a professional organization of social studies teachers. It's goals are to improve social studies teaching, develop the professional interests of social studies instructors, and cooperate with other organizations working for a better social understandingin the state, nation, and world. WCSS provides professional development opportunities, publications, and service to Wisconsin teachers.  As an affiliate of the National Council for the Social Studies, WCSS is the professional organization for social educators in Wisconsin.
Contacting WCSS

WCSS serves Wisconsin teachers through its publications,conferences and recognition programs. Please feel free to contact the President-elect forfurther information or if you have comments or suggestions. Email WCSS President Steve Rose at: rose at uwosh.edu.

For membership information & conference registration, please contact: Eric Anderson, 1412 N. Eagle Street, Oshkosh, WI, 54902. Email: wcssmembers at sbcglobal.net

New members email contact: wcssmembers at sbcglobal.net

Individual & Institutional membership renewal: $25.00/year. Student & Retired: $10.00/year. WCSS memberships run from 01 April to 31 March yearly.

Social Studies Hot Links

Aida Michlowski Forum Newsletter Editor (Please contact Aida if you would like to assist her with the newsletter. email: amichlowski at mariancollege.edu

Dr. Kelly Collum & Deb Foster, The Journal Co-Editors email: dfoster at npsd.k12.wi.su

Information about submitting articles for The Journal. (MS Word document)

"Test drive" our beta WCSS website hosted by NCSS.

WCSS Home | WCSS Calendar & Dates | WCSS Awards | WCSS Links | WCSS Mission | WCSS Members | Top 10 Reasons to Join the WCSS | What We Do | WCSS Web Blog | Social Studies Departments | Opportunities | Board Members | Books/Magazine Articles | WCSS website at NCSS

First Posted: 13 May 2001