Minnesota Council for the Social Studies

Resources from 2018 Breakout Sessions

Breakout session resources from past conferences

Only current MCSS members have access to resources from breakout sessions.

New event for 2019!

If you register for the conference, you can also register for a free add-on clinic on Sunday afternoon. Join Minnesota Civic Youth for "Respectful Conversations in the Schools"!

MCSS Annual Conference: March 3-4, 2019
Duluth Entertainment Convention Center, Duluth

In social studies, we know that “liberty”, “justice” and “all” are very open to interpretation. In a time when we are discussing and debating these words in our local and national communities, we know that social studies teachers throughout our state are grappling with how to teach nuanced content and skills to their student populations.

Our hope is to encourage conference sessions that address the ways "With Liberty and Justice for All" relates to our present, our past, our civic processes, our decision-making, and our geographic understanding. Students as young as kindergarten and as mature as 12th-graders encounter these concepts, no matter where they are growing up, and social studies content and skills provide an excellent framework to help them examine those encounters.

The MCSS conference is a unique opportunity to share with and learn from educators facing similar challenges. Bring your questions, dilemmas and successes to share with your colleagues.

We also welcome presentations that also promote excellence in social studies even if it appears to not relate directly with our social studies theme.

The 2019 MCSS Annual Conference will take place in Duluth, Minnesota.

Sunday, March 3, 2019: Pre-conference clinic

"Respectful Conversations in the Schools," with Minnesota Civic Youth
Duluth Entertainment Convention Center, 1-4 p.m.

Sunday, March 3, 2019: Social Studies Social

Clyde Iron Works, Duluth
Food, cash bar, and Teacher Awards
Keynote Kenneth C. Davis, author of Don't Know Much About series, In the Shadow of Liberty, and More Deadly Than War

Monday, March 4, 2019: Conference

Duluth Entertainment Convention Center

Conference hotel: Inn on Lake Superior
To make a reservation under the Minnesota Council for the Social Studies block of rooms, call 888-668-4352. Room costs (rates do not include tax): 87.99 for poolside, 92.99 for city view, 99.99 for lake view.

Conference Presentations

2019 Conference schedule:

7:30-8:00 Breakfast and speaker

8:00-8:50 Session 1

9:00-9:50 Session 2

10:00-10:50 Session 3

10:50-11:30 Exhibitor time

11:30-12:30 Lunch (including Annual Meeting and Deer River Drum and Dance)

12:30-1:10 Exhibitor time

1:10-2:00 Session 4

2:10-3:00 Session 5

Local and National Exhibitors

Each year, MCSS welcomes a variety of fantastic exhibitors!

Keynote Speakers

2019 Social Studies Social Speaker

Kenneth C. Davis, author of Don't Know Much About series, In the Shadow of Liberty, and More Deadly Than War

2019 Breakfast Speaker

Emily Larson, Mayor of Duluth

2019 Lunch Presentation

Deer River Drum and Dance students

What is new in 2019?

Sunday Afternoon Clinic with Minnesota Civic Youth

You're coming to Duluth, anyway! Come early on Sunday afternoon for a FREE clinic with Minnesota Civic Youth, focused on their new program, "Respectful Conversations in Schools." This program provides teachers and students with a model for approaching controversial issues. It is designed to increase students' civic knowledge, participation skills, and dispositions.

Anyone who registers and pays in full for the Monday conference can attend this clinic. Teams of teachers strongly encouraged. Contact Jessica Ellison for more information.

Sunday, March 3, 2019: 1-4 p.m., Duluth Entertainment Convention Center.

O-Gitch-I-Dah Deer River Drum and Dance

During the lunch hour on Monday, we are pleased to welcome students from O-Gitch-I-Dah Deer River Drum and Dance.

Drive for Shelters

MCSS is once again sponsoring a drive for local homeless shelters. Please bring new, unopened packages of socks or underwear (all ages and genders) to the registration table at the conference. You'll receive another free book with your donation, and help your fellow Minnesotans during these cold months.

B.Y.O.B. (Bring Your Own Bag)

In an effort to help the environment, MCSS will not be producing conference bags again this year. We have found that teachers have a stash of these bags already and more often than not, extra conference bags go right in the trash. Please Bring Your Own Bag, and at the registration table we will provide you with all your conference goodies!

Minnesota Council for the Social Studies. Affiliate of the National Council for the Social Studies.