Minnesota Council for the Social Studies

Breakout session resources from past conferences

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

New for 2020!

Colonial Williamsburg is offering a FREE workshop to all MCSS registrants on Sunday, March 1, before the Social Studies Social.

The workshop, "Teaching Sensitive and Controversial Topics," will be at the Mankato Civic Center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Clock hours and materials provided.

Free, but registration required! Sign up when you register for the conference.

MCSS Annual Conference: March 1-2, 2020
Mankato Convention Center, Mankato

Submit a session proposal

Register for 2020 Conference

95% of 2019 attendees said they received valuable resources, ideas, and strategies at the MCSS conference in Duluth.

Comments from 2019 MCSS Conference attendees:

"I left feeling like my job is important and the work that I do will make a difference."

"I received access to countless new and useful resources, got some great tips on pedagogy, and was able to meet social studies educators from across the state."

"I appreciated the options I had as an elementary teacher."

"I wish that more teachers/administrators/school districts realized how important it is for social studies teachers to attend this conference!"

The 2020 MCSS Annual Conference will take place in Mankato, Minnesota. The theme is "Keeping Civil Discourse in Focus."

Please check back for registration information, conference details, and hotel information.

Sunday, March 1, 2020: Colonial Williamsburg workshop (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

Join educators and interpreters from Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia, for a full day of free learning. Lunch, six clock hours, and materials provided.

Sunday, March 1, 2020: Social Studies Social (5:30-8:30 p.m.)

Keynote: John Tinker, plaintiff in the 1969 landmark Supreme Court case Tinker v. Des Moines

Monday, March 2, 2020: Conference

Conference Presentations

2020 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

10:50-11:50 Exhibitor time

11:50-12:50 Lunch (including Annual Meeting)

12:50-1:10 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

2020 Social Studies Social Speaker

John Tinker, plaintiff in Tinker v. Des Moines Supreme Court case (1969)

2020 Breakfast Speaker

Steve Simon, Minnesota secretary of state

2020 Lunch Presentation

Social Studies Trivia

What is new in 2020?

Sunday Workshop with Colonial Williamsburg: "Teaching Sensitive and Controversial Topics"

You're coming to Mankato, anyway! Come early on Sunday for a FREE workshop with Colonial Williamsburg. Please check back on this website for more workshop details, including presenters and agenda. The workshop will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and includes lunch, six clock hours, and materials.

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

Sunday, March 1, 2020: 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Mankato Civic Center.

Drive for Shelters

MCSS is once again sponsoring a drive for a local homeless shelter. Please bring new, unopened packages of socks or underwear 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.