# social studies (blogs) — RSS Amplifier Recent posts from the 7 feeds in the RSS Amplifier directory that cover social studies. Page: Feed: --- ## [Progress continues on assessment and accountability as KBE discusses early draft of new regulation](https://www.kentuckyteacher.org/kyboard/2026/08/45360/) _2026-08-21 · Joe Ragusa · Kentucky Teacher_ Members of the Kentucky Board of Education (KBE) made several suggestions regarding Kentucky’s new assessment and accountability systems during the KBE meeting Aug. 5-6. ## [New Covington Independent Superintendent Cortnei Flucas brings in renewed focus on shaping student experiences](https://www.kentuckyteacher.org/features/2026/08/new-covington-independent-superintendent-cortnei-flucas-brings-in-renewed-focus-on-shaping-student-experiences/) _2026-08-21 · Fiona Morgan · Kentucky Teacher_ Covington Independent’s new superintendent, Cortnei Flucas, brings a variety of experience and a renewed focus on student outcomes to the district. ## [Student-led Individual Learning Plan promotional project unveiled during KDE’s Superintendents Webcast](https://www.kentuckyteacher.org/news/2026/08/student-led-individual-learning-plan-promotional-project-unveiled-during-kdes-superintendents-webcast/) _2026-08-19 · Joe Ragusa · Kentucky Teacher_ An Individual Learning Plan is a comprehensive framework for advising students in grades 6-12 to engage in coursework and activities that best prepare them for college and career success. ## ["Gus" The T. rex Fetches A Staggering $50.1 Million At Auction](https://www.dogonews.com/2026/8/19/gus-the-t-rex-fetches-a-staggering-50-dollars-1-cents-million-at-auction) _2026-08-19 · DOGOnews_ A Tyrannosaurus rex (T. rex) skeleton named "Gus" sold for a record-breaking $50.1 million at a Sotheby's auction in New York on July 14, 2026. The winning sale came after a fierce 10-minute bidding war. The final price far exceeded the fossil's pre-sale estimate of $20 million to $30 million. It also broke the previous dinosaur fossil auction record of $44.6 million set by "Apex," the… ## [New at Images & Objects Lab](https://www.dhss.phil.fau.eu/2026/08/19/new-at-images-objects-lab/) _2026-08-19 · Afeefa S. · Untitled - Department of Digital Humanities and Social Studies_ We are delighted to welcome Neelesh Babu as a Student Assistant in the Department for Digital Humanities and Social Studies. Neelesh is currently pursuing his Master’s degree in Data Science at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, with a specialisation in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. His Master’s thesis, supervised by Prof. Mila Oiva from the Department of Digital… ## [How Alpha School Teaches Writing](https://nataliewexler.substack.com/p/how-alpha-school-teaches-writing) _2026-08-17 · Natalie Wexler · Minding the Gap_ Its writing app closely resembles The Writing Revolution, except for one key element: what students write about. ## [Interim Joint Committee on Education hears about how Kentucky’s literacy and numeracy efforts accelerate academic recovery](https://www.kentuckyteacher.org/news/2026/08/interim-joint-committee-on-education-hears-about-how-kentuckys-literacy-and-numeracy-efforts-accelerate-academic-recovery/) _2026-08-17 · Fiona Morgan · Kentucky Teacher_ Leaders of the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) shared Kentucky’s growth in reading and math from results in the Education Scorecard and the National Assessment of Educational Progress to the Interim Joint Committee on Education during its meeting on Aug. 4. ## [Powerful 7.4-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Colombia](https://www.dogonews.com/2026/8/17/powerful-7-dot-4-magnitude-earthquake-strikes-colombia) _2026-08-17 · DOGOnews_ On August 10, 2026, a powerful earthquake shook western Colombia. The magnitude 7.4 tremor was the largest recorded in the country this century. It was felt across neighboring Ecuador, Panama, and Venezuela. ## [Middlesboro Independent Superintendent Bill Jones brings more focus on STEM to the district](https://www.kentuckyteacher.org/features/2026/08/middlesboro-independent-superintendent-bill-jones-brings-more-focus-on-stem-to-the-district/) _2026-08-14 · Fiona Morgan · Kentucky Teacher_ No stranger to taking the lead, Jones has more than 50 years of combined military and educational leadership experience. He served with distinction in the United States Army from 1973 to 1993, ultimately attaining the rank of first sergeant. He then served more than three decades in public education. ## [No Kid Hungry announces Marion County’s Jennifer Wheeler as 2026 Summer Hunger Hero](https://www.kentuckyteacher.org/news/2026/08/no-kid-hungry-announces-marion-countys-jennifer-wheeler-as-2026-summer-hunger-hero/) _2026-08-14 · No Kid Hungry · Kentucky Teacher_ No Kid Hungry celebrates these Summer Hunger Heroes for their efforts to turn the tide on child hunger, to ensure families have reliable access to nutrition throughout the year, and to make summer a season where kids can simply focus on being kids. ## [Know before it drops (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/ghX4Yt8wKO37) _2026-08-14 · **Sponsored**_ Follow a show, artist, genre or rocket and get notified before release ## [NASA Launches Rescue Mission To Save The Swift Observatory](https://www.dogonews.com/2026/8/14/nasa-launches-rescue-mission-to-save-the-swift-observatory) _2026-08-14 · DOGOnews_ NASA's Swift Observatory, which was launched in 2004, was designed to last just two years. Yet more than two decades later, the orbiting space telescope is still helping scientists study gamma-ray bursts. These powerful flashes of energy occur when stars die or collide. They help scientists learn about the history of the universe. ## [Famous Piano-Playing Octopus Retires](https://www.dogonews.com/2026/8/12/famous-piano-playing-octopus-retires) _2026-08-12 · DOGOnews_ Tako, the piano-playing octopus, has retired. His owner, Swedish YouTuber Mattias Krantz, announced the news in March 2026. It marked the end of an extraordinary experiment that captured the attention of millions. ## [Harnessing Social Studies Instruction to Boost Literacy](https://nataliewexler.substack.com/p/harnessing-social-studies-instruction) _2026-08-12 · Natalie Wexler · Minding the Gap_ The subject is worth teaching for its own sake--but it can also improve reading scores. ## [NEW Blog Series: Chronic Absenteeism in Kentucky](https://www.kentuckyteacher.org/news/2026/08/new-blog-series-chronic-absenteeism-in-kentucky/) _2026-08-11 · Staff · Kentucky Teacher_ Through research, data, and real-world examples, the series examines how attendance has changed since the pandemic, the factors driving chronic absenteeism and the statewide efforts, partnerships and policy changes helping schools reconnect students and improve attendance outcomes. ## [KAGC offers scholarship for Kentucky students who study communications](https://www.kentuckyteacher.org/bulletin-board/2026/08/kagc-offers-scholarship-for-kentucky-students-who-study-communications/) _2026-08-11 · Staff · Kentucky Teacher_ The Kentucky Association of Government Communicators (KAGC) awards a $1,000 non-renewable scholarship annually to students who plan to or are currently studying communications. Possible career paths include journalism, public affairs, digital content creation and more. ## [Look Up! The Perseid Meteor Shower Peaks August 12-13](https://www.dogonews.com/2026/8/10/look-up-the-perseid-meteor-shower-peaks-august-12-13) _2026-08-10 · DOGOnews_ There are numerous meteor showers throughout the year. However, few are as popular, or as reliable, as the Perseids. The shower has been producing about a dozen meteors an hour since mid-July. But the best time to see them will be on the night of August 12 into the morning of August 13, 2026. That is when the number of meteors will increase sharply to between 50 and 100 an hour. This year, the… ## [Elementary Constitution Day Mock Trial Opportunity](https://www.kentuckyteacher.org/bulletin-board/2026/08/elementary-constitution-day-mock-trial-opportunity/) _2026-08-07 · Staff · Kentucky Teacher_ This event is provided by the Olathe Public School District and the Kansas Department of Education. ## [Kentucky high schools encouraged to sign up for Paint the Plow program](https://www.kentuckyteacher.org/bulletin-board/2026/08/kentucky-high-schools-encouraged-to-sign-up-for-paint-the-plow-program/) _2026-08-07 · Staff · Kentucky Teacher_ Plan now to join the fun and help brighten your community this winter by painting a plow to start the 2026-2027 school year! The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s (KYTC) fourth annual Paint the Plow program is returning this fall. ## [New Leslie County Superintendent Daniel Day continues lifelong journey in the district](https://www.kentuckyteacher.org/features/2026/08/new-leslie-county-superintendent-daniel-day-continues-lifelong-journey-in-the-district/) _2026-08-07 · Fiona Morgan · Kentucky Teacher_ Day was born and raised in Leslie County and attended the district’s schools from kindergarten through high school. ## [KDE reminds drivers of important change to bus traffic safety laws](https://www.kentuckyteacher.org/news/2026/08/kde-reminds-drivers-of-important-change-to-bus-traffic-safety-laws/) _2026-08-07 · Jennifer Ginn · Kentucky Teacher_ As the Commonwealth’s districts and schools prepare for the start of the 2026-2027 school year, the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) is reminding drivers of a recent change in state law regarding when drivers must stop for school buses picking up students. ## [Recipe PDFs Ready Fast (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/thPhVr5yn8jQ) _2026-08-07 · **Sponsored**_ Turn online or personal recipes into clean, printable PDFs in seconds. ## [Why Rescue Animals In England Are Wearing Soccer Socks](https://www.dogonews.com/2026/8/7/why-rescue-animals-in-england-are-wearing-soccer-socks) _2026-08-07 · DOGOnews_ A herd of rescued horses and donkeys at Redwings Horse Sanctuary in Norfolk, England, just received an unexpected wardrobe upgrade. The animals are now wearing bright red team socks from Arsenal FC, one of the world's most famous soccer clubs. ## [Mainland Europe Set To Witness Its First Total Solar Eclipse Since 1999](https://www.dogonews.com/2026/8/5/mainland-europe-set-to-witness-its-first-total-solar-eclipse-since-1999) _2026-08-05 · DOGOnews_ On August 12, 2026, a total solar eclipse will sweep across Greenland, Iceland, the Atlantic Ocean, and narrow parts of northern Spain and Portugal. It will be the first total solar eclipse visible from mainland Europe since 1999. ## [Historic Wildfires Sweep Across France And Spain](https://www.dogonews.com/2026/8/3/historic-wildfires-sweep-across-france-and-spain) _2026-08-03 · DOGOnews_ Thousands of firefighters across France and Spain are working to contain historic wildfires that have forced more than 300,000 people to evacuate. The blazes have been fueled by extreme heat, dry conditions, and powerful winds. They have burned hundreds of thousands of acres of forests and other vegetation across both nations. ## [How to Make "Gifted" Programs More Equitable](https://nataliewexler.substack.com/p/how-to-make-gifted-programs-more) _2026-08-02 · Natalie Wexler · Minding the Gap_ Targeting bright but unmotivated kids from low-income families can have dramatic effects ## [Everyone's Talking About PFAS in Tiverton—But We're Missing the Bigger Picture](https://shannonmcnamara.substack.com/p/everyones-talking-about-pfas-in-tivertonbut) _2026-07-30 · Shannon McNamara · A Curious Compass Podcast_ While We Debate PFAS, Firefighters Are Paying the Ultimate Price ## [Josh Kerr Sets New World Record For The Fastest Mile](https://www.dogonews.com/2026/7/30/josh-kerr-sets-new-world-record-for-the-fastest-mile) _2026-07-30 · DOGOnews_ On July 18, 2026, Scottish runner Josh Kerr shattered the men's mile world record at the London Diamond League, an elite track and field meet. He crossed the finish line in just 3 minutes and 42.66 seconds, beating the previous world record of 3 minutes and 43.13 seconds. That record had been held by Morocco's Hicham El Guerrouj since 1999. ## [The Alpha School Debate](https://nataliewexler.substack.com/p/the-alpha-school-debate) _2026-07-26 · Natalie Wexler · Minding the Gap_ The network of private schools may have harnessed the power of AI to dramatically boost test scores, but is that all there is to education? ## [How Schools Can Counter "The End of Reading"](https://nataliewexler.substack.com/p/how-schools-can-counter-the-end-of) _2026-07-16 · Natalie Wexler · Minding the Gap_ A recent article in the Atlantic highlights a real problem, but it undersells the possibility of education to address it. ## [Text & Language Lab at CAD 2026 Lancaster: Recap & Impressions](https://www.dhss.phil.fau.eu/2026/07/13/text-language-lab-at-cad-2026-lancaster-recap-impressions/) _2026-07-13 · Afeefa S. · Untitled - Department of Digital Humanities and Social Studies_ The Text & Language Lab team took part in the 8th Corpora and Discourse International Conference (CAD 2026), held at Lancaster University, UK, from 23–25 June 2026. CAD 2026 brought together researchers from across the world working at the intersections of corpus linguistics and discourse analysis, with contributions spanning corpus-assisted discourse studies, corpus-based and corpus-driven \[…\] ## [A (Relatively) Easy Way to Boost Reading Comprehension](https://nataliewexler.substack.com/p/a-relatively-easy-way-to-boost-reading) _2026-07-11 · Natalie Wexler · Minding the Gap_ Teaching students to understand complex sentence structure can be powerful, a recent study suggests. ## [Code Faster with Clear Tutorials (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/yL8cIFj4FTjU) _2026-07-11 · **Sponsored**_ Short, step-by-step coding videos you can follow along ## [New Texas Social Studies Standards Are Content-Specific but Divisive](https://nataliewexler.substack.com/p/new-texas-social-studies-standards) _2026-07-04 · Natalie Wexler · Minding the Gap_ States can adopt rigorous standards without sparking culture wars. ## [Inside America's 250th Birthday Time Capsule](https://www.dogonews.com/2026/6/30/inside-americas-250th-birthday-time-capsule) _2026-06-30 · DOGOnews_ On July 4, 2026, the United States will celebrate its 250th birthday. To mark the occasion, officials will bury a time capsule in Philadelphia. The capsule is designed to give future Americans a glimpse of life in 2026. It will be opened on July 4, 2276, when the nation observes its 500th birthday. ## [More Test-Based Accountability? It's Complicated](https://nataliewexler.substack.com/p/more-test-based-accountability-its) _2026-06-28 · Natalie Wexler · Minding the Gap_ Accountability is necessary, but not for "reading comprehension." ## [A New Way To Bring Teaching in Line With Cognitive Science](https://nataliewexler.substack.com/p/a-new-way-to-bring-teaching-in-line) _2026-06-18 · Natalie Wexler · Minding the Gap_ Maybe we need to focus on changing classroom practice--through testing. ## [The Growth vs. Proficiency Debate](https://nataliewexler.substack.com/p/the-growth-vs-proficiency-debate) _2026-06-12 · Natalie Wexler · Minding the Gap_ Is Washington, D.C., a phenomenal education success story or an abject failure? It depends on how you measure success. ## [STEM Methods Meet Digital Humanities! Cultural Physicist Dr. Mikhail Tamm (Tallinn University) Visits DHSS | June 15–19, 2026](https://www.dhss.phil.fau.eu/2026/06/03/stem-methods-meet-digital-humanities-cultural-physicist-dr-mikhail-tamm-tallinn-university-visits-dhss-june-15-19-2026/) _2026-06-03 · Afeefa S. · Untitled - Department of Digital Humanities and Social Studies_ One of the defining strengths of Digital Humanities lies in its ability to bring together diverse disciplines to explore cultural and societal questions through computational approaches. While DH has long adapted methods from computer science, other STEM fields—including mathematics and physics—also offer powerful analytical and modeling tools that open new perspectives for humanities research.… ## [New at DHSS: James Tauber](https://www.dhss.phil.fau.eu/2026/06/01/new-at-dhss-james-tauber/) _2026-06-01 · Afeefa S. · Untitled - Department of Digital Humanities and Social Studies_ We are delighted to welcome James Tauber as a PhD candidate in the Text and Language Lab, led by Prof. Michaela Mahlberg in the Department of Digital Humanities and Social Studies. James’s doctoral research explores linguistic variation in narrative fiction, combining corpus linguistics, computational narratology, and natural language processing. His work focuses on how language \[…\] ## [Apply now: M.A. Digital Humanities, Application deadline July 15](https://www.dhss.phil.fau.eu/2026/05/27/apply-now-m-a-digital-humanities-application-deadline-july-15/) _2026-05-27 · Afeefa S. · Untitled - Department of Digital Humanities and Social Studies_ Applications are now open for the M.A. Digital Humanities at FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg. The programme is designed for students interested in the intersection of humanities, culture, language, society, and digital methods. It offers an interdisciplinary environment where students learn to work with digital tools, computational approaches, and critical perspectives on data, texts, media, and cultural… ## [New at DHSS: Nancy Scharpff](https://www.dhss.phil.fau.eu/2026/05/27/neu-am-dhss-nancy-scharpff/) _2026-05-27 · Afeefa S. · Untitled - Department of Digital Humanities and Social Studies_ We are delighted to welcome Nancy Scharpff as the new managing director of the Department for Digital Humanities and Social Studies! With her background in academia and many years of experience in research funding and science management, she brings valuable expertise and, since May, supports the strategic development of the department and the creation of \[…\] ## [AVinDH Online Workshop Series 2026](https://www.dhss.phil.fau.eu/2026/05/26/avindh-online-workshop-series-2026/) _2026-05-26 · Afeefa S. · Untitled - Department of Digital Humanities and Social Studies_ The AVinDH Special Interest Group is launching the AVinDH Online Workshop Series 2026, a year-round programme dedicated to current developments in Audiovisual and Digital Humanities. The series brings together scholars, researchers, and practitioners interested in innovative approaches to audiovisual media. Through online workshops, it highlights new tools for analysing audio and visual data,… ## [Congratulations to Dr. Tillmann Ohm on Two Awards at Tallinn University](https://www.dhss.phil.fau.eu/2026/05/06/congratulations-to-dr-tillmann-ohm-on-two-awards-at-tallinn-university/) _2026-05-06 · Afeefa S. · Untitled - Department of Digital Humanities and Social Studies_ We are delighted to congratulate Dr. Tillmann Ohm, postdoctoral fellow of the Images and Objects Group in Digital Humanities and Social Sciences, on receiving two awards at Tallinn University. His doctoral thesis, “Designing Processes and Tools to Research Similarity Spaces of Visual Collections,” supervised by Prof. Maximilian Schich, was awarded Best Doctoral Thesis in the \[…\] ## [CLiC relaunched at FAU Erlangen–Nürnberg](https://www.dhss.phil.fau.eu/2026/04/22/clic-relaunched-at-fau-erlangen-nuernberg/) _2026-04-22 · Afeefa S. · Untitled - Department of Digital Humanities and Social Studies_ The CLiC web app has been officially relaunched at FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, marking an important step in advancing digital approaches to literary and linguistic analysis. Originally the CLiC web app has been developed as part of the CLiC Dickens project, designed specifically for the analysis of literary texts. CLiC Dickens started at the University of Nottingham in 2013, later \[…\] ## [🌍 Earth Day 2026](https://www.dhss.phil.fau.eu/2026/04/22/%f0%9f%8c%8d-earth-day-2026/) _2026-04-22 · Afeefa S. · Untitled - Department of Digital Humanities and Social Studies_ In mid-January 2026, Prof. David M. Hannah, Professor of Hydrology, UNESCO Chair in Water Sciences, and Director of the Birmingham Institute for Sustainability and Climate Action, visited the Text and Language Lab to deliver a lecture titled “Water in a Changing Environment.” On this Earth Day, we are sharing a scientific statement from Prof. Hannah \[…\] ## [Typography 101 - Week 15!](https://shannonmcnamara.substack.com/p/typography-101-week-15) _2025-11-07 · A Curious Compass Podcast_ A brief intro to the world of Typography with your Instructor Shannon McNamara! ## [Fiction - Outsourced - Part 34](https://shannonmcnamara.substack.com/p/fiction-outsourced-part-34) _2025-11-04 · A Curious Compass Podcast_ When her job is outsourced, Meg's world is turned upside down. Struggling to find stability, she navigates the challenges of unemployment, self-doubt, and an unraveling relationship. ## [Typography 101 - Week 14!](https://shannonmcnamara.substack.com/p/typography-101-week-14) _2025-10-31 · A Curious Compass Podcast_ A brief intro to the world of Typography with your Instructor Shannon McNamara! ## [Fiction - Outsourced - Part 33](https://shannonmcnamara.substack.com/p/fiction-outsourced-part-33) _2025-10-28 · A Curious Compass Podcast_ When her job is outsourced, Meg's world is turned upside down. Struggling to find stability, she navigates the challenges of unemployment, self-doubt, and an unraveling relationship. ## [Typography 101 - Week 13!](https://shannonmcnamara.substack.com/p/typography-101-week-13) _2025-10-24 · A Curious Compass Podcast_ A brief intro to the world of Typography with your Instructor Shannon McNamara! ## [Fiction - Outsourced - Part 32](https://shannonmcnamara.substack.com/p/fiction-outsourced-part-32) _2025-10-21 · A Curious Compass Podcast_ When her job is outsourced, Meg's world is turned upside down. Struggling to find stability, she navigates the challenges of unemployment, self-doubt, and an unraveling relationship. ## [Typography 101 - Week 12!](https://shannonmcnamara.substack.com/p/typography-101-week-12) _2025-10-17 · A Curious Compass Podcast_ A brief intro to the world of Typography with your Instructor Shannon McNamara!