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Social Sciences Resources

Teacher Updates

The Oregon Social Sciences Teacher Update is a monthly e-newsletter that provides teachers and other educators with information about professional development opportunities, teacher and student competitions and awards, and lectures, concerts, and exhibitions. The current issue and past issues are posted here. Subscribe to the Social Sciences Updates

Oregon Open Learning

Additional resources available here.

Curriculum & Instruction

Education in the social sciences aims to help students develop as rational, humane and productive citizens in a democratic society. Four elements of social studies education are necessary to help develop such citizens-knowledge, skills, values and participation. Democratic values, such as freedom, equality and due process, are the core of our national experience. Students should be involved in the thoughtful examination of ideas, viewpoints,


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Educator Resources - By Subject

Please note that inclusion of the following external web links does not imply endorsement of either the reliability of the information presented or its suitability for a particular age group or grade level.

  • ​​​​Library of Congress

    The Library of Congress is the nation's oldest federal cultural institution and serves as the research arm of Congress. The Library's mission is to make its resources available and useful to the Congress and the American people and to sustain and preserve a universal collection of knowledge and creativity for future generations.

  • Oregon Historical Society

    The Oregon Historical Society's mission is preserving and interpreting Oregon's past in thoughtful, illuminating, and provocative ways.

  • Smithsonian Institution

    The world's largest museum complex and research organization composed of 19 museums, 9 research centers, and the National Zoo. Visit the Smithsonian in person or online and you will see why it represents for so many the treasured icons of our past, the vibrant art of the present, and the scientific promise of the future.

  • U.S. Holocaust Museum​

    ​A living memorial to the Holocaust, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum stimulates leaders and citizens to confront hatred, prevent genocide, promote human dignity, and strengthen democracy.

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  • Classroom Law Project

    Helps students at all grade levels learn to be informed and active citizens who can foster, sustain, and preserve a free democratic society.

  • National Student Parent Mock Election

    Makes students and parents aware of the power of their ballot by actively involving them in a full-fledged campaign and national election. In 2004, the last presidential election year, over 4 million students, parents and teachers participated in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and 14 countries/territories around the world where Americans have schools. Over 40 million have participated since the project began.

  • Street Law

    Street Law is practical, participatory education about law, democracy, and human rights. A unique blend of content and methodology, Street Law uses techniques that promote cooperative learning, critical thinking, and the ability to participate in a democratic society.

  • USA for UN Refugee Agency​

    ​Teaching about Human Rights, Tolerance, and Refugees. Builds support in the United States for the humanitarian work of the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). Our mission is to inform Americans about the plight of refugees and advocate for their protection. We want to give individual Americans, frustrated by the growing refugee crisis and their own inability to do something to help, a way to put action behind their words.

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  • CNN - Politics

    Political news, opinion, and analysis from CNN.

  • Project Vote Smart​

    ​Americans young and old volunteer their time, take no money from special interest groups, and have committed themselves to an extraordinary effort that, if successful, will provide their fellow citizens with the tools for a reemergence of political power not known for half a century. Their idea is one you may have thought of yourself. It is a deceptively simple concept but enormously difficult to achieve and would not be possible without the collaboration of citizens willing to lay their partisan differences aside for this one crucial task.

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  • Consumer Jungle

    We've got information for you on everything you need to know to survive in the real world. Our content is packed with tips, advice, and direction on how to navigate the consumer jungle.

  • Federal Reserve

    Here you can find links to instructional materials and tools that can increase your understanding of the Federal Reserve, economics and financial education.

  • Federal Reserve Education

    This site is a resource where you will find information regarding the financial crises, the Fed's response, and the road ahead.

  • Jump Start - Oregon

    The Oregon Jump Start Coalition is a statewide, all volunteer, non-profit organization dedicated to improving the financial literacy of Oregon’s youth. We are a coalition, comprised of individuals, non-profit and governmental agencies and the corporate sector. The Coalition believes that all youth must have the financial literacy necessary to make informed financial decisions.

  • National Council on Economic Education​

    ​A nationwide network that leads in promoting economic literacy with students and their teachers. NCEE's mission is to help students develop the real-life skills they need to succeed: to be able to think and choose responsibly as consumers, savers, investors, citizens, members of the workforce, and effective participants in a global economy.​

  • National Council for the Social Studies​

    ​Social studies educators teach students the content knowledge, intellectual skills, and civic values necessary for fulfilling the duties of citizenship in a participatory democracy. The mission of National Council for the Social Studies is to provide leadership, service, and support for all social studies educators.

  • History Matters!

    Designed for high school and college teachers and students, History Matters serves as a gateway to web resources and offers other useful materials for teaching U.S. history.

  • The Historical Text Archive:​

    The HTA publishes high quality articles, books, essays, documents, historical photos, and links, screened for content, for a broad range of historical subjects. It was founded in 1990 in Mississippi and is one of the oldest history sites on the Internet. This site is dynamic with regular additions to its contents and its link collection.

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  • National Council on Geographic Education​

    Since 1888, we've traveled the Earth, sharing its amazing stories with each new generation. National Geographic's Mission Programs support critical expeditions and scientific fieldwork, encourage geography education for students, promote natural and cultural conservation, and inspire audiences through new media, vibrant exhibitions, and live events.

Professional Organizations


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