Location: Grand Ballroom EFG

Location: Grand Ballroom EFG

Location: Grand Ballroom EFG

Location: Grand Ballroom EFG

Location: Garden 1

Location: Garden 1

Location: Garden 1

Location: Garden 1

Location: Garden 1

Location: Garden 1

Location: Garden 1

Tackling Media Bias, Misinformation and AI: Navigating the Changing Media Landscape

Finding reliable information can feel like navigating a jungle of claims, clickbait, and AI-generated content. Fortunately, the strategies professional fact-checkers use to find credible sources still work, whether the information is created by humans or machines. This session with KQED and Facing History prepares students to reflect on their media choices, unpack media bias, and evaluate online sources like pros.

Speaker(s):

Rachel Roberson, KQED Joe Spencer, Program Associate, Facing History and Ourselves

Location: Garden 1

Location: Garden 1

Your Civics Projects Playbook

Not sure how to plan for a student-led civics project? This session will provide you with a structure and hands-on practice for guiding students through civics projects. It will also provide you with free resources that will help you instill the life-long skills and knowledge students need to make change within their community.

Speaker(s):

Lora DeSalvo, Senior Curriculum Developer, iCivics, Inc.

Location: Garden 1

Elementary Symposium: Planting Possibility

Elementary Educators Growing Character, Curiosity, and Global Awareness

Join us for an uplifting symposium created for elementary educators who believe in nurturing the roots of global citizenship. Together, we'll uncover how the character traits that inspired historical figures to take positive civic action can empower today's students to make meaningful contributions in their own communities. Through interactive discussions and practical strategies, Elementary teachers will learn how to weave social studies, civics, and character education into lessons that spark empathy, inclusion, and appreciation for all cultures and identities. Discover how developing critical thinking skills empowers young learners to make informed, ethical choices that contribute to a brighter, more connected world. Leave inspired, with new tools and ideas to help your students grow as curious, compassionate, and globally minded citizens.

Sponsored by Studies Weekly

Speaker(s):

Teresa Hudock, USC CALIS Cathy Marston, Teacher, Sutherland Elementary School

Location: Garden 1

Uplifting Student Identities and Voices Through the Model Curricula

This pre-conference highlights how the Model Curricula can center student identities and amplify student voices. The day features a keynote on identity in education, lesson connections across the Cambodian American, Hmong, Vietnamese American, and Native American Studies Model Curricula, and a teacher panel sharing classroom practices that uplift student stories.

*Attendees may participate in this pre-conference independent of the main CCSS conference. 

Registration link - Deadline to register is 3/11/26


 

Audience	K-12 Educators
Facilitator(s)	Matt O'Donnell
Location	Hyatt Regency Garden Grove 11999 Harbor Blvd. Garden Grove, CA 92840 Map | Driving Directions Maps and directions provided by Google® Maps. Please verify map and driving directions for accuracy prior to attending event.
Contact	Matt O'Donnell modonnell@ocde.us P: (714) 966-4157
Sponsor	History and Social Sciences

Location: Garden 1

Supporting Inquiry and Literacy Centered Classrooms to Develop Effective Thinkers and Writers

In the quickly evolving world of AI, students still need the skills to
develop their thinking and writing skills to understand and analyze
information and misinformation. Using the DBQ Project methodology,
this session will build educator capacity in engaging and challenging
students to think critically, analyze deeply, and write with purpose.
Educators will actively engage in inquiry and literacy strategies with
DBQ Online, highlighting certain steps of the methodology that support
critical thinking, reading comprehension, and evidence-based writing.

REGISTER HERE:
https://www.eventcreate.com/e/ccssdbq2026

      

Speaker(s):

Don Azevada, Publisher, The DBQ Project

Location: Garden 2

Bearing Witness: Teaching the Under Told Stories of Japanese American Incarceration

During WWII, Japanese Americans were unjustly incarcerated by the United States government, solely because of their ancestry. How can studying this history empower students to identify and understand the impact of identity-based injustices? Join the Japanese American National Museum and Facing History to explore historical and literary resources that engage students in questions about membership, perspective, and confronting injustice.

Speaker(s):

Lynn Yamasaki, Director of Education, Japanese American National Museum Jason David, Other, Facing History and Ourselves

Location: Garden 2

Location: Garden 2

Bringing Student Civic Learning and Reflection to Life with Infographics

Political and social tensions, eroding trust in institutions, and rising incidents of hatred and bigotry have made it more essential than ever to reflect on the importance of democracy. Participants will create interactive infographics with KQED's digital tools using Facing History's fundamentals of democracy resource collection in order to develop civic learning and media literacy skills

Speaker(s):

Joe Spencer, Program Associate, Facing History and Ourselves Rachel Roberson, KQED

Location: Garden 2

Location: Garden 2

Location: Garden 2

Location: Garden 2

People Make Choices, Choices Make History: The Desegregation of Central High School

Learn about and experience Facing History & Ourselves’ approach to civic education through an interactive overview of a revised case study on the Little Rock Nine. In this unit, students delve into the 1957 school desegregation crisis and reflect on the question, “How do the choices people make, individually and collectively, strengthen or weaken democracy?"

Speaker(s):

Jason David, Other, Facing History and Ourselves

Location: Garden 2

Location: Garden 2

Location: Garden 2

Location: Garden 2

Location: Garden 2

Location: Garden 2

Location: Garden 3

Location: Garden 3

Location: Garden 3

Ethnic Studies Forum

Participants will engage with Ethnic Studies educators to discuss best practices in the classroom, content, challenges, resources, professional learning, and community and civic engagement. The forum will center current research while creating space for educators and administrators to share how they are navigating implementation, pushback, and the sustainability of Ethnic Studies.

Sponsored by Gibbs Smith Education & The Asian American Foundation

  

Location: Garden 3

CCSS 2026 Annual Awards Ceremony

Join us in celebrating this year's award winners at our ceremony. All are welcome! Light refreshments will be available. 

Thank you to our generous sponsor

 

Location: Garden 3

Location: Garden 3

Location: Garden 3

Administrator’s Colloquium

Thank you to our Sponsor - Facing History & Ourselves

Location: Garden 3

Location: Garden 4

Location: Garden 4

Location: Garden 4

Location: Garden 4

Location: Garden 4

Level Up Your Classroom with Gamification

Learn how to use gamification to boost engagement, motivation, and learning outcomes in your social studies classroom. This session will introduce simple, practical strategies to gamify lessons, build classroom relationships, and make content review both fun and effective. Participants will leave with ready-to-use game ideas that help students achieve specific learning objectives while enjoying the learning process.

Speaker(s):

Michael Washington, Publisher, TCI Jaime Wolf, TCI

Location: Garden 4

Location: Garden 4

Location: Garden 4

Location: Garden 4

Location: Garden 4

What’s New with TCI: Digital Tools, Video Activities, and LMS Integrations

Discover TCI's latest updates! Join us to explore new digital tools, engaging video activities, and seamless LMS integrations. Learn how these innovations can enhance your teaching and streamline your workflow. Don't miss this chance to elevate your classroom experience with TCI!

Speaker(s):

Bert Bower, CEO/Founder of TCI, TCI

Location: Garden 4

Location: Garden 4

Pre-Service and New Teacher Forum

Join our forum specifically designed to support pre-service and new teachers. We'll talk about some essential information for your Social Studies classroom and have open time for questions so you can learn, reflect, and set goals for the future.

Sponsored by 

Speaker(s):

Chris Lewis, Teacher, Mountain View High School (El Monte)

Location: Garden 4

Location: Harbor

Location: Harbor

Location: Harbor

Developing Thinkers and Writers to support Local and Global Civic Engagement

Join us for an interactive session to explore innovative ways to engage students in Civics content. We'll delve into two of our newest Civics units that support Civic Engagement: Why Is it Important to be Media Literate? And What Can You Do to Influence Government? Discover practical strategies, and resources, to integrate Civic centered engagement and learning into your classroom.

Speaker(s):

Don Azevada, Publisher, The DBQ Project

Location: Harbor

Location: Harbor

Location: Harbor

Location: Harbor

Location: Harbor

Location: Harbor

Location: Harbor

Location: Harbor

Location: Harbor

Location: Pacific

Location: Pacific

From 1776 to Today: Why the Declaration of Independence Still Matters

With our nation's 250th anniversary next year, it is the perfect opportunity to engage students with the core ideas in the Declaration of Independence. These ideas transcend time and place having a significant influence on the United States and the world. Explore iCivics resources including games, videos, and lesson plans that bring these relevant and enduring themes to to life.

Speaker(s):

Tammy Waller, Associate Director of Engagement at iCivics, Associate Director, Engagement, iCivics

Location: Pacific

Ground Zero to Gen Z: Teaching 9/11 25 Years Later Canceled

As we approach the 25th anniversary of 9/11, how can educators bring the ongoing significance of 9/11 to life for today’s students? In this hands-on session, explore the new toolkit from the 9/11 Memorial & Museum featuring multimedia lessons, activities, and compelling firsthand stories that spark critical thinking and empathy. Leave with classroom-ready resources focused on resilience, reflection, and identity.


 

Speaker(s):

Megan Jones, Vice President of Education, 9/11 Memorial & Museum

Location: Pacific

Location: Pacific

Location: Pacific

Location: Pacific

Location: Pacific

Location: Pacific

Location: Pacific

Location: Pacific

Location: Salon I

Location: Salon I

Location: Salon I

Location: Salon I

Location: Salon I

Location: Salon I

Lessons of Borders and Belonging from Angel Island Immigration Station

Explore the voices of Angel Island immigrants from the past and communities of the present to investigate identity, community, and cultural heritage. Angel Island as a single port of entry impacted communities across California and the entire nation, creating a powerful inquiry for global impact. Learners will grapple with inclusion, exclusion, and who gets to be an American.

Speaker(s):

Danielle Wetmore, Other Moira Rutiz, Program Associate, Facing History & Ourselves

Location: Salon I

Location: Salon I

Location: Salon I

The Challenges and Possibilities of Building a Movement: The Delano Grape Strike

What can the history of the Delano grape strike and boycott teach us about what it takes to build solidarity in a movement for change? Examine the strategies that farm workers used to foster unity and reflect on the power of collective action for enacting transformative social change.

Speaker(s):

Moira Rutiz, Program Associate, Facing History & Ourselves

Location: Salon I

Location: Salon I

Location: Salon II

Location: Salon II

Location: Salon II

Location: Salon II

Location: Salon II

Location: Salon II

Location: Salon II

Location: Salon II

Location: Salon II

Location: Salon II

Location: Salon II

Dolores Huerta and Songs of Justice: Narrative Text in Social Studies

Participants will experience a portion of a grade 4 social studies lesson on farmworker and labor activism in California, where students use a narrative text about Dolores Huerta to enrich and deepen their knowledge while challenging dominant narratives.

Speaker(s):

Sean Dimond, Senior Editor, Social Studies, Core Knowledge Foundation

Location: Salon II

Location: Salon III

Location: Salon III

Location: Salon III

Location: Salon III

Location: Salon III

Location: Salon III

Location: Salon III

Location: Salon III

Location: Salon III

Location: Salon III

Location: Salon III

Location: Salon III

Location: Salon IV

Location: Salon IV

Location: Salon IV

Location: Salon IV

Location: Salon IV

Location: Salon IV

Location: Salon IV

Location: Salon IV

Location: Salon IV

Location: Salon IV

Location: Salon IV

Location: Salon IV

Location: Salon IV

Location: Salon V

Location: Salon V

Location: Salon V

Location: Salon V

Location: Salon V

Location: Salon V

Location: Salon V

Humanizing History: Teaching the Holocaust and Armenian Genocide with Primary Sources

Join Holocaust Museum LA & The Genocide Education Project to explore innovative new ways to teach difficult history using images, artifacts, testimonies, & literature from their free “teaching trunks” program. Participants will explore the materials, lessons & resources available through the trunks, while gaining tools & skills to foster empathy & deepen their understanding of California’s Jewish and Armenian communities.
 

Speaker(s):

Kerri Flynn, Education Director, The Genocide Education Project Sarah Klein, Senior Manager of Museum Education, Holocaust Museum LA Rachel Podber-Kennison, Education Programs Manager, Holocaust Museum LA

Location: Salon V

Location: Salon V

Location: Salon V

Location: Salon V

Location: Salon V

Location: Salon V

Location: Salon VI

Location: Salon VI

Location: Salon VI

Location: Salon VI

Location: Salon VI

Location: Salon VI

Location: Salon VI

Location: Salon VI

Location: Salon VI

Location: Salon VI

How to Teach the Declaration of Independence and Ethnic Studies Together

Reflect upon the meaning of the Declaration of Independence in the context both of diverse American historical experiences as well as its global resonances. Connect American Civics with Ethnic Studies in innovative ways. Encounter and explore primary sources, lesson plans, and other curricular resources associated with the “Many Stories, One Nation” curriculum produced by Fair For All.

Speaker(s):

Adam Seagrave, PhD in Political Science, Associate Professor, Arizona State University

Location: Salon VI

Location: Salon VII

Location: Salon VII

Location: Salon VII

Location: Salon VII

Location: Salon VII

Location: Salon VII

Location: Salon VII

The Importance of Discussing Hard History in the Classroom: The California-Armenia Connection

California is considered to be the epicenter of Armenian life in America; therefore, it is vitally important to include Armenian history. Join The Genocide Education Project and Facing History and Ourselves to explore new resources and strategies for exploring Armenian identity and history, as well as discussions and tips for safely bringing dehumanizing and emotionally challenging content

              

Speaker(s):

Kerri Flynn, Education Director, The Genocide Education Project Joe Spencer, Program Associate, Facing History and Ourselves

Location: Salon VII

Location: Salon VII

Location: Salon VII

Witness through Words: Literature as a Tool for Teaching Hard Histories

How can we support students in grappling with emotionally complex histories while fostering empathy, historical understanding, and literacy? This workshop equips educators to utilize genocide and Holocaust literature in a way that balances intellectual rigor with emotional care. Using both novels and picture books, students of all ages are able to connect with difficult historical topics in developmentally appropriate ways.

Speaker(s):

Shadi Seyedyousef, Program Associate, Facing History & Ourselves

Location: Salon VII

Location: Salon VIII

Location: Salon VIII

Location: Salon VIII

Financial Literacy in Action: The Stock Market Game and CCEE

Unpack how a $100,000 virtual portfolio and team-based competition turn abstract financial concepts into lived learning. See how the Stock Market Game, supported by CCEE, helps students from grade 4 through high school build financial confidence, teamwork, and decision-making skills—timely tools as California launches its new personal finance graduation requirement.

Speaker(s):

Joshua Mitton, MA, Interim President & CEO, CA Council on Economic Education Jennifer Prado, Stock Market Game Coordinator, SIFMA Foundation

Location: Salon VIII

Genocide Testimony in the Classroom: A How-To Guide

Join the Cambodian Genocide Resource Center and Facing History & Ourselves in discovering how to bring genocide survivor testimony into your classroom to foster empathy, deepen historical understanding, and spark student engagement. Centering on testimony from the Cambodian Genocide, this session offers strategies and resources to help students connect with difficult histories through the voices of those who lived them.

Speaker(s):

Alexis Herr, Director, Cambodian Genocide Resource Center Shadi Seyedyousef, Program Associate, Facing History & Ourselves

Location: Salon VIII

Location: Salon VIII

Location: Salon VIII

Location: Salon VIII

Location: Salon VIII

Location: Salon VIII

Location: Salon VIII

Location:

Location:

Location:

Location: