The Language Arts/Humanities Block offers Fresno County students and teachers a number of hands-on opportunities to demonstrate their talents and abilities in History/Social Science.

Bill of Rights Day is December 15th.  If you are looking for free lessons and resources, please contact The Bill of Rights Institute.  They have posted instructional materials to help teachers and students celebrate Bill of Rights Day.  They are available at www.BillofRightsInstitute.org.  

People from across the United States gather each year in California’s Central Valley for an opportunity to experience a bit of mid-nineteenth century American history. The event is The Civil War Revisited and it’s the largest annual Civil War reenactment in the Western United States.

• Visit 19th century military and civilian encampments
• Witness Civil War battle reenactments
• Meet and talk with historic characters including Abraham Lincoln, Harriet Tubman, Generals Lee and Grant, Clara Barton, Sojourner Truth and Walt Whitman
• Listen to period folk and military brass music
• Watch and interact with American artisans as they practice their crafts---quilters, spinners & weavers, wheel wrights, woodcarvers, rifle-makers, blacksmiths
• View fashions of the day
• Visit a period field hospital
• Sit in on discussions among military generals
• Attend short outdoor classroom sessions on topics including “The Role of California in the War”, “The Underground Railroad”, “The Common Soldier”, “The Two First Ladies”, and “Children’s Voices from the Civil War”
• Learn a period dance
• Enjoy horses in review as well as horse races

Fresno Historical Society Website
http://www.valleyhistory.org/civilwar.html

DATES - October 2-3, 2010

Constitution Day-September 17
"Pursuant to legislation passed by Congress, educational institutions receiving Federal funding are required to hold an educational program pertaining to the United States Constitution on September 17 of each year."

On September 17, 1787, 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention held their final session after meeting together for 4 months.  The delegates gathered almost daily in the State House (Independence Hall) in Philadelphia to revise the Articles of Confederation.  Their efforts resulted in our current Constitution.  The youngest signer of the Constitution was Jonathan Dayton from New Jersey who was 26 and the oldest signer was Benjamin Franklin, who was 81.  Six Signers of the Constitution had also signed the Declaration of Independence, 11 years earlier.  Two signers of the Constitution - George Washington and James Madison - became presidents.  The U.S. Constitution is one of the most influential legal documents in existence.  Since its creation some two hundred years ago, over one hundred countries around the world have used it as a model of their own.

CONTACTS
Dr. Lisa Benham (559) 265-3073, lbenham@fcoe.org 

RESOURCES
National Archives and Records Administration
http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/constitution-day/

National Constitution Center
http://constitutioncenter.org/ConstitutionDay

Library of Congress
http://thomas.loc.gov/teachers/constitution.html

Fresno Unified Constitution Day Website
www.fresno.k12.ca.us/divdept/sscience/constitutionday.html

SCORE Constitution Day Website
http://score.rims.k12.ca.us/score_lessons/special_events/constitution_day/

Constitution Rights Foundation
http://www.crf-usa.org/constitution_day/constitution_day_home.htm

Center for Civic Education
http://www.civiced.org

Annenberg Public Policy Center
http://www.justicelearning.org/constitutionday

Constitution Day
http://www.constitutionday.cc/

American Bar Association
http://www.abanet.org/publiced/conversations/constitution/home.shtml

PBS
http://www.pbs.org/search/search_results.html?q=Constitution+Day

Fresno County History Day is a unique opportunity for 4^{th -} 12^th grade students to research and present personally meaningful topics relating to an annual theme and examine history in a fun and challenging way.  Student winners in each category (posters, exhibits, historical papers, web sites, documentaries, and performances) will move on to the State competition, with the potential to qualify for National History Day.  The theme for History Day 2011 is Debate and Diplomacy in History: Successes, Failures, Consequences.

History Day March 19, 2011, will be held at Fresno Pacific University, main campus, located:
1717 S. Chestnut Avenue, Fresno, CA 93702  
Fresno Pacific University Campus Map (pdf)

DATES
2011 Important Dates (pdf)

Teacher-Coach Orientation Meeting:
Fresno County Office of Education, Room 101T
Wednesday, September 29, 2010  4:00 PM -5:30 PM
Orientation Meeting Flyer (pdf) coming soon
2011 History Day Orientation Meeting (PowerPoint) coming soon

Click Here to Register as a Teacher-Coach

Entry Form Deadline:  
January 19, 2011

Web Site and Historical Paper Projects Due:  
January 19, 2011

Mandatory Teacher-Coach Meeting:  
Fresno Pacific University (main campus)
February 23, 2011
February Meeting Presentation (PowerPoint) coming soon

History Day Posters & Exhibits Set-Up:
March 18, 2011 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Poster & Exhibit Set-up and Procedures (pdf) coming soon

Fresno County History Day Event:  
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Fresno Pacific University (main campus)
1717 S. Chestnut Avenue, Fresno, CA 93702
Registration 8:00 AM-12:00 PM

History Day in California State Finals:
April 28 - May 1, 2011
San Jose, California

National History Day:
June 12 - 16, 2011   
Maryland

ONLINE STUDENT REGISTRATION

CONTACTS
For Registration:     Linda Sibel           (559) 497-3710                         lsibel@fcoe.org
                                Hilda Sandoval     (559) 265-3098 ext. 3284         hsandoval@fcoe.org
For Information:      Mary Janzen         (559) 265-3098 ext. 3241         mjanzen@fcoe.org

DOWNLOADABLE FORMS 
2011 Fresno County History Day Flyer (pdf) 
2011 Guidelines for Submitting Entry Forms (pdf)  
2011 Entry Divisions & Categories (pdf)
2011 Set-up Procedures (pdf) coming soon
2011 Judge Recruitment Form (pdf)
2011 Judge Recruitment Flyer (pdf)
2011 History Day Letter to Parents (pdf) coming soon
2011 History Day Theme from the State (pdf) coming soon
2011 History Day Theme  from NHD (pdf)
2011 National History Day Contest Rulebook (pdf)
2011 National History Day Meeting the Standards (pdf) 
2011 Sample Topics (pdf) 
2011 Special Award Nomination Criteria (pdf)
2011 Special Award Nomination (pdf)  coming soon
2011 National History Day Theme Book (pdf)

HISTORY DAY JUDGE INFORMATION 
2011 Judge Handbook (pdf) coming soon
2011 Sample Score Sheet (pdf) 
2011 Project Rooms Schedule (pdf) coming soon
2011 Judge Recruitment Form (pdf) 
2011 Judge Recruitment Flyer (pdf)

HISTORY DAY STUDENT/TEACHER RESOURCES

2011 History Day Orientation Meeting (PowerPoint) coming soon

2011 NARA Basic Research Methods PowerPoint (pdf)
2011 A Research Roadmap (pdf)
National History Day Movie

RESEARCH RESOURCES  
·California Resources
·Organization & Instructions
·Museums & Historic Sites
·National Libraries & Archives & Directories
·US History Primary Sources & Major Web Sites
·World History Primary Sources & Major Web Sites
·Maps
·Photos & Other Images
·Song Lyrics


History Day National  Website
www.nationalhistoryday.org

2010 History Day Winners (pdf)                                                2010 Fresno County Students Moving to State (pdf)                                                           

2010 California State Winners from Fresno County (pdf)         2010 FCOE Video/Junior-Senior Division (Quick Time)

2010 National History Day Results (pdf)                                    2010 FCOE Video/Posters (Quick Time)

2009 History Day Winners (pdf)                                                    2009 Fresno County Students Moving to State (pdf)

2009 California State Winners from Fresno County (pdf)            2009 FCOE Video/Junior-Senior Division (Quick Time)

2009 National History Day Results (pdf)                                       2009 FCOE Video/Posters (Quick Time) 

California Supreme Court Oral Argument: October 5, 2010

LIVE BROADCAST: Time TBA on

PRINTED RESOURCE MATERIALS
1.        The Supreme Court of California:  http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/courts/supreme/documents/2007_Supreme_Court_Booklet.pdf
2.           The Internal Operating Practices and Procedures of the Supreme Court:  http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/courts/supreme/documents/iopp07.pdf
3.           A Visitor’s Guide to the California Supreme Court: http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/reference/documents/visguide.pdf
4.           Core Values Of American Constitutional Democracy:  http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/teachers/lessonplans/general/corevalues.html
5.           Important Cases of the Supreme Court History: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/teachers/lessonplans/october01/supremecourt/historycases.html
6.           Historic Supreme Court Decisions- By Topic:  http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/cases/topic.htm
7.           Case Summaries: 
8.           Alignment to History-Social Science Content Standards: http://www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/ss/documents/histsocscistnd.pdf
9.           What to expect at an oral argument: http://wwwstatic.kern.org/gems/cisocialScience/WhattoExpectatOralArg.pdf
10.       Case #1 Study Guide and Background Materials:
11.       Case #2 Study Guide and Background Materials:
12.       Case #3 Study Guide and Background Materials:
13.       Case #4 Study Guide and Background Materials:
14.       Case #5 Study Guide and Background Materials:
15.       Flow Chart: Civil Appeal Process: http://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/LEA/EA/Enchiridion/AppealProc.htm or http://wwwstatic.kern.org/gems/cisocialScience/FlowChartCivilAppeal.pdf
16.       Flow Chart: Criminal Appeal Process:  http://www.fsu.edu/~crimdo/cj-flowchart.html or http://wwwstatic.kern.org/gems/cisocialScience/FlowChartCriminalAppeal.pdf
17.       Glossary of General Terms: http://wwwstatic.kern.org/gems/cisocialScience/glossaryoflegalterms.pdf
18.    

LESSON PLANS    
 1.     How the Supreme Court Affects the Lives of Teens: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/teachers/lessonplans/october01/supremecourt/
 2.       How History Affects Supreme Court Decisions & Supreme Court Decisions Affect History: A Look at the Fourteenth Amendment: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/supremecourt/educators/lp2.html
 3.       Balancing Federal and State Authority: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/supremecourt/educators/lp1.html
 4.       With Liberty and Justice for All: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/supremecourt/educators/lp3.html
 5.       The Power and Importance of Precedent in the Decisions of the Supreme Court: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/supremecourt/educators/lp4.html

RELATED VIDEO RESOURCES
1.      “The Justices of the California Supreme Court”: mms://wms.1A57.edgecastcdn.net/001A57/eop/inside_sct_a.wmv    
2.       “Inside the California Supreme Court”: mms://wms.1A57.edgecastcdn.net/001A57/eop/inside_sct.wmv
3.      The Supreme Court-Video Series: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/supremecourt/index.html

 RELATED ONLINE RESOURCES  
 1.      US Supreme Court: http://www.supremecourt.gov
 2.      US Supreme Court: Visitors Guide to Oral Arguments:  http://www.supremecourt.gov/visiting/visitorsguidetooralargument.aspx
 3.      Rules of the Supreme Court: http://www.supremecourt.gov/ctrules/2010RulesoftheCourt.pdf
 4.      Constitution of the United States: http://www.archives.gov/historical-docs/document.html?doc=3

Students have authentic opportunities to further their education in culture, history/social science, and related core subjects by delivering speeches, writing essays, and/or creating works of art.  The events culminate with an art reception and program to honor the students and their work.  The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Committee joins Fresno County Office of Education in co-sponsoring the events, which will be held at the Fresno County Office of Education this year.  

MLK Art Contest
All school districts are encouraged to have their students, grades K-12, participate in the celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day by using a visual medium to express Dr. King's ideas.  The integration of art and history not only helps students apply and retain their knowledge of history but also offers students with different learning styles an opportunity to succeed.  Each school site may submit a maximum of 8 pieces of student work.  Each participant will receive a certificate.  Those judged Superior, Excellent and Honorable Mention will receive ribbons.  Art work will be exhibited at the Fresno County Office of Education lobby February 1-24, 2011.

MLK Speech Contest
Students in grades 4-12 are encouraged to write and deliver an original speech, addressing the theme of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. contests.  Each school site can submit 3 finalists per category for the FCOE contest.  Speeches will be presented at  FCOE on January 27, 2011, in front of a panel of judges who will select the winning speech from each grade category (4-6; 7-8; 9-12).  The winning speakers will deliver their speeches at the Art Reception and Open House on February 10, 2011, and will be awarded a $100 savings bond.

MLK Essay Contest
All Fresno County students in grades 4-12 are eligible and encouraged to compete.  Each school site can submit 3 finalists per category for final judging.  A writing prompt will be made available and essays will be scored on a rubric, with consideration given to content and connection to theme. Length of essays must be 100-300 words for grades 4-6, 300-500 words for grades 7-8, and 500-1000 words for grades 9-12.  All essays and student information must be uploaded online.  The winning essayist in each category will receive a gift certificate, and the essay  may be displayed at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Art Reception and Open House on February 11, 2010.

ONLINE STUDENT REGISTRATION (available December, 2010)

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Unity Committee Website
MLK Community Events Flyer (coming soon)

DOWNLOADABLE FORMS   
MLK Contests Flyer (pdf) (Look for this in October)
MLK Art Contest Flyer (pdf) (Look for this in October)
MLK Essay Contest Flyer (pdf) (Look for this in October)
MLK Essay Prompt (pdf) (Look for this in October)
MLK Essay Scoring Rubric (pdf) 
MLK Speech Contest Flyer (pdf) (Look for this in October)
MLK Speech Contest Scoring Criteria (pdf)  
MLK Consent Form  

VIEW VIDEO (Windows Media Player)

2010 MLK Essay Winners (pdf)

2010 MLK Speech Winners (pdf)

2010 MLK Art Results (pdf)

The Mock Trial is a simulation of an original criminal court case with high school students playing the courtroom roles.  The Mock Trial is designed to demystify the workings of our legal institutions for young people.  Students will be given a court case that incorporates roles of various abilities.  Teams of high school students will present the case in the courtrooms of the Fresno County Courthouse before presiding judges and attorneys who evaluate each team’s performance.  All Fresno County high schools are invited to participate in the competition.

The competition’s format is round robin with each team randomly placed in a pool.  The winner from each pool is then eligible for the semi-final and final rounds.  Team sponsors will draw for both their pool and competitors at the September coaches meeting.  Each team is guaranteed four rounds, two as the prosecution and two as the defense.  Important dates:

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

On behalf of the Fresno County Office of Education, we would like to thank you for your generous donations.  Your donations make it possible for the Fresno County Mock Trial competition to be effective and run smoothly.  Mock Trial is only possible because of thoughtful contributions from organizations like yours.  We hope for your continued support in the future to ensure the success of our program.  

Your donations are appreciated and we want to make sure you get recognized for your sponsorship.  Please look for your name in the program for our annual Mock Trial Awards Ceremony.

VOLUNTEER SCORING ATTORNEYS NEEDED

Are you an attorney?  Would you be interested in volunteering one night (or more) to score one of our Fresno County Mock Trial Competitions?  This year we have twenty teams (20) from around Fresno County who are taking part in this challenging and valuable event.  Of course, Mock Trial cannot take place without the successful partnerships between our judges, attorneys, students, schools, and coaches.  We do understand how busy everyone is and we sincerely appreciate your taking time to consider being a part of this educational event. 

The estimated time commitment for this event would be approximately one hour to review the case booklet and the judges’ rule book, and one (or more) evening from 5:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. at the Superior Courthouse.

If you are interested, please fill out the Volunteer Scoring Attorney form and return it via fax to (559) 443-4860 or email to hsandoval@fcoe.org, or lsibel@fcoe.org. 

Volunteer Scoring Attorney Form fillable (pdf)

Please help us spread the word about this exciting educational event and share this form with your colleagues!

CONTACTS
For Registration:    Hilda Sandoval                       (559) 265-3098 ext. 3284           hsandoval@fcoe.org
                                   Linda Sibel                              (559) 497-3710                            lsibel@fcoe.org
For Information:      Sue Baloian                             (559) 265-3098 ext. 3192          sbaloian@fcoe.org
                                  Jim Lloyd, Fresno Unified      (559) 248-7196                           jim.lloyd@fresnounified.org

DOWNLOADABLE FORMS:
Intent Form (pdf)  
Entry Form (pdf)      
Teacher-Coach Agreement Form (pdf)
Student Permission Slip (pdf)
Roster/Code of Ethics (pdf)
Competition Goals and Rules (pdf) 
Competition Schedule (pdf)
Courtroom Artist Contest Rules (pdf)
Courtroom Artist Entry Form (pdf)
Courtroom Journalist Contest Rules (pdf)
Courtroom Journalist Entry Form (pdf)
CRF MT Clerk and Bailiff (pdf)
Parking/Security Information (pdf)
Team Rulebook (pdf)
Errata (pdf)
Outstanding Female Attorney Nomination
Mock Trial Awards Ceremony Program 
                               
VOLUNTEER SCORING ATTORNEYS:
Volunteer Scoring Attorneys fillable (pdf)

Mock Trial State Website
http://www.crf-usa.org

    2010 Mock Trial Winning Team:   Clovis North High School                              

    2010 Mock Trial Runner-Up:   Clovis High School 

    Outstanding Students (pdf)
    Achievement Award Winners (pdf)
    2010 State Finals Winner's list (pdf)
 

    2009 Mock Trial Winning Team:   Buchanan High School                              

    2009 Mock Trial Runner-Up:   Clovis High School 

    2009 State Mock Trial Finals:  Best Prosecution Attorney, Anoll Kang,  Buchanan High School

    Outstanding Students (pdf)
    Achievement Award Winners (pdf)
 

San Joaquin Valley Town Hall is a non-profit organization managed by an all-volunteer board of directors.  Their mission is to bring thought-provoking speakers to the Central Valley who inform, educate, and, yes, even entertain the lecture goers!

RESOURCES
http://valleytownhall.com/

DOWNLOADABLE DOCUMENTS
Flyer (pdf)