September of Social Studies

Relating the commemoration HB 1501 Relating the commemoration of September 11, 2001 A minute of silence at the beginning of the first class period of that day. A statement of reference to the memory of individuals who died on September 11, 2001. Effective 2013-2014 school year.

Celebrate Freedom Week September 16-20 Constitution Day September 17, 2013

HB 174 The last Friday in September is American Indian Heritage Day in recognition of the historic, cultural, and social contributions American Indian communities and leaders have made on this state.

American Indian Heritage Day shall be regularly observed by appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs in the public schools and other places to honor American Indians in this state and to celebrate the rich traditional and contemporary American Indian culture. When? Annually on the last Friday in September. Effective September 1, 2013. Inappropriate activities may be: Making this a student “dress up” costume day. Calling girls “squaws” and boys “braves” on this day. Focusing on Indian “gore” as presented in biased accounts. Making this a three week “love” unit in a grade level that doesn’t have Social Studies TEKS to appropriately tie this to. 5. Showing movies like Pocahontas, Windtalkers, Thunderheart, or Dances with Wolves as an observance of this day.

September 27, 2013 What resources do you have? National Museum of the American Indian

Distance Learning Opportunities The National WWII Museum – American Indians in WWII The Mariners’ Museum Riding in a Log Canoe

Teaching with Primary Sources Grant $20,000