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Darren Minarik

@captminarika.bsky.social
1.8K followers 1.6K following 205 posts

Civic Education and Disability Rights Advocate, DRA Advisory Board Member, SIM Professional Developer, Speaker, Radford University Teacher Educator #EduSky #ITeachSocialStudies #SSChat #SpecialEducation #DisabilityInclusion #EduCoach

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Reposted by Darren Minarik
historypod.bsky.social @historypod.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
#OTD 12th June 1987: Ronald Reagan calls on Mikhail Gorbachev to ‘Tear down this wall!’ www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8i5T4NvQgM #historyteacher #sschat
historypod.net
HistoryPod
The daily history podcast
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Darren Minarik @captminarika.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
I am a proud Auburn alum. This is horrible and I hope action is taken against this action. This is a blatant atrack on faculty shared governance and it should alarm all accreditors. www.al.com/news/2026/06...
al.com
Auburn professors say university dissolving faculty senate is an ‘attack on our voices’
Auburn also created a syllabus database and new civics courses for undergraduates.
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Reposted by Darren Minarik
Joanne Fuchs 🗺🍎 @geojo22.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
Thanks, Larry. #sschat #iteachsocialstudies
larryferlazzo.edublogs.org
The Tulsa Race Massacre Happened 106 Years Today – Here Are Teaching & Learning Resources
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture   The terrible Tulsa Race Massacre happened 106 years ago today. You might be interested in MAY 31ST &…
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Darren Minarik @captminarika.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
The current administration is attempting to rewrite the historical record of January 6, 2021. It needs to be kept alive through social media so that future generations can be educated about this attack on our democracy. Here is an archive kept by NPR. apps.npr.org/jan-6-archiv... #SSChat
apps.npr.org
Jan. 6 Archive: The Capitol Charges
NPR tracked 1,575 criminal cases stemming from the events of Jan. 6, 2021. The database also provides publicly accessible — and searchable — information, including, in hundreds of cases, video evidenc...
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Elizabeth C. Hamblet, LD Advisory @echamblet.bsky.social · 03/05/2026
When some students see colleges' lists of disability accommodations, they see them as "shopping lists" from which they can choose what they want. That's not how things work. I explain here: bit.ly/LDBlog142x #LearningDisabilities #ADHD #dyslexia, #SpecialEd #IEP #EduSky
 "...[understand] that these accommodations are widely approved, but that doesn’t guarantee that every student who requests them will be approved for each one." Don’t Make Assumptions From Online College Accommodation Lists for LD and ADHD. @ld_advisory.Post title is "Don’t Make Assumptions From Online College Accommodation Lists for LD and ADHD." Read it on Ldadvisory.com
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Darren Minarik @captminarika.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
Please consider donating to Disability Rights Advocates to support their important work. I serve as a member of their advisory board and my goal is to raise at least $1000 for DRA. dralegal.org/campaign/fue... #SpecialEducation #DisabilityInclusion #DisabilityRights
dralegal.org
Blog - Disability Rights Advocates
Create your own fundraising page on behalf of DRA!
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Reposted by Darren Minarik
Cheryl Jindeel @cheryljindeel.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
❤️ Love seeing social studies teachers get this kind of recognition. Stories like this remind people our classrooms go beyond content. We’re building critical thinking, empathy, and civic understanding daily. We may not always get the spotlight, but this work matters. #sschat
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Darren Minarik @captminarika.bsky.social · 16/04/2026
radfordnewsjournal.com/radford-stud...
radfordnewsjournal.com
Radford students head to state history competition after Radford U event
RADFORD - A group of students from Radford City Public Schools are heading to a state history competition after their performance at the recent regional event held at Radford University. Since 1996, R...
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The History & Civics Project @ UC Santa Cruz @hcp-ucsc.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
Good clear explanation starting w Constitutional text and including primary & secondary evidence-help your students understand the 14th Amendment & #birthrightcitizenship From @marthasjones.bsky.social and @katemasur.bsky.social 🎁 #sschat #civics #teachinghistory www.nytimes.com/2026/03/30/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | Trump Says Birthright Citizenship Was Only for the Children of Slaves. He’s Wrong.
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Joanne Fuchs 🗺🍎 @geojo22.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
#sschat #edusky
larryferlazzo.edublogs.org
March 25th Is “International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade” – Here Are Teaching Resources
The United Nations has declared March 25th to be the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade. You might be interested in USEFUL RESOURCES…
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PBS News Classroom @pbsnewsclassroom.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
NEW @pbsnews.org Classroom Short — Hear why the U.S.'s top counter-terrorism official resigned and discuss public opinion on the Trump administration's strategy in Iran. #sschat #EDUSky loom.ly/xJZmD88
pbs.org
Trump’s top counterterrorism official resigns over Iran
Joe Kent, the director of the National Counterterrorism Center, resigned Tuesday, saying he “cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran.”
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Diana Laufenberg @dlaufenberg.bsky.social · 09/03/2026
I was just thinking about this the other day... #sschat
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National Council for the Social Studies @socialstudies.org · 05/03/2026
Get ready for #CivicLearningWeek March 9–13! This page houses open-access, ready-to-use NCSS resources on civil discourse, constitutional inquiry, political polarization, and culturally responsive civic engagement: hubs.li/Q0431ByK0 #edusky
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PBS News Classroom @pbsnewsclassroom.bsky.social · 28/02/2026
Join us for #CivicLearningWeek!💫 Plus a chance for a copy of Tim Smyth's @historycomics.bsky.social book "Teaching w/ Comics & Graphic Novels" ---> in this case, the Constitution!!📜 RSVP: bit.ly/PBS-CivicLearningWeek | #apgov #apush #civics
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PBS News Classroom @pbsnewsclassroom.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
PBS News @pbsnews.org Classroom Daily News Lesson: As America turns 250, historian Joseph Ellis examines the founders’ promise & their failures Ask students: What does it mean to be an American / live in America today? #sschat #America250 loom.ly/FTdHxj4
pbs.org
As America turns 250, historian Joseph Ellis examines the founders’ promise and their failures
Learn more why Ellis describes slavery and the treatment of Native Americans as great contradictions in American history
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Darren Minarik @captminarika.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
We need to do a better job teaching media literacy and helping students understand media ethics in our social studies classrooms. #SSChat
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Christopher Martell @chrismartell.bsky.social · 26/02/2026
Social studies teachers: How are you approaching U.S. authoritarianism in your classrooms? Are there discussions about ways to save democracy? What are the reactions of your students? Here is an article with some recent international examples that may be helpful for your students. #sschat #edusky
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Darren Minarik @captminarika.bsky.social · 14/02/2026
A great story to share with students during Black History Month on President’s Day. youtu.be/VAxx5UzKqPA #SSChat #EduSky
youtu.be
Black and Blue Trailer
YouTube video by Brian Kruger
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historypod.bsky.social @historypod.bsky.social · 01/02/2026
#OnThisDay 1st February 1960: Start of the Greensboro sit-ins to protest segregation youtu.be/tjeVqNcN5yI #history#OTD 1st February 1960: Start of the Greensboro sit-ins to protest segregation youtu.be/tjeVqNcN5yI #historyteacher #sschat
historypod.net
HistoryPod
The daily history podcast
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Wendy Rouse @wendylrouse.bsky.social · 29/01/2026
Teach critical analysis of propaganda. #sschat
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The History & Civics Project @ UC Santa Cruz @hcp-ucsc.bsky.social · 29/01/2026
This looks so good! Saturday, Jan 31. #sschat
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Victoria Crooks @victoriacrooks.bsky.social · 14/01/2026
🚨NEW BLOG🚨 #EduSky #UKEd #Teacher uonhistoryteachertraining.school.blog/2026/01/13/a...
uonhistoryteachertraining.school.blog
A little bit of a panic: keeping calm to make in-lesson adaptations in the classroom
Photo by Anna Tarazevich on Pexels.com Yesterday, I had a little bit of a crisis while I was on a tight deadline leaving work to make the school run.  It had just started to rain and there I was, s…
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David Cutler @teachercutler.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
I just published Mainstream Media Mourns the Post-Gazette, but Looks Away as Student Journalists are Silenced medium.com/age-of-aware... #media #journalism @bostonglobe.com @washingtonpost.com @columjournreview.bsky.social #edchat #sschat #studentvoice
medium.com
Mainstream Media Mourns the Post-Gazette, but Looks Away as Student Journalists are Silenced
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, which traces its roots to 1786, will close May 3, 2026. That news lands like a gut punch. A once-venerable…
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Wendy Rouse @wendylrouse.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
Educators: This is a useful news story for teaching about the Trump administration's use of White supremacist propaganda. #sschat 🗺️ 🍎 🗃️ www.pbs.org/newshour/sho...
pbs.org
Trump administration's posts echo rhetoric linked to extremist groups
Just weeks into the new year, the Trump administration has rolled out a campaign across departments that draws on images and ideas borrowed from right-wing and white nationalist circles. Liz Landers r...
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mattneil.bsky.social @mattneil.bsky.social · 11/01/2026
Re-upping this on the Legislative Branch #sschat Contributions from: @cdabvt.bsky.social @reallymrst.bsky.social @swanversations.bsky.social @mapm8ker.bsky.social @gplastrik.bsky.social @samulmschneider.bsky.social @mrnfhaines.bsky.social @altairamorbius.bsky.social @miladyfirestorm.bsky.social
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PBS News Classroom @pbsnewsclassroom.bsky.social · 04/01/2026
PBS News Hour Classroom Educator Voice: Teachers, if we don’t teach Maduro’s capture in Venezuela, TikTok will. Here’s my plan. "If you teach any subject touching on power and law, this is your curriculum. Not next week. Tomorrow." by David Cutler, teacher #sschat #EduSky loom.ly/hUkl28E
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PBS News Classroom @pbsnewsclassroom.bsky.social · 05/01/2026
PBS News Hour Classroom Daily News Lesson: Trump says U.S. will ‘run’ Venezuela after capturing Maduro in surprise military attack Ask students: Why did the U.S. attacked Venezuela? Do you think one country has the right to attack another sovereign nation? Explain. #sschat loom.ly/8NYxhaw
pbs.org
Trump says U.S. will ‘run’ Venezuela after capturing Maduro in surprise military attack
Discuss the strike and implications for Venezuelans and global security
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Reposted by Darren Minarik
Christopher Martell @chrismartell.bsky.social · 05/01/2026
It has been five years since the January 6th Insurrection. Here is a post that I wrote years ago on how to teach it. Even more important to teach today, especially when the current administration is attempting to erase this history. #sschat #edusky christophermartell.blogspot.com/2021/07/teac...
christophermartell.blogspot.com
Teaching About the Capitol Insurrection
Above: Images from January 6, 2021, when a group of people participated in an organized insurrection of the U.S. Capitol with the goal of o...
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Peter Pappas @pappas.bsky.social · 06/01/2026
Trump’s Venezuela stunt feels like the kind of “easy victory” thinking that turns into a long mess. Here's a classroom-safe lesson using LOC political cartoons on U.S. imperialism. Students compare the arguments to today. peterpappas.com/2026/01/the-... #EduSky #history #sschat
Color political cartoon from Judge titled "A Thing Well Begun Is Half Done." A caricature of President William McKinley stands on a map of North and Central America, using a shovel like a spade to dig a canal across the isthmus between the Atlantic and the Pacific. U.S.-flagged ships crowd both coasts, and American flags mark places like Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines. In the background, Uncle Sam stands near the U.S. Capitol carrying tools and a flag, implying Washington is backing the project as part of national expansion.
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Darren Minarik @captminarika.bsky.social · 06/01/2026
A great resource for teaching about January 6, 2021. #SSChat #EduSky apps.npr.org/jan-6-archive/
apps.npr.org
Jan. 6, 2021: A visual archive of the Capitol attack
NPR’s Jan. 6 archive brings together reporting, video, documents and testimony to show what really happened during the Capitol riot. Explore the timeline, cases and evidence behind the attack.
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Reposted by Darren Minarik
mattneil.bsky.social @mattneil.bsky.social · 20/12/2025
Here’s the first question for our slow chat. This will go through next week.As we head into the new year, many student teachers are beginning their teaching journeys. What advice would you give to a pre-service teacher for their student teaching experience? #sschat
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Wendy Rouse @wendylrouse.bsky.social · 29/12/2025
I'm curious history educators, what's your course GenAI policy? Please specify the level you are teaching (high school or university). 🗺️🍎 🗃️ #sschat
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L.McFarren @lauramcfarren.bsky.social · 24/11/2025
Who isn’t signed up yet ? #sschat #elachat 🍎🗺️
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Edutopia @edutopia.org · 03/12/2025
If your students need a boost, try these movement-based activities to help bring history to life! 📜🏃 #sschat #ITeachSocialStudies #HistoryEducation #EduSky
edut.to
5 Movement-Based Social Studies Activities
Introducing movement into lessons can help students maintain focus and attention and boost engagement in learning.
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Joanne Freeman @jbf1755.bsky.social · 05/12/2025
Many of you asked me to tell you when my episode of Jon Stewart’s Weekly Show aired. Here you go.
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Linda Monk @lindarmonkjd.bsky.social · 11/12/2025
#sschat
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Darren Minarik @captminarika.bsky.social · 06/12/2025
Great new book published by NCSS and a chapter on working with students with IEPs! A Classroom with Purpose: A Guide to Teaching Social Studies #NCSS2025 #EduSky #ITeachSocialStudies #SSChat #SpecialEducation #DisabilityInclusion
Book cover of A Classroom with Purpose: A Guide to Teaching Social StudiesA picture of Chapter 8, Being the Best Social Studies Teacher for Students with IEPs
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Darren Minarik @captminarika.bsky.social · 06/12/2025
Amazing time with our presentation, Building Democracy from the Ground Up in Our Government Classrooms. My friends Jerry Skotleski and Sean Curry (Scranton High School) rocked the house and I went along for the ride! #SSChat #NCSS2025
Audience during Building Democracy from the Ground Up in Our GovernmentAudience taking notes during Building Democracy from the Ground Up in Our GovernmentA handout showing how to plan a government class starting at the local level up to the federal level, the Bottom Up Teaching Technique.
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Edward T. O'Donnell, Historian-at-Large @inthepastlane.bsky.social · 11/11/2025
Virginia social studies leaders warn proposed testing shift could sideline critical thinking Educators say state plan risks replacing inquiry-based assessments with multiple-choice exams virginiamercury.com/2025/11/10/v... #ushistory #sschat #socialstudies #historyteacher
virginiamercury.com
Virginia social studies leaders warn proposed testing shift could sideline critical thinking • Virginia Mercury
Some Virginia social studies leaders are sounding the alarm over a proposed change to how student performance in history and social science is measured, warning it could swap critical-thinking assessm...
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Darren Minarik @captminarika.bsky.social · 03/11/2025
We submitted a resolution to the House of Delegates asking NCSS to issue a position statement supporting the full academic, social, emotional, and physical inclusion of students with disabilities, and that disability history be included more in social studies curricula. bit.ly/NCSS-Inclusive #SSChat
bit.ly
Inclusive Social Studies SWDs Resolution Proposal to the NCSS House of Delegates.pdf
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National Council for the Social Studies @socialstudies.org · 21/10/2025
We’re honored to welcome @hakeem-jeffries.bsky.social as a keynote speaker at the upcoming 105th NCSS Annual Conference in Washington, D.C. Register now to join us as he shares insights on what democracy demands: hubs.li/Q03Mxdm-0 #NCSS2025 #edusky
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Darren Minarik @captminarika.bsky.social · 03/11/2025
A Wicked Way to Support Inquiry 12/6/25 4:00 pm - 4:55 pm Rm 140B #SSChat #NCSS2025 Explore how to incorporate wicked problems into social studies classrooms by examining how the wicked problem supports Project-Based Learning, the Inquiry Design Model, and other thinking and reasoning methods.
Image from NCSS saying that I’m presenting in Washington DC, December 5-7.
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Darren Minarik @captminarika.bsky.social · 03/11/2025
Teaching With Purpose: Building Meaningful Social Studies Classrooms Today 12/6/25 2:50-3:45 pm Rm 204A #SSChat #NCSS2025 Learn strategies from a new NCSS book to support diverse learners, engage in civic learning, promote inquiry, integrate technology, and sustain authentic purpose in practice.
Image from NCSS saying that I’m presenting in Washington DC, December 5-7.
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Darren Minarik @captminarika.bsky.social · 03/11/2025
Building Democracy from the Ground Up in Our Government Classrooms Dec. 5, 2025 10:10-11:05 am Room 142 #SSChat #NCSS2025 Examine how to teach civics using an experiential inquiry-based local-to-federal approach. Students become informed and engaged at every government level using this approach.
Graphic noting that I’m presenting at NCSS, December 5-7, 2025.
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PBS News Classroom @pbsnewsclassroom.bsky.social · 28/10/2025
Teachers: #socialstudies #historyteacher #sschat #civics #apgov #apush ---> Here's your primary source lesson for #MediaLiteracyWeek✨ Ask students: How important is history in current events? Why does historical context matter in news stories?
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PBS News Classroom @pbsnewsclassroom.bsky.social · 24/10/2025
NEW @pbsnews.org Classroom Daily News Lesson — The Trump administration tore down the East Wing of the White House this week. But what is its history, and what is the history of remaking the executive mansion? #sschat #EDUSky loom.ly/SW5dUWs
pbs.org
East Wing of White House torn down as Trump clears space for his ballroom
Learn of the White House exemption to the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966
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Darren Minarik @captminarika.bsky.social · 24/10/2025
Get your free copy of the SLANT Strategy (Second Edition) and once you've implemented the strategy, get your free Micro-credential. Free copy: shop-kucrl.ku.edu Free credential: badgelist.com/SIM-Learning... sim.ku.edu #strategicinstructionmodel #slantstrategy #teacherresources
shop-kucrl.ku.edu
Strategic Instruction Model (SIM) Online Store
Purchase Strategic Instruction Model (SIM) Learning Strategies, Content Enhancement Routines, and Xtreme Reading published by KUCRL.
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Darren Minarik @captminarika.bsky.social · 18/10/2025
No Kings's event, “NO KINGS NEW River Valley” - sign up now! www.mobilize.us/nokings/even...
mobilize.us
NO KINGS NEW River Valley · No Kings
**In America, we don’t put up with would-be kings.** Our peaceful movement is only getting bigger and stronger. “NO KINGS” is more than just a slogan—it’s the foundation our nation was built upon. Bo...
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Faith Rogow @insightersed.bsky.social · 26/09/2025
An important piece from @lutzfernandez.bsky.social on the MAGA campaign to replace education with propaganda: "...teachers need us to fight for them like we fought for Kimmel..." 🍎 #AcademicSky #TLSky 🧪 #sschat 📚 Too many people outside of schools don't have a clue about what's happening.
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PBS News Classroom @pbsnewsclassroom.bsky.social · 26/09/2025
NEW @pbsnews.org Classroom Daily News Lesson — Meet the citizen historians who are documenting everything in the Smithsonian ahead of a federal review of exhibits. Ask students: who decides what history we remember? #sschat #EDUSky loom.ly/0Ltk8xA
pbs.org
Citizen historians preserve details of Smithsonian exhibits
Learn why some volunteers are documenting exhibits in Smithsonian museums
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