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<!--StartFragment--><p class="MsoNormal">Hi everyone.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Many of you are aware of the series of Differentiated Visual Tools (DVTs)
programs I’ve been developing for SIM. Unlike the more generic graphic
organizers associated with CERs (e.g., Concept Mastery) designed for use across
all content areas, DVTs are <i class="">discipline-specific</i> graphic organizers designed to
teach <i class="">specific content standards</i> within a subject-area. DVT research indicates
that the discipline-specific DVTs impact students’ depth and breadth of
understanding of the subject significantly greater than generic graphic
organizers (even the Frame!), plus their use significantly reduces teachers’
cognitive load when planning instruction as well as students’ cognitive load
when learning new content.<o:p class=""></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">I’m currently working on a series of <b class="">DVTs specifically designed for
teaching Civics / Government</b>. Each DVT is this project targets a specific civics content standard from National Council for Social Studies (NCSS). Given the crazy election we all just experienced, this seems like a very timely topic! I’ve attached a sample of one of these. I’m currently working with a couple of outstanding educators on this project, but we need additional assistance. Thus, <b class="">I’m looking for individuals with teaching civics/government
expertise who might be interested in collaborating with me and possibly becoming
a published co-author of this program. </b>The collaboration would mostly
involve developing a wide range of samples that illustrate how to use the
Civics DVTs and then later, participating in a field test of the program.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p class=""></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Thus, if you know someone (yourself included) who has some
familiarity with SIM and who has civics expertise, please visit with this
person. If s/he is interested in visiting with me about the project, I
can be contacted at <a href="file://localhost/tel/%2528205%2529%20394-5512" class=""><span style="color:windowtext" class="">(205) 394-5512</span></a> <a href="mailto:edwinellis1@gmail.com" class=""><span style="color:windowtext" class="">edwinellis1@gmail.com</span></a>. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p class=""></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p class=""> </o:p> Thanks,</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p class=""></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p class=""> </o:p>Ed Ellis, Ph.D.</p><div class=""></div></body></html>