Social Studies Resources Connect to Portrait of a Graduate

By Sherry David, Social Studies Departmental Learning Leader

GCISD and Colleyville Middle School’s goals include molding each and every learner who pass through our halls into the Portrait of a Graduate.  Growing self-regulated learners, skilled problems solvers, effective communicators, collaborators, and global citizens are the reasons we do what we do!  However, up-to-date, relevant, and digital resources are a necessity.  

After 13 long years, the State of Texas and GCISD finally have new Social Studies textbooks!  We are excited about the new resources available to our students that not only give our students up to date information, but help us grow the necessary skills of  the Portrait of a Graduate.

While each class has a class set of textbooks, all students were issued a personal on-line version of their text complete with maps, graphs, charts, videos, music, and reading passages.  This online version gives students unlimited access to study materials, primary sources, practice quizzes, and more.  Navigating any online resource can be tricky, so we thought we would help out.  

To navigate the online textbook, utilize this link

http://connected.mcgraw-hill.com/connected/login.do

Student usernames are the first three letters of the last name and the last four digits of their ID.  Their password will be the same (first three letters of the last name and the last four digits of their ID).  Example:  Username: BEN3457  Password:  BEN3457

Once the student has logged in, they will find their specific grade level textbook.

Once they access their textbook, students can choose the proper chapter and lesson assigned.  Teachers have the ability to make assignments through the online resource and students have the ability to complete unit assignments, save their work, and turn it in.  Students will see on this screen any assignments that have been made by their teacher to the right (blue) or messages from the teacher below (yellow).

Once in the proper chapter and lesson, students will find a wide variety of resources to utilize in their learning including videos, readings, maps, graphs and charts.  

There are interactive learning tools, games, and self assessment tools for every lesson.

Students can save their work and teachers may assign an entire class or just specific students learning opportunities.

The Social Studies department is excited about our new technology based textbooks and value the readily available resources for every student.  This is just one more way we, at GCISD and CMS, are growing the Portrait of a Graduate.