Scott Abbott
@scotteabbott.bsky.social
Assistant Director, @DECivics.bsky.social @udelaware.bsky.social, former #Socialstudies Director @dcpublicschools.bsky.social, #civics teacher #democracy defender, opinions my own
Highly useful new infographic on #NewsLiteracy from the latest issue of @udelaware.bsky.social magazine w/specific & helpful advice and shout outs to @newslit.org, @allsidesnow.bsky.social, @politifact.bsky.social, @netflix.com Smart ideas for savvy consumers of media given our wild info landscape.
October 23, 2025 at 11:07 AM
Highly useful new infographic on #NewsLiteracy from the latest issue of @udelaware.bsky.social magazine w/specific & helpful advice and shout outs to @newslit.org, @allsidesnow.bsky.social, @politifact.bsky.social, @netflix.com Smart ideas for savvy consumers of media given our wild info landscape.
“These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.” – Thomas Paine, The American Crisis (Dec. 23, 1776)
October 18, 2025 at 2:35 PM
“These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.” – Thomas Paine, The American Crisis (Dec. 23, 1776)
“When democracy deteriorates, you need more and better civic education. If there is a pandemic, you need to send in the nurses and the doctors. It’s the same thing with a democracy crisis — civic educators are the nurses.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/07/w...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/07/w...
Civics Education Struggles, Even as Government and Politics Saturate Daily Life
www.nytimes.com
October 12, 2025 at 10:00 PM
“When democracy deteriorates, you need more and better civic education. If there is a pandemic, you need to send in the nurses and the doctors. It’s the same thing with a democracy crisis — civic educators are the nurses.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/07/w...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/07/w...
During @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social Book Banning Week, it’s important to remember the 1st Amendment prevents the government from regulating or restricting speech or other expression based on its content or viewpoint. www.ala.org/bbooks
October 6, 2025 at 11:04 AM
During @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social Book Banning Week, it’s important to remember the 1st Amendment prevents the government from regulating or restricting speech or other expression based on its content or viewpoint. www.ala.org/bbooks
“The Constitution belongs to you in all its complexity. You inherit both its promises and its unfinished business. Register if you can. Learn your rights. Ask hard questions about power. And then act…”
wordinblack.com/2025/09/teac...
wordinblack.com/2025/09/teac...
Teaching the Constitution — Truthfully — From a D.C. Classroom
In a city without full representation, Dr. Shelina Warren teaches students the Constitution is theirs — both its promises and its flaws.
wordinblack.com
September 22, 2025 at 8:55 PM
“The Constitution belongs to you in all its complexity. You inherit both its promises and its unfinished business. Register if you can. Learn your rights. Ask hard questions about power. And then act…”
wordinblack.com/2025/09/teac...
wordinblack.com/2025/09/teac...
Attention social studies educators: The Middle States Council for the Social Studies call for proposals is now open for the Feb 27-28 #MSCSS26 conference in Newark DE, submissions are due by Oct. 17th. Submit your proposal today! sites.google.com/view/mscss20... #sschat
September 13, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Attention social studies educators: The Middle States Council for the Social Studies call for proposals is now open for the Feb 27-28 #MSCSS26 conference in Newark DE, submissions are due by Oct. 17th. Submit your proposal today! sites.google.com/view/mscss20... #sschat
The 2026 Middle States Social Studies Conference is gearing up for Feb 27-28, 2026 in Newark DE. We’re looking for awesome session proposals, exhibitors, and award nominees. Register now and check out other details here: sites.google.com/view/mscss20... #MSCSS26
August 30, 2025 at 3:50 PM
The 2026 Middle States Social Studies Conference is gearing up for Feb 27-28, 2026 in Newark DE. We’re looking for awesome session proposals, exhibitors, and award nominees. Register now and check out other details here: sites.google.com/view/mscss20... #MSCSS26
🎉 20 Delaware civics teachers assembled for a powerful day of learning, laughter, & collaboration at our We the People institute! From candy bar hearings 🍫 to improv games ⚡️, we explored how to help students speak, listen, & engage like citizens using WTP & DE model lessons. @decivics.bsky.social
August 8, 2025 at 2:01 PM
🎉 20 Delaware civics teachers assembled for a powerful day of learning, laughter, & collaboration at our We the People institute! From candy bar hearings 🍫 to improv games ⚡️, we explored how to help students speak, listen, & engage like citizens using WTP & DE model lessons. @decivics.bsky.social
🇺🇸 25 years strong! The Democracy Project at @udelaware.bsky.social is still shaping the future, 1 civics teacher at a time. From Dover to D.C. to Philly, this year’s @decivics.bsky.social institute empowered educators to spark civic participation with students. #sschat
www.udel.edu/academics/co...
www.udel.edu/academics/co...
UD's Delaware Center for Civics Education Celebrates Its 25th Anniversary | IPA | Biden School | University of Delaware
The University of Delaware's Center for Civics Education celebrated the Democracy Project Summer Institute's 25th anniversary by traveling to historical sites and landmarks from Dover to Philly and Wa...
www.udel.edu
August 5, 2025 at 11:35 AM
🇺🇸 25 years strong! The Democracy Project at @udelaware.bsky.social is still shaping the future, 1 civics teacher at a time. From Dover to D.C. to Philly, this year’s @decivics.bsky.social institute empowered educators to spark civic participation with students. #sschat
www.udel.edu/academics/co...
www.udel.edu/academics/co...
Frederick Douglass’ words are well-worth a reread this #4thofJuly “Oppression makes a wise man mad…With brave men there is always a remedy for oppression.” #sschat
www.blackpast.org/african-amer...
www.blackpast.org/african-amer...
(1852) Frederick Douglass, "What, To The Slave, Is The Fourth Of July"
Explore the speech "What, To The Slave, Is The Fourth Of July" delivered by Frederick Douglass in 1852, including full text and historical context.
www.blackpast.org
July 4, 2025 at 12:15 PM
Frederick Douglass’ words are well-worth a reread this #4thofJuly “Oppression makes a wise man mad…With brave men there is always a remedy for oppression.” #sschat
www.blackpast.org/african-amer...
www.blackpast.org/african-amer...
“There’s a lot of evidence that having knowledge about the world is important for reading comprehension…Students who have broader bases of knowledge about the natural & social world do better on reading assessments, even when controlling for other things.” #sschat www.edweek.org/teaching-lea...
Middle Schools Often Prioritize English and Math Over Other Subjects. Should They?
An Illinois district is equalizing time across the four major content areas. But the decision comes with trade-offs.
www.edweek.org
June 18, 2025 at 10:45 AM
“There’s a lot of evidence that having knowledge about the world is important for reading comprehension…Students who have broader bases of knowledge about the natural & social world do better on reading assessments, even when controlling for other things.” #sschat www.edweek.org/teaching-lea...
The full agenda is now posted, check it out here: www.socialstudies.org/2025svcagenda
May 30, 2025 at 1:08 PM
The full agenda is now posted, check it out here: www.socialstudies.org/2025svcagenda
Registration open for the #NCSS Virtual Conference June 25-26 focusing on Civil Discourse. Save the date for June 25th at 1pm EDT for my session w/Tim Shaffer - Mic Drop or Open Mind: Practicing Civil Discourse in the Classroom #sschat
www.socialstudies.org/svc2025
www.socialstudies.org/svc2025
2025 NCSS Summer Virtual Conference
Wednesday, June 25 - Thursday, June 26, 2025 The Power of Civil Discourse: Fostering Empathy and Understanding in the Classroom
www.socialstudies.org
May 25, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Registration open for the #NCSS Virtual Conference June 25-26 focusing on Civil Discourse. Save the date for June 25th at 1pm EDT for my session w/Tim Shaffer - Mic Drop or Open Mind: Practicing Civil Discourse in the Classroom #sschat
www.socialstudies.org/svc2025
www.socialstudies.org/svc2025
The #Delaware House takes steps to enshrine early voting, vote by mail, and the restoration of voting rights for felons who have served their time. Expanding voting rights aligns with the principle of majority rule, crucial for our democratic republic. www.delawareonline.com/story/news/p...
Delaware lawmakers push for felon voting rights, early voting rules with these bills
Delaware's rules around early voting and the rights of felons to vote are debated by a legislative committee. Here's where they stand.
www.delawareonline.com
May 22, 2025 at 10:10 AM
The #Delaware House takes steps to enshrine early voting, vote by mail, and the restoration of voting rights for felons who have served their time. Expanding voting rights aligns with the principle of majority rule, crucial for our democratic republic. www.delawareonline.com/story/news/p...
As someone who has worked on/with state social studies standards for many states, this is among the most egregious examples of conspiracy thinking to make it into state SS standards I have ever seen, and through a clearly duplicitous process. 1/2 #sschat www.oudaily.com/news/oklahom...
State education board members say they were unaware of social studies standards changes before vote
OKLAHOMA CITY — Three members of the Oklahoma State Board of Education said they weren’t aware of last-minute rewrites before they voted on proposed academic standards for social studies classes
www.oudaily.com
May 2, 2025 at 10:31 PM
As someone who has worked on/with state social studies standards for many states, this is among the most egregious examples of conspiracy thinking to make it into state SS standards I have ever seen, and through a clearly duplicitous process. 1/2 #sschat www.oudaily.com/news/oklahom...
Reposted by Scott Abbott
Old North Church in Boston last night on the 250th anniversary of Paul Revere's ride.
April 18, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Old North Church in Boston last night on the 250th anniversary of Paul Revere's ride.
Enjoying the new book from my friends @madisonteacher.bsky.social & @glennwiebe.bsky.social, which reads like conversations I’ve had with them about social studies but is chock full of practical strategies for engaging & effective social studies instruction #sschat www.corwin.com/books/social...
April 13, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Enjoying the new book from my friends @madisonteacher.bsky.social & @glennwiebe.bsky.social, which reads like conversations I’ve had with them about social studies but is chock full of practical strategies for engaging & effective social studies instruction #sschat www.corwin.com/books/social...
“In social studies—a subject to which schools have historically given short shrift in favor of devoting time and resources to math and reading—the loss of these kinds of supplemental resources and programs may take an especially big toll.” #sschat
www.edweek.org/teaching-lea...
www.edweek.org/teaching-lea...
What National Endowment for the Humanities Cuts Could Mean for Social Studies Teachers
The agency made grants for professional development and supported nationwide history education programs. Now these offerings may disappear.
www.edweek.org
April 12, 2025 at 10:51 PM
“In social studies—a subject to which schools have historically given short shrift in favor of devoting time and resources to math and reading—the loss of these kinds of supplemental resources and programs may take an especially big toll.” #sschat
www.edweek.org/teaching-lea...
www.edweek.org/teaching-lea...
Reposted by Scott Abbott
Historian here:
“To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.”
― Theodore Roosevelt
“To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.”
― Theodore Roosevelt
March 10, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Historian here:
“To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.”
― Theodore Roosevelt
“To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.”
― Theodore Roosevelt
Taught my 13th graders this week how the U.S. Constitution separates power to prevent tyranny and how the 1st Amendment protects free speech & peaceable assembly to petition the government. Also finished Timothy Snyder’s On Tyranny w/ lesson 10 on the need for in-person action. #HandsOff
April 5, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Taught my 13th graders this week how the U.S. Constitution separates power to prevent tyranny and how the 1st Amendment protects free speech & peaceable assembly to petition the government. Also finished Timothy Snyder’s On Tyranny w/ lesson 10 on the need for in-person action. #HandsOff
Glad to see this action from Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings, and many other AGs from around the country. The rule of law is foundational to our democracy.
INBOX: In an open letter to the country’s 100 largest law firms, Delaware AG Kathy Jennings and a coalition of 21 attorneys general calls on the legal community to resist attempts at bullying or retribution and to uphold the values of their profession.
Full letter:
news.delaware.gov/files/2025/0...
Full letter:
news.delaware.gov/files/2025/0...
March 29, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Glad to see this action from Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings, and many other AGs from around the country. The rule of law is foundational to our democracy.
Etymology of State Names from @locations.bsky.social, very interesting! #sschat
March 20, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Etymology of State Names from @locations.bsky.social, very interesting! #sschat
Need to discuss pardons with your students? Check out the always well-balanced Civics in Real Life on Presidential Pardons put out by @loufreyfjcc.bsky.social a few months ago. #sschat floridacitizen.org/wp-content/u...
March 17, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Need to discuss pardons with your students? Check out the always well-balanced Civics in Real Life on Presidential Pardons put out by @loufreyfjcc.bsky.social a few months ago. #sschat floridacitizen.org/wp-content/u...