One professional social studies organization that I have found very useful is the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS). The services that this organization provides are many and are aimed at providing leadership, service, and support for all social studies educators. NCSS provides or has conferences and meetings, professional development, publications, social studies advocacy, and many classroom resources. The professional development that they offer include: summer professional development workshops, powerful and authentic social studies (Pass), and state and local conferences. I will definately join this organization. I would also like to attend their conference this year in Atlanta if I am able to go. One of my cooperating teachers, who is a United States History teacher, belongs to this organization. I get to see and use many of the resources that NCSS sends him on a regular bases. On the first week of the semester NCSS sent a packet with student surverys and quizzes. These quizzes were designed to determine students interest in and knowledge of social studies. Another set of surverys were designed to help students think about their future and college. NCSS provided a pre-paid enveloped to send the quizzes back and analyzed them at no charge. So, I believe that there are many resources that are useful for my student teaching and future teaching. These quizzes allowed me to see what areas to focus on in social studies.