Advertise on podcast: The Social Studies Teacher Podcast

In this video, you’ll learn practical ways to strengthen literacy skills through social studies instruction. Discover how reading, writing, and critical thinking strategies can help students better understand complex topics, analyze information, and make meaningful connections to history, geography, and culture. In this video: How to integrate reading and writing into social studies lessonsStrategies for analyzing texts, maps, and primary sourcesWays to encourage evidence-based discussions and written responsesIdeas to promote critical thinking and comprehension across content areas Teaching Tips: Use short nonfiction passages to build content knowledgeIncorporate writing prompts tied to historical or civic themesModel how to cite evidence from social studies textsPair literacy centers with map skills or document analysis activities Resources Mentioned: Download the free week of map skills: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/FREE-Social-Studies-Map-and-Globe-Skills-Cardinal-and-Intermediate-Directions-7994399 Let's Connect! Listen/watch on YouTube Shop TPT Resources Instagram Website Amazon Mentioned in this episode: Black History Month Unit for your Social Studies Curriculum Are you an upper elementary teacher looking to find a quality TEKS- and CCSS-aligned resource that covers important events and figures in black history? Looking for minimal-prep and engaging lessons and activities to teach social studies concepts to your 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students? Look no further! Purchase the Black History Month Unit!

Every classroom is full of unique personalities - and understanding how your students think, learn, and interact can make all the difference. In this video, we’ll explore 9 common student personalities you’re likely to meet in your classroom and share practical tips for supporting each one. From the quiet observer to the natural leader, you’ll walk away with new insights and strategies to help every learner succeed. What you'll learn: Personality 1 - The Perfectionist Personality 2 - The People Pleaser Personality 3 - The Role Model Personality 4 - The Creative Personality 5 - The Thinker Personality 6 - The Skeptic Personality 7 - The Life of the Party Personality 8 - The Go-Getter Personality 9 - The Dreamer Final Thoughts Enneagram Activities for Students Resources Mentioned: Blog Post: https://thesouthernteach.com/blog/9-types-of-students-you-should-know-about-and-how-to-support-them-all/ Enneagram Test - https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Enneagram-Personality-Types-Classroom-Community-Building-Learning-Styles-Test-5777575 Enneagram Primary - https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Enneagram-Personality-Type-for-1st-2nd-3rd-Grades-Community-Building-Activity-6771407 Enneagram Bundle - https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Enneagram-Bundle-Student-Personality-Type-Community-Building-Activities-6170227 Let's Connect! Listen/watch on YouTube Shop TPT Resources Instagram Website Amazon Mentioned in this episode: Black History Month Unit for your Social Studies Curriculum Are you an upper elementary teacher looking to find a quality TEKS- and CCSS-aligned resource that covers important events and figures in black history? Looking for minimal-prep and engaging lessons and activities to teach social studies concepts to your 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students? Look no further! Purchase the Black History Month Unit!

How can you help students understand what’s happening in the world (without overwhelming them)? In this episode, we’re diving into how to teach current events in the classroom in an age-appropriate, engaging, and meaningful way. You’ll learn practical strategies for connecting real-world news to social studies standards while helping students build critical-thinking and empathy skills. In this episode, you’ll learn: ✅ Why teaching current events matters for social studies and citizenship ✅ Common challenges (and how to handle them) ✅ Recommendations for kid-friendly news sources ✅ Ways to connect headlines to history, geography, and culture ✅ How to use videos, podcasts, and visuals to make the news come alive 💡 Perfect for: Upper elementary and middle school social studies teachersClassrooms with limited time for social studiesTeachers who want to foster curiosity and civic awareness Even short, structured current-events discussions can help your students think critically, stay informed, and see the connections between history and the present day. Action Tip: Pick one kid-friendly news story this week and bring it into your classroom, and see how your students connect and engage! Related Links: Blog Post: Episode 117 Recommended Resources: Recommended Current Events Sources: CNN 10 https://www.youtube.com/cnn10 Scholastic News https://classroommagazines.scholastic.com/ Newsla https://newsela.com/ Time for Kids https://www.timeforkids.com/ Let's Connect! Listen/watch on YouTube Shop TPT Resources Instagram Website Amazon Mentioned in this episode: Black History Month Unit for your Social Studies Curriculum Are you an upper elementary teacher looking to find a quality TEKS- and CCSS-aligned resource that covers important events and figures in black history? Looking for minimal-prep and engaging lessons and activities to teach social studies concepts to your 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students? Look no further! Purchase the Black History Month Unit!

🎉 10K DOWNLOADS! I can’t believe The Social Studies Teacher Podcast has officially hit this milestone - all thanks to YOU! To celebrate, I’m counting down the Top 10 most downloaded episodes of the podcast — the ones you’ve loved, shared, and replayed the most. These episodes are packed with practical tips and real-classroom ideas to make social studies engaging, meaningful, and low-prep. 👩‍🏫 In this special episode, you’ll hear: The most popular topics teachers keep coming back toQuick takeaways from each episodeWhy these lessons continue to inspire upper elementary classrooms Whether you’re new to the podcast or a longtime listener, this is the perfect place to start! 📲 Listen to the full episodes: The Social Studies Teacher Podcast: https://pod.link/1692254335 🎧 Links to the Top 10 Episodes: https://thesouthernteach.com/blog/cultural-sensitivity-during-the-holiday-season/ https://thesouthernteach.com/blog/social-studies-lesson-key-components/ https://thesouthernteach.com/blog/social-studies-interactive-notebooks/ https://thesouthernteach.com/blog/challenges-social-studies-teachers/ https://thesouthernteach.com/blog/social-studies-pacing-guide/ https://thesouthernteach.com/blog/teaching-social-studies-priority/ https://thesouthernteach.com/blog/first-week-of-school/ https://thesouthernteach.com/blog/engaging-social-studies-lessons/ https://thesouthernteach.com/blog/podcast-for-educators/ https://thesouthernteach.com/blog/fun-social-studies-activities/ If you’ve found the podcast helpful, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a teacher friend who loves social studies! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-social-studies-teacher-podcast/id1692254335 Mentioned in this episode: Black History Month Unit for your Social Studies Curriculum Are you an upper elementary teacher looking to find a quality TEKS- and CCSS-aligned resource that covers important events and figures in black history? Looking for minimal-prep and engaging lessons and activities to teach social studies concepts to your 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students? Look no further! Purchase the Black History Month Unit!

Holidays can be a magical time in the classroom, but they can also be tricky to navigate. In this episode, I’m sharing 4 practical ways to make your holiday lessons more inclusive, culturally responsive, and welcoming for every student. You’ll learn how to celebrate the season while respecting the diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and traditions your students bring to class. In this episode, you’ll discover how to: ✅ Shift from “holiday parties” to cultural learning experiences ✅ Include global celebrations in your lessons ✅ Encourage student voice and family traditions ✅ Use reflection and connection instead of comparison These ideas are easy to implement, low-prep, and perfect for upper elementary classrooms, especially if you want to build community and cultural understanding during the winter months. Related Blog Post: https://thesouthernteach.com/blog/cultural-sensitivity-during-the-holiday-season/ Explore more classroom-ready holiday resources: ❄️ Winter Holidays Around the World Unit: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Winter-Holidays-Around-the-World-Unit-Activities-Social-Studies-Mini-Lessons-14563801 🎄 Christmas Around the World Unit: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Christmas-Holidays-Around-the-World-Unit-Activities-Social-Studies-Mini-Lessons-14563832 Mentioned in this episode: Black History Month Unit for your Social Studies Curriculum Are you an upper elementary teacher looking to find a quality TEKS- and CCSS-aligned resource that covers important events and figures in black history? Looking for minimal-prep and engaging lessons and activities to teach social studies concepts to your 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students? Look no further! Purchase the Black History Month Unit!

Bring global celebrations to life in your classroom this season! 🌎✨ In this episode, I’m sharing 8 winter holidays celebrated around the world that are perfect for teaching cultural awareness, geography, and world traditions — all while keeping your students engaged and inspired. These holidays span from October through January and include hands-on classroom ideas you can use right away. 🎉 Here’s what we’ll explore: 1️⃣ Diwali 2️⃣ Día de los Muertos 3️⃣ Hanukkah 4️⃣ Las Posadas 5️⃣ Christmas 6️⃣ Kwanzaa 7️⃣ New Year’s Eve/Day 8️⃣ Three Kings Day/Epiphany Perfect for: Upper elementary teachers (Grades 3–5) looking for multicultural holiday lessons, social studies activities, or winter-themed projects that go beyond Christmas. Resources Mentioned: Blog Post - Episode 114 🕯️ Winter Holidays Around the World Unit 🎄 Christmas Around the World Unit 📖 The Night of Las Posadas by Tomie DePaola Let's Connect! Listen/watch on YouTube Shop TPT Resources Instagram Website Amazon Mentioned in this episode: Black History Month Unit for your Social Studies Curriculum Are you an upper elementary teacher looking to find a quality TEKS- and CCSS-aligned resource that covers important events and figures in black history? Looking for minimal-prep and engaging lessons and activities to teach social studies concepts to your 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students? Look no further! Purchase the Black History Month Unit!

Planning social studies lessons doesn’t have to be stressful! In this episode, I’m walking you through 5 key components every social studies lesson needs to keep students engaged and learning - without adding extra prep time. This is a remix episode that includes a brand new lesson example on the Thirteen colonies! Whether you’re teaching about the Thirteen Colonies, U.S. History, or any other topic, you’ll learn how to: ✅ Write clear and student-friendly learning objectives ✅ Start with an engaging hook or question ✅ Incorporate active learning and collaboration ✅ Use primary sources and real-world connections ✅ End with meaningful reflection and assessment These strategies work for upper elementary social studies, including 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade — and you can easily adapt them for any unit. Resources Mentioned: Blog post Course: Social Studies Simplified Learning Intentions Posters Thirteen Colonies Unit Let's Connect! Listen/watch on YouTube Shop TPT Resources Instagram Website Amazon Mentioned in this episode: Black History Month Unit for your Social Studies Curriculum Are you an upper elementary teacher looking to find a quality TEKS- and CCSS-aligned resource that covers important events and figures in black history? Looking for minimal-prep and engaging lessons and activities to teach social studies concepts to your 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students? Look no further! Purchase the Black History Month Unit!

Raise your hand if you’ve ever shown a history video or documentary in class… only to see your students zoning out after 15 minutes. Yup, I've been there! Today’s students are used to short-form, high-stimulation content like TikTok and YouTube shorts, so long educational films can feel slow, even when the content is great. In this video, I’ll share 5 practical strategies to keep your students engaged and actually learning from videos in social studies and history. 👉 Here’s what you’ll learn: Purposeful Viewing Guides Pause and DiscussActive Note-Taking Structures Movement and Roles Creative Post-Video Activities Whether you’re teaching American history, state history, or world cultures, these tips will help your students focus, engage, and remember what they watch. Blog Post - Episode 112 Let's Connect! Listen/watch on YouTube Shop TPT Resources Instagram Website Amazon Mentioned in this episode: Black History Month Unit for your Social Studies Curriculum Are you an upper elementary teacher looking to find a quality TEKS- and CCSS-aligned resource that covers important events and figures in black history? Looking for minimal-prep and engaging lessons and activities to teach social studies concepts to your 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students? Look no further! Purchase the Black History Month Unit!

Ever taught a unit in September only to realize your students barely remember it by March? 😩 You’re not alone! That’s where spiral learning comes in. In this episode, I’ll show you what spiraling is, why it works, and 4 practical strategies you can use in social studies (and beyond) to help knowledge stick. 👉 Here’s what we’ll cover: What is Spiraling? Why Spiraling is Important 4 Easy Strategies you can do ASAP With a little planning, your students won’t just learn it and lose it — they’ll carry that knowledge with them all year long. Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Free Social Studies Guided Lessons Daily Passage Bundle for Social Studies World Cultures Curriculum Blog Post - Episode 111 Let's Connect! Listen/watch on YouTube Shop TPT Resources Instagram Website Amazon Mentioned in this episode: Black History Month Unit for your Social Studies Curriculum Are you an upper elementary teacher looking to find a quality TEKS- and CCSS-aligned resource that covers important events and figures in black history? Looking for minimal-prep and engaging lessons and activities to teach social studies concepts to your 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students? Look no further! Purchase the Black History Month Unit!

In this bonus episode of The Social Studies Teacher Podcast, I’m giving you a timely update on some major news out of Texas. The State Board of Education has officially voted on big changes to the K–8 Social Studies TEKS, shifting to a chronological approach and creating a brand-new framework for how we teach history, geography, government, and culture. It is expected that these standards are put into effect beginning 2030. I’ll walk you through: The highlights of the SBOE’s September 2025 meetingHow each grade (K–8) will change under the new proposalThe move from 8 strands down to 5 strandsThe timeline for implementation (likely 2030)What this means for your classroom right now If you’re a Texas teacher (or just curious about curriculum changes), this episode will help you feel prepared and confident. And don’t worry- my Smart & Simple Social Studies resources are fully aligned with the current TEKS, and I’ll continue to update everything when the time comes! Let's Connect! Listen/watch on YouTube Shop TPT Resources Instagram Website Amazon Mentioned in this episode: Black History Month Unit for your Social Studies Curriculum Are you an upper elementary teacher looking to find a quality TEKS- and CCSS-aligned resource that covers important events and figures in black history? Looking for minimal-prep and engaging lessons and activities to teach social studies concepts to your 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students? Look no further! Purchase the Black History Month Unit!

Do your students groan when it’s time for vocabulary? 😩 You’re not alone! In this episode, I’ll share 4 engaging social studies vocabulary strategies that will make vocabulary instruction meaningful, fun, and effective. We’ll start by looking at the three tiers of vocabulary (Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3) and see where social studies fits in. Then, I’ll walk you through four practical strategies you can start using right away in your classroom: Interactive Word Walls – bring words to life with skits, drawings, and hands-on activities.Vocabulary Journals – help students build their own personalized “dictionary” for review.Games and Movement – charades, four corners, bingo, and more!Context and Stories – use real-world examples and storytelling to make words stick. These vocabulary activities are perfect for upper elementary social studies teachers (3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th grade) who want low-prep, high-impact strategies to boost student comprehension, critical thinking, and test prep. 📌 If you’re looking for ways to: Make social studies more engagingTeach vocabulary beyond boring worksheetsSave time with easy-to-implement strategies …this episode is for you! Resources Mentioned: General Social Studies: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Social-Studies-Vocabulary-Word-Wall-Cards-Bulletin-Boards-for-Upper-Elementary-12164521 Texas History: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Texas-History-4th-Grade-Vocabulary-Word-Wall-Cards-Bulletin-Boards-12313715 U.S. History: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/US-History-5th-Grade-Vocabulary-Word-Wall-Cards-Bulletin-Boards-BUNDLE-12749068 Episode 110 Blog Post Let's Connect! Listen/watch on YouTube Shop TPT Resources Instagram Website Amazon Mentioned in this episode: Black History Month Unit for your Social Studies Curriculum Are you an upper elementary teacher looking to find a quality TEKS- and CCSS-aligned resource that covers important events and figures in black history? Looking for minimal-prep and engaging lessons and activities to teach social studies concepts to your 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students? Look no further! Purchase the Black History Month Unit!

Looking for fun and engaging social studies activities for your upper elementary classroom? In this video, I’m sharing 4 creative and easy-to-implement social studies lessons designed for grades 3-5. These hands-on activities make history, geography, government, and culture come alive for your students while keeping planning stress-free for you! What You'll Learn 4 ready-to-use activities perfect for social studies centers or whole-group lessonsIdeas that build critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving skillsWays to integrate history and geography with engaging projectsLow-prep activities that work with any social studies curriculum Whether you’re teaching 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade, these activities will help you create meaningful and interactive lessons that your students will love. Resources Mentioned: Daily Passage Review Bundle Guided Notes Texas History Guided Notes Upper Elementary Project Bundle All Learning Stations Guided Curriculum Blog Post - Episode 109 Let's Connect! Listen/watch on YouTube Shop TPT Resources Instagram Website Amazon Mentioned in this episode: Black History Month Unit for your Social Studies Curriculum Are you an upper elementary teacher looking to find a quality TEKS- and CCSS-aligned resource that covers important events and figures in black history? Looking for minimal-prep and engaging lessons and activities to teach social studies concepts to your 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students? Look no further! Purchase the Black History Month Unit!

Looking for fun, engaging, and low-prep ideas for your reading block? In this video, I’m sharing 5 ELA reading stations and literacy center activities perfect for grades 3–5. These stations are designed to build reading comprehension, vocabulary, fluency, and writing skills - all while keeping students actively engaged! 📚 What You’ll Learn: ✔️ How to set up 5 easy reading stations ✔️ Literacy center activities that save you time ✔️ Differentiation tips for upper elementary classrooms ✔️ Strategies to keep students motivated and on task Whether you’re a 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade teacher, these ideas will help you run effective and fun literacy centers that support every reader in your classroom. Resources Mentioned: Reading Response Menu Bundle Writing Response Menu Bundle Grammar and Vocabulary Task Card Bundle Internet WebQuest Bundle Academic Vocabulary Word of the Week - Grade 3, Grade 4, Grade 5 Blog Post - Episode 108 Let's Connect! Listen/watch on YouTube Shop TPT Resources Instagram Website Amazon Mentioned in this episode: Black History Month Unit for your Social Studies Curriculum Are you an upper elementary teacher looking to find a quality TEKS- and CCSS-aligned resource that covers important events and figures in black history? Looking for minimal-prep and engaging lessons and activities to teach social studies concepts to your 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students? Look no further! Purchase the Black History Month Unit!

Looking for engaging, low-prep social studies-themed stations that work for your upper elementary classroom? In this episode of The Social Studies Teacher Podcast, I’m sharing 7 flexible station ideas that can fit into your ELA block, dedicated social studies time, or even a fun Social Studies Friday rotation! 📚 Whether you teach 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade and only have 30 minutes (if you're lucky!), these stations will help you reinforce reading skills like main idea, summarizing, and inferencing - all while covering key social studies topics. Here’s what we’ll cover: ✔️ Daily Social Studies Passages ✔️ Task Cards ✔️ Primary Source Analysis ✔️ WebQuests ✔️ Journals & Writing Reflections ✔️ Digital Interactive Tools ✔️ Small Group Station Ideas 💡 You’ll also learn how to differentiate with ease, incorporate these into your existing rotations, and why you don’t need to launch all 7 stations at once. Mentioned in the episode: 🔗 Smart & Simple Social Studies Membership (with built-in station activities!) 🔗 Episode 107 Blog Post 🔗 Related post: 5 Literacy ELA Centers Let's Connect! Listen/watch on YouTube Shop TPT Resources Instagram Website Amazon Mentioned in this episode: Black History Month Unit for your Social Studies Curriculum Are you an upper elementary teacher looking to find a quality TEKS- and CCSS-aligned resource that covers important events and figures in black history? Looking for minimal-prep and engaging lessons and activities to teach social studies concepts to your 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students? Look no further! Purchase the Black History Month Unit!

🎉 Plan the First 10 Days of Social Studies with Me! 🎉 In today’s episode, we’re planning out the first 10 days of your social studies block together. Whether you teach 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade, this episode is packed with low-prep, engaging activities to help you start the year strong. I’ll walk you through: ✔️ How to build classroom community from Day 1 ✔️ Tips for setting up interactive notebooks ✔️ When (and how!) to introduce warmups and guided lessons ✔️ How to gradually build routines for a smooth year ahead ✔️ Examples of what I used to do in my own upper elementary classroom Even if you have 20 or 30 minutes for social studies, you’ll find helpful ideas you can tweak to fit your schedule and grade level. Related Blog Posts 🔗 Fun SS Activities for the 1st Week of School 🔗 Fun SS Activities for the 2nd Week of School 🔗 How to Set Up Interactive Notebooks Mentioned Resources: 🛒 Back-to-School Social Studies Activities 🛒 Interactive SS Notebook Covers 🛒 Daily Social Studies Warmups + Guided Curriculum Download the free back to school guide for Texas Teachers! Mentioned in this episode: Black History Month Unit for your Social Studies Curriculum Are you an upper elementary teacher looking to find a quality TEKS- and CCSS-aligned resource that covers important events and figures in black history? Looking for minimal-prep and engaging lessons and activities to teach social studies concepts to your 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students? Look no further! Purchase the Black History Month Unit!