Are you an upper elementary or middle school educator looking for simple strategies to make teaching social studies easier and more fun? This podcast is perfect for 3rd-8th grade teachers and parents who want to maximize their time and bring social studies to life in their classrooms!
Your host, Kirsten of The Southern Teach, is a mom and educator with over a decade of experience teaching in the classroom. She is all about simple and actionable strategies that result in wins, big or small.
Each week, she'll share a variety of tips on integrating social studies with other subjects, teaching accurate and culturally-relevant social studies topics, lesson and resource ideas, and more! Listen in for ways to make teaching social studies manageable, fun, and best of all - rewarding for both you and your kids!
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10 Must-Have Teacher Supplies for the Upper Elementary Classroom
Episode 130
Wednesday, July 15, 2026 • Duration 21:21
Quick note: This episode is a repost, but it’s perfect to revisit as you start thinking about back-to-school prep, classroom setup and the supplies that actually make teaching easier.
Are you ready to refresh your teacher supply list?
In this episode, I’m sharing 10 of my favorite teacher supplies for the upper elementary classroom. These are simple, practical items that can help you stay organized, keep students engaged and make your lessons run more smoothly throughout the year.
Whether you are a brand-new teacher or a seasoned pro, this episode will give you ideas to add to your back-to-school shopping list. I’ll also share tips for using these supplies during social studies lessons, plus ways they can work across other subjects too.
You’ll walk away with practical recommendations, easy classroom ideas and a few supply favorites that can make your teaching life just a little bit easier.
And while you’re planning for the new school year, don’t forget to check out my free professional development podcast series on building classroom community. It’s a great next step if you want simple ideas for creating a positive classroom environment from the very beginning of the year.
In this episode, you will learn:
10 of my favorite teacher supplies for upper elementary teachers
Tips for using these supplies in social studies
Ideas for using these same supplies across other subjects
Simple ways to make your classroom more organized and engaging
Get your upper elementary students excited to start the school year using these low-prep back to school social studies getting to know you worksheets! With 20 pages of engaging activities targeting geography, history, and classroom community building, it makes a great back to school resource for the first week or first month of school!
Free Guided Lesson Sampler for Texas Social Studies Teachers
Looking for a ready-to-use social studies lesson for your grade level? Grab a free guided lesson sample created specifically for Texas teachers.
Choose from 3rd grade Communities, 4th grade Texas History, 5th grade U.S. History, 6th grade World Cultures, or 7th grade Texas History.
Each sampler includes a teacher guide, lesson slideshow, digital version, guided notes, practice activity, exit ticket, answer keys, and more information about the full 36-week guided curriculum program.
Download your free sampler and choose your grade level at thesouthernteach.com/lessons
5 Mistakes New Social Studies Teachers Make (and How to Fix Them)
Episode 131
Wednesday, July 8, 2026 • Duration 22:33
Teaching social studies for the first time? You're not alone, and you definitely don't have to figure it all out by yourself.
In this episode, I'm sharing the five biggest mistakes I made as a new social studies teacher (and the same mistakes I see many teachers make today). More importantly, I'll show you simple, practical solutions that you can implement before the first day of school.
Whether you've been assigned a new grade level, don't have a curriculum, or simply want to feel more confident planning your year, these tips will help you build a social studies block that is engaging, organized, and sustainable.
In This Video
Why passage-only instruction often leads to disengagement
How planning by unit saves time all year long
Why consistency matters more than long social studies blocks
The classroom routines every social studies teacher should establish
How to save time by using quality, ready-to-use resources
Simple strategies to build an engaging and sustainable social studies routine
If you're preparing for back-to-school, these five mindset shifts can help you avoid burnout and spend more time focusing on what matters most...your students.
Resources Mentioned
Social Studies Bootcamp - thesouthernteach.com/bootcamp
Free Guided Lesson Sampler for Texas Social Studies Teachers
Looking for a ready-to-use social studies lesson for your grade level? Grab a free guided lesson sample created specifically for Texas teachers.
Choose from 3rd grade Communities, 4th grade Texas History, 5th grade U.S. History, 6th grade World Cultures, or 7th grade Texas History.
Each sampler includes a teacher guide, lesson slideshow, digital version, guided notes, practice activity, exit ticket, answer keys, and more information about the full 36-week guided curriculum program.
Download your free sampler and choose your grade level at thesouthernteach.com/lessons
Social Studies Summer Series Day 5: How to Teach Economics Skills
Episode 128
Friday, June 19, 2026 • Duration 18:11
Quick note: This episode is a repost, but it’s a great one to revisit as you plan ways to make economics and free enterprise easier for students to understand.
Welcome to Part 5 of the Social Studies Summer Series!
In this episode, we’re talking all about how to teach economics skills and the free enterprise system in upper elementary. Economics can feel like a big, overwhelming topic at first, but it does not have to be complicated.
With the right approach, you can break down concepts like goods, services, producers, consumers, supply, demand, saving, spending and business into simple, student-friendly lessons.
I’ll share practical ways to make economics more engaging through hands-on activities, visual examples, real-world connections and critical thinking. You’ll also hear ideas for helping students see how economics connects to their everyday lives and the world around them.
Whether you’re teaching economics for the first time or looking for fresh ideas to make it more interactive, this episode will give you simple strategies you can use in your classroom.
Social Studies Summer Series Day 4: How to Teach Government/Civics Skills
Episode 127
Thursday, June 18, 2026 • Duration 15:54
Quick note: This episode is a repost, but it’s a helpful one to revisit as you plan simple ways to make government and civics easier for students to understand.
Welcome to Part 4 of the Social Studies Summer Series!
In this episode, we’re talking about how to teach government and civics skills to 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students in a way that feels clear, practical and engaging.
Government can sometimes feel like a big topic for upper elementary students, but it becomes much easier when we connect it to real-life examples, classroom routines, community helpers, current events and everyday decision-making.
I’ll share simple steps for helping students understand the basics of government, the role of citizens and how people can participate in their communities. You’ll also hear ideas for using interactive activities, multimedia resources and critical thinking questions to make these lessons more meaningful.
Whether you’re teaching branches of government, rights and responsibilities or active citizenship, this episode will give you practical ideas to help students see why civics matters.
Social Studies Summer Series Day 3: How to Teach Culture and Society Skills
Episode 126
Wednesday, June 17, 2026 • Duration 16:49
Quick note: This episode is a repost, but it’s a great one to revisit as you plan meaningful ways to help students learn about culture, community and the world around them.
Welcome to Part 3 of the Social Studies Summer Series!
In this episode, we’re focusing on how to teach culture and society skills to upper-elementary and middle-school students. Understanding different cultures is such an important part of social studies because it helps students learn about traditions, celebrations, art, literature, science, technology and the many ways people live and contribute to society.
I’ll share simple steps, activity ideas and examples you can use to help students build respect and curiosity for the world around them. We’ll talk about knowing yourself and your students, creating a welcoming classroom, using stories and personal experiences and adding hands-on activities that make learning more meaningful.
Whether you’re planning your culture and society lessons for next year or just looking for fresh ways to help students connect with these topics, this episode will give you practical ideas you can bring into your classroom.
Social Studies Summer Series Day 2: How to Teach History Skills
Episode 125
Tuesday, June 16, 2026 • Duration 13:18
Quick note: This episode is a repost, but it’s a great one to revisit as you plan simple, engaging ways to help students build stronger history skills.
Welcome to Part 2 of the Social Studies Summer Series!
In this episode, we’re talking all about how to teach history skills in a way that feels meaningful and engaging for upper elementary and middle school students. History is more than memorizing dates and people from the past. It’s about helping students make connections, ask questions and understand how events and decisions shaped the world we live in today.
I’ll share straightforward tips and activity ideas to help students connect history to the present, explore primary sources, think like detectives and reflect on the lessons we can learn from the past.
Whether you’re mapping out your social studies plans for next year or looking for fresh ways to make history more interactive, this episode will give you practical ideas you can use in your classroom.
Episode Highlights
In this episode, you’ll hear ideas for:
Connecting history to today
Using primary sources with upper elementary students
Free Guided Lesson Sampler for Texas Social Studies Teachers
Social Studies Summer Series Day 1: How to Teach Geography Skills
Episode 124
Monday, June 15, 2026 • Duration 19:13
Quick note: This episode is a repost, but it’s the perfect one to revisit during summer planning as you think about how to make geography more engaging and easier for students to understand.
Welcome to Part 1 of the 5-part Social Studies Summer Series!
In this episode, we’re going back to the basics of teaching geography skills in upper elementary. Geography can sometimes feel like it’s all about memorizing maps, places and vocabulary, but it can be so much more than that.
I’ll share simple ways to help students understand geography by making it relevant to their lives, connecting it to different cultures, using technology and encouraging curiosity. You’ll also hear ideas for practicing map skills in a way that feels meaningful instead of repetitive.
Whether you’re planning for next year or just wanting fresh ideas for your social studies block, this episode will help you make geography more fun, practical and connected to the world around your students.
Episode Highlights
In this episode, you’ll hear ideas for:
Going back to the basics with geography skills
Making geography relevant for students
Learning about different cultures
Using technology in geography lessons
Encouraging student questions
Connecting geography with other subjects
Practicing map skills
Helping students better understand the world
Trying some of my favorite geography activity ideas
Summer is the perfect time to reset, reflect and get ahead before the back-to-school rush begins.
In this episode, I’m sharing five simple steps to help you prep for social studies without spending your entire summer planning. You’ll learn how to organize your resources, look ahead at your standards, map out your first few units, create a simple routine and set yourself up for a smoother school year.
Whether you have a full social studies block or just a few minutes a day, this episode will help you feel more prepared, more confident and a whole lot less overwhelmed when the new school year begins.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
How to review your social studies standards without overcomplicating it
Why planning your first few weeks can make the biggest difference
Simple ways to organize your resources before school starts
How to create a repeatable routine for your social studies block
No Curriculum? No Problem! How to Teach Social Studies Without One
Episode 122
Monday, April 27, 2026 • Duration 22:01
Have you ever been told you're teaching social studies… but given absolutely nothing to work with?
No textbook. No pacing guide. No curriculum map.
In this video, I’m walking you through exactly how to teach social studies without a curriculum- and still create structured, engaging, and meaningful lessons your students will love.
Whether your district is in transition, resources are limited, or you're expected to build from the standards, this video will give you a clear system you can actually use.
In this video, you’ll learn how to:
• Use your state standards to build your curriculum
• Create a simple year-at-a-glance plan
• Structure your week so planning feels manageable
• Find and use quality resources without starting from scratch
• Focus on social studies skills, not just content
• Build consistency in your lessons without overwhelm
You don’t need a full curriculum to be an effective social studies teacher. You just need a plan—and I’ll show you how to build one.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure where to start, this will help you move forward with confidence.
➡️ Want ready-to-use, structured social studies lessons? Check out my resources here:
How to Help Students Think Like Historians | Teaching the Why in Social Studies
Episode 121
Monday, March 9, 2026 • Duration 14:22
History lessons often focus on dates, events, and timelines. But when students understand why events happened, history begins to make sense!
In this video, we explore practical strategies for helping students think like historians by focusing on cause and effect, perspectives, evidence, and historical reasoning.
This episode walks through several ways to shift your instruction from teaching only the “what” of history to helping students understand the deeper reasons behind historical events.
In this episode:
Why teaching only historical facts can limit understanding
What it means for students to think like historians
How to start lessons with compelling historical questions
Ways to model cause-and-effect thinking in history
Using multiple perspectives to deepen understanding
How primary sources help students analyze evidence
Connecting historical events to issues in the present
A simple lesson structure that encourages historical thinking
By focusing on the “why” behind history, students develop stronger critical thinking skills, build empathy, and begin to see how past decisions continue to shape the world today.
Get your upper elementary students excited to start the school year using these low-prep back to school social studies getting to know you worksheets! With 20 pages of engaging activities targeting geography, history, and classroom community building, it makes a great back to school resource for the first week or first month of school!
Free Guided Lesson Sampler for Texas Social Studies Teachers
Looking for a ready-to-use social studies lesson for your grade level? Grab a free guided lesson sample created specifically for Texas teachers.
Choose from 3rd grade Communities, 4th grade Texas History, 5th grade U.S. History, 6th grade World Cultures, or 7th grade Texas History.
Each sampler includes a teacher guide, lesson slideshow, digital version, guided notes, practice activity, exit ticket, answer keys, and more information about the full 36-week guided curriculum program.
Download your free sampler and choose your grade level at thesouthernteach.com/lessons
Grab the Back to School Social Studies Pack!
Get your upper elementary students excited to start the school year using these low-prep back to school social studies getting to know you worksheets! With 20 pages of engaging activities targeting geography, history, and classroom community building, it makes a great back to school resource for the first week or first month of school!
Free Guided Lesson Sampler for Texas Social Studies Teachers
Looking for a ready-to-use social studies lesson for your grade level? Grab a free guided lesson sample created specifically for Texas teachers.
Choose from 3rd grade Communities, 4th grade Texas History, 5th grade U.S. History, 6th grade World Cultures, or 7th grade Texas History.
Each sampler includes a teacher guide, lesson slideshow, digital version, guided notes, practice activity, exit ticket, answer keys, and more information about the full 36-week guided curriculum program.
Download your free sampler and choose your grade level at thesouthernteach.com/lessons
Grab the Back to School Social Studies Pack!
Get your upper elementary students excited to start the school year using these low-prep back to school social studies getting to know you worksheets! With 20 pages of engaging activities targeting geography, history, and classroom community building, it makes a great back to school resource for the first week or first month of school!
Free Guided Lesson Sampler for Texas Social Studies Teachers
Looking for a ready-to-use social studies lesson for your grade level? Grab a free guided lesson sample created specifically for Texas teachers.
Choose from 3rd grade Communities, 4th grade Texas History, 5th grade U.S. History, 6th grade World Cultures, or 7th grade Texas History.
Each sampler includes a teacher guide, lesson slideshow, digital version, guided notes, practice activity, exit ticket, answer keys, and more information about the full 36-week guided curriculum program.
Download your free sampler and choose your grade level at thesouthernteach.com/lessons
Grab the Back to School Social Studies Pack!
Get your upper elementary students excited to start the school year using these low-prep back to school social studies getting to know you worksheets! With 20 pages of engaging activities targeting geography, history, and classroom community building, it makes a great back to school resource for the first week or first month of school!
Looking for a ready-to-use social studies lesson for your grade level? Grab a free guided lesson sample created specifically for Texas teachers.
Choose from 3rd grade Communities, 4th grade Texas History, 5th grade U.S. History, 6th grade World Cultures, or 7th grade Texas History.
Each sampler includes a teacher guide, lesson slideshow, digital version, guided notes, practice activity, exit ticket, answer keys, and more information about the full 36-week guided curriculum program.
Download your free sampler and choose your grade level at thesouthernteach.com/lessons
Grab the Back to School Social Studies Pack!
Get your upper elementary students excited to start the school year using these low-prep back to school social studies getting to know you worksheets! With 20 pages of engaging activities targeting geography, history, and classroom community building, it makes a great back to school resource for the first week or first month of school!
Free Guided Lesson Sampler for Texas Social Studies Teachers
Looking for a ready-to-use social studies lesson for your grade level? Grab a free guided lesson sample created specifically for Texas teachers.
Choose from 3rd grade Communities, 4th grade Texas History, 5th grade U.S. History, 6th grade World Cultures, or 7th grade Texas History.
Each sampler includes a teacher guide, lesson slideshow, digital version, guided notes, practice activity, exit ticket, answer keys, and more information about the full 36-week guided curriculum program.
Download your free sampler and choose your grade level at thesouthernteach.com/lessons
Grab the Back to School Social Studies Pack!
Get your upper elementary students excited to start the school year using these low-prep back to school social studies getting to know you worksheets! With 20 pages of engaging activities targeting geography, history, and classroom community building, it makes a great back to school resource for the first week or first month of school!
Free Guided Lesson Sampler for Texas Social Studies Teachers
Looking for a ready-to-use social studies lesson for your grade level? Grab a free guided lesson sample created specifically for Texas teachers.
Choose from 3rd grade Communities, 4th grade Texas History, 5th grade U.S. History, 6th grade World Cultures, or 7th grade Texas History.
Each sampler includes a teacher guide, lesson slideshow, digital version, guided notes, practice activity, exit ticket, answer keys, and more information about the full 36-week guided curriculum program.
Download your free sampler and choose your grade level at thesouthernteach.com/lessons
Grab the Back to School Social Studies Pack!
Get your upper elementary students excited to start the school year using these low-prep back to school social studies getting to know you worksheets! With 20 pages of engaging activities targeting geography, history, and classroom community building, it makes a great back to school resource for the first week or first month of school!
Free Guided Lesson Sampler for Texas Social Studies Teachers
Looking for a ready-to-use social studies lesson for your grade level? Grab a free guided lesson sample created specifically for Texas teachers.
Choose from 3rd grade Communities, 4th grade Texas History, 5th grade U.S. History, 6th grade World Cultures, or 7th grade Texas History.
Each sampler includes a teacher guide, lesson slideshow, digital version, guided notes, practice activity, exit ticket, answer keys, and more information about the full 36-week guided curriculum program.
Download your free sampler and choose your grade level at thesouthernteach.com/lessons
Grab the Back to School Social Studies Pack!
Get your upper elementary students excited to start the school year using these low-prep back to school social studies getting to know you worksheets! With 20 pages of engaging activities targeting geography, history, and classroom community building, it makes a great back to school resource for the first week or first month of school!
Free Guided Lesson Sampler for Texas Social Studies Teachers
Looking for a ready-to-use social studies lesson for your grade level? Grab a free guided lesson sample created specifically for Texas teachers.
Choose from 3rd grade Communities, 4th grade Texas History, 5th grade U.S. History, 6th grade World Cultures, or 7th grade Texas History.
Each sampler includes a teacher guide, lesson slideshow, digital version, guided notes, practice activity, exit ticket, answer keys, and more information about the full 36-week guided curriculum program.
Download your free sampler and choose your grade level at thesouthernteach.com/lessons
Grab the Back to School Social Studies Pack!
Get your upper elementary students excited to start the school year using these low-prep back to school social studies getting to know you worksheets! With 20 pages of engaging activities targeting geography, history, and classroom community building, it makes a great back to school resource for the first week or first month of school!
