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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3 Important Things to Teach Upper Elementary Students about Black History Month
Episode 87
Monday, February 10, 2025 • Duration 11:50
While it’s easy to focus on well-known figures like Martin Luther King Jr. or Rosa Parks, Black History Month is an opportunity to go deeper and share a more comprehensive understanding of Black history and culture. Today, I’m sharing three important things to focus on with your students during Black History Month that can spark meaningful conversations, build empathy, and promote a greater understanding of history.
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
What if I Get it Wrong? Tips to Teach Sensitive Social Studies Topics
Episode 86
Monday, February 3, 2025 • Duration 15:38
If you’ve ever felt a knot in your stomach thinking, What if I get it wrong? What if I offend someone or give the wrong information?—you’re not alone. Teaching sensitive topics can be daunting, but it’s also incredibly important. Whether it’s discussing historical injustices, social movements, or cultural differences, these lessons help students understand the world, think critically, and develop empathy.
In this episode, I’m going to share strategies for approaching these discussions with care, ensuring accuracy and student engagement, and avoiding common pitfalls. By the end of this episode, I hope you’ll feel more confident and prepared to tackle sensitive topics without fear.
4 Easy Ways to Teach History Without Boring Your Students
Episode 77
Monday, December 2, 2024 • Duration 09:53
Taking complex or traditionally dry social studies topics and transforming them into simple, fun lessons your students will love can be a challenge. Whether it’s trying to explain the complexities of government or the timeline of ancient civilizations, some social studies content can feel daunting for our students—and for us!
But don’t worry, I’ll share some techniques for breaking these topics down and making them not only digestible but also enjoyable for upper elementary students.
8 Special Holiday Celebrations to Teach Your Students
Episode 76
Monday, November 25, 2024 • Duration 11:39
While we may have our favorite holidays that we celebrate, it's also key for our students to learn about different traditions. It’s a great way to help build awareness and respect for the diversity of cultures and celebrations around the world. So today, I’m going to share 8 special holidays from different cultures that your students may or may not have heard about!
Episode Highlights
Lunar New Year
Mardi Gras
Nowruz
Holi
Las Posadas
Diwali
St. Lucia’s Day
La Tomatina
Resources and Links
Easily incorporate these holidays into your classroom using this resource!
Ready or not, the holiday season is upon us! As teachers, this busy season can make it feel like we’re stretched too thin in both our work and personal lives.
Today, we’re talking about how to prioritize your time and optimize your daily schedule to alleviate some of that holiday stress. I’ve got six simple strategies to help you avoid burnout and ensure you’re biting off just the right amount to chew during this hectic time of year.
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!
Using Charts, Tables, and Graphs in Social Studies
Episode 74
Monday, November 11, 2024 • Duration 13:06
Whether you’re teaching geography, history, or economics, visual tools can simplify complex information and help your students develop critical thinking skills. In today's episode I’ll be sharing tips on how to integrate charts, tables, and graphs into your lessons to make learning more interactive and engaging.
Episode Highlights
Why use charts, tables, and graphs?
Types of visuals to use in your social studies lessons
How to integrate visuals into lessons
Activities and assessment ideas
The end game - why it will benefit students in the long run
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!
Making Social Studies Personal For Your Students
Episode 73
Monday, November 4, 2024 • Duration 13:57
We're diving into one of my absolute favorite ways to bring social studies to life for our students: making it personal.
Episode Highlights
Why share real stories?
4 steps to making social studies person for your students through storytelling first-hand accounts
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!
The electoral college is a complex system that can be tricky to explain to students. However, understanding this unique aspect of American democracy is essential for fostering informed citizens. In this episode, we'll break down what the electoral college is, share some fun facts, and offer tips on how to teach this concept to 3rd-5th graders.
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
Do Your Students Know Important U.S. National Leaders?
Episode 71
Monday, October 21, 2024 • Duration 13:56
Learning about our national leaders isn't just about memorizing names and dates. It's about understanding the people who make decisions that affect our lives!
Episode Highlights
Why it's important for students to understand information about our government leaders
Scavenger hunt activity idea for upper elementary students
Additional tips on implementing the scavenger hunt
If you’re lucky enough to have extended time for your social studies block, you’re in for a treat! More time means more opportunities to dive deeper into topics, engage students with diverse activities, and make learning even more dynamic.
Whether you have a 60-minute or 90-minute block, here are some structured schedules and creative ideas to help you make the most of your time.
Episode Highlights
lesson ideas and examples for a 45-60 minute social studies block
lesson ideas and examples for a 90-minute social studies block
practical tips for teaching social studies for more than 30 minutes
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!
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
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
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
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!
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
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!
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