The Social Studies Teacher Podcast

By Kirsten Hammond, The Southern Teach LLC

Are you an upper elementary educator looking for simple strategies that will help make teaching social studies easy and fun? This podcast is perfect for 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th grade teachers and paren... more

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FAQs about The Social Studies Teacher Podcast:

How many episodes does The Social Studies Teacher Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 111 episodes available.

The Social Studies Teacher Podcast episodes:

April 28, 2025Social Studies at Home – 5 Steps for Parents on Having Important Conversations with Your Kids
Social studies isn’t just a subject we teach in school - it’s happening all around us, every single day! From historical events and current news to civic engagement and even the geography of where we live, there are so many ways to help kids connect with the world in a meaningful way. And as parents, we have a unique opportunity to guide them in developing critical thinking skills, empathy, and a deeper understanding of history and society.
In this episode, I’m sharing simple, realistic ways to bring social studies into everyday conversations - without making it feel like another lesson! Whether you're a parent looking to spark meaningful discussions or a homeschooling family wanting to integrate social studies naturally, these strategies will make it easy and engaging.
Episode Highlights
Why Social Studies Conversations at Home Matter
5 Steps for Parents to Talk About Social Studies at Home
Additional Tips for Homeschooling Families

Social studies isn’t just about memorizing facts—it’s about understanding the world and our place in it. Let’s make it something our kids actually enjoy talking about. Tune in for simple, doable strategies you can start using today!
Resources and Links
Blog Post - Episode 99
Newsela
Scholastic News
Guess in 10
Catan Junior
Ticket to Ride
I Survived
Liberty's Kids
Brainpop Jr.
https://thesouthernteach.com/blog/hands-on-social-studies/
thesouthernteach.com
smartandsimplesocialstudies.com
Let's Connect!
Listen/watch on Youtube
Shop TPT Resources
Instagram
Website
Join the Facebook Group
Mentioned in this episode:
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!
Learn more about the Back to School Social Studies Resource
Social Studies Guided Curriculum
Easy-to-follow lesson plans and activities for social studies - just print and teach! The complete bundles for Communities, Texas History, and U.S. History are available. Click the link to learn more!
Learn more about the Smart and Simple Social Studies Guided Curriculum!
...more
20min
April 21, 2025Teacher Time-Savers: Planning, Grading & Managing Social Studies Efficiently
Between lesson planning, grading, managing a classroom, and actually teaching, it always seems to feel like there just aren’t enough hours in the day! But here’s the good news: there are simple strategies you can use to save time without sacrificing quality instruction.
In today’s episode, I’m sharing seven time-saving tips to help you plan, grade, and manage social studies more efficiently. These strategies will help you spend less time on paperwork and more time engaging with your students.
Episode Highlights:
Batch Your Lesson Planning – Plan smarter, not harder
Reuse & Adapt Resources – Make the most of what you already have
Use Self-Grading Quizzes – Cut down on grading time
Grade Assignments Efficiently – Strategies to speed up the process
Streamline Social Studies Stations & Group Work – Keep things organized and effective
Use AI & Tech Tools for Social Studies – Let technology do some of the heavy lifting
Set Work Time Limits & Stick to Them – Avoid overworking and stay on track

If you’re looking for ways to lighten your workload and make social studies more manageable, this episode is for you!
Resources and Links
Blog Post - Episode 98
https://thesouthernteach.com/blog/grading-tips/
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Time-Management-Strategies-for-Teachers-6262172
Let's Connect!
Listen/watch on Youtube
Shop TPT Resources
Instagram
Website
Join the Facebook Group
Mentioned in this episode:
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!
Learn more about the Back to School Social Studies Resource
Social Studies Guided Curriculum
Easy-to-follow lesson plans and activities for social studies - just print and teach! The complete bundles for Communities, Texas History, and U.S. History are available. Click the link to learn more!
Learn more about the Smart and Simple Social Studies Guided Curriculum!
...more
20min
April 17, 2025 BONUS Episode: 10 Fun Ways to Build a Classroom Community at End of Year
As the end of the school year approaches, it’s completely normal for students to start counting down the days until summer break - let’s be honest, teachers do the same! But just because the finish line is in sight doesn’t mean engagement has to drop.
In this episode, we’ll explore 10 ways to keep students motivated while fostering a positive and supportive learning environment. By creating opportunities for students to connect with one another, we can wrap up the year on a high note and make those final weeks meaningful and enjoyable.
Tune in for practical strategies that will help you maintain engagement, build community, and make the most of the time you have left with your students!
Resources and Links
Blog Post - Episode 97
Geometrocity PBL Project
Enneagram for Big Kids
Emoji End of the Year Awards
A Letter from Your Teacher End of Year
Let's Connect!
Listen/watch on Youtube
Shop TPT Resources
Instagram
Website
Join the Facebook Group
Mentioned in this episode:
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!
Learn more about the Back to School Social Studies Resource
Social Studies Guided Curriculum
Easy-to-follow lesson plans and activities for social studies - just print and teach! The complete bundles for Communities, Texas History, and U.S. History are available. Click the link to learn more!
Learn more about the Smart and Simple Social Studies Guided Curriculum!
...more
20min
April 14, 2025The Future of Social Studies: How AI & Technology Are Changing the Way We Teach
With advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and edtech tools, the way we plan and teach social studies is evolving faster than ever.
Whether you’re looking to streamline lesson planning or engage students with interactive resources, this episode is packed with insights on how AI and technology can enhance your teaching.
Episode Highlights
What is AI?
How has AI evolved over time?
My favorite tools to enhance instruction using AI

AI isn’t here to replace teachers - it’s here to help us work smarter, not harder!
Resources and Links
Blog Post - Episode 96
Chat GPT
Magic School AI
EduAide
Quizizz
Kahoot.com
Edpuzzle
https://artsandculture.google.com/
Google Earth
Google Gemini
Let's Connect!
Listen/watch on Youtube
Shop TPT Resources
Instagram
Website
Join the Facebook Group
Mentioned in this episode:
Social Studies Guided Curriculum
Easy-to-follow lesson plans and activities for social studies - just print and teach! The complete bundles for Communities, Texas History, and U.S. History are available. Click the link to learn more!
Learn more about the Smart and Simple Social Studies Guided Curriculum!
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!
Learn more about the Back to School Social Studies Resource
...more
22min
April 07, 2025 4 Simple Engagement Hacks for Boring Social Studies Units
Let’s be real—some social studies topics can feel dry, complex, or just plain overwhelming for students. But what if I told you there are simple ways to make even the most challenging content engaging and meaningful?
In this episode, I’m sharing four easy-to-implement hacks that will transform your social studies lessons and get your students excited to learn.
Episode Highlights:
✅ Hack #1: Start with a Story – Capture attention and make history personal with powerful storytelling.
✅ Hack #2: Gamify the Content – Turn learning into a fun and interactive experience.
✅ Hack #3: Use Primary Sources in a Hands-On Way – Bring history to life with real artifacts and documents.
✅ Hack #4: Bring Social Studies to Life with Hands-On Projects – Engage students with creative and immersive learning experiences.
If you’re looking for fresh ways to engage your students and make social studies a class they look forward to, this episode is for you!
Resources and Links
Blog Post - Episode 95
4 Steps to Hooking Social Studies for Students
Teaching With WebQuests
Using Primary Sources
Conducting Book Projects in Grades 3-5
4 PBL Project Ideas
Let's Connect!
Listen/watch on Youtube
Shop TPT Resources
Instagram
Website
Join the Facebook Group
Mentioned in this episode:
Social Studies Guided Curriculum
Easy-to-follow lesson plans and activities for social studies - just print and teach! The complete bundles for Communities, Texas History, and U.S. History are available. Click the link to learn more!
Learn more about the Smart and Simple Social Studies Guided Curriculum!
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!
Learn more about the Back to School Social Studies Resource
...more
21min
March 31, 2025Causes of the Civil War (and How to Effectively Teach It To Students)
Today we’re diving into a foundational topic that every upper elementary teacher needs to cover at some point: the causes of the Civil War.
Whether you’re teaching it for the first time or looking for a refresher, this episode will help you go beyond surface-level explanations and give your students the context they need to understand this critical period in U.S. history.
Episode Highlights
Enslavement as the central issue
States' rights vs Federal power
Economic and cultural differences
The role of westward expansion
The election of Abraham Lincoln
Teaching tips for the causes of the Civil War

Resources and Links
Blog Post - Episode 94
Unit 8 American Civil War Unit
Let's Connect!
Listen/watch on Youtube
Shop TPT Resources
Instagram
Website
Join the Facebook Group
Mentioned in this episode:
Social Studies Guided Curriculum
Easy-to-follow lesson plans and activities for social studies - just print and teach! The complete bundles for Communities, Texas History, and U.S. History are available. Click the link to learn more!
Learn more about the Smart and Simple Social Studies Guided Curriculum!
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!
Learn more about the Back to School Social Studies Resource
...more
20min
March 24, 20257 Engaging Ways to Use Task Cards
If you’ve got a favorite set of task cards, get ready for some fresh and creative ways to use them in your classroom!
In this episode, we’re diving into the many ways task cards can boost engagement, reinforce key concepts, and make learning more interactive. Whether you're using them for small groups, stations, or whole-class activities, you’ll walk away with practical strategies to maximize their impact!
Episode Highlights
What task cards are and why they are beneficial for students
7 engaging and fun ideas to use task cards in a variety of ways

Resources and Links
Blog Post - Episode 93
Social Studies Task Cards
Reading Comprehension Task Cards
Grammar Task Cards
Let's Connect!
Listen/watch on Youtube
Shop TPT Resources
Instagram
Website
Join the Facebook Group
Mentioned in this episode:
Social Studies Guided Curriculum
Easy-to-follow lesson plans and activities for social studies - just print and teach! The complete bundles for Communities, Texas History, and U.S. History are available. Click the link to learn more!
Learn more about the Smart and Simple Social Studies Guided Curriculum!
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!
Learn more about the Back to School Social Studies Resource
...more
21min
March 17, 2025Coping and Regulation Supports for Test Anxiety with Caroline Koehler
In Part 3 of our test prep series, we're sitting down with Caroline Koehler to tackle a topic every teacher encounters—test anxiety. She’s sharing expert insights on why students feel overwhelmed and, more importantly, how we can help them build confidence before test day. Tune in for practical strategies to create a calm, supportive test-taking environment!
Episode Highlights:
What test anxiety is and how it typically shows up in students
Effective coping strategies that teachers can teach students to help them manage test anxiety
How to balance preparing students for tests while avoiding overwhelming them with pressure
How to support students who have severe test anxiety or other regulation challenges
Tips to involve parents in helping their children cope with test anxiety at home

Connect with our guest:
Celavora Education Website
https://www.instagram.com/carolinemsk/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCATkgk3-fK42QTXE-rCX5zw
Resources and Links:
Blog Post - Episode 92
SEL Activities Anxiety Support and Self-Regulation
Testing Schedule Template Elementary and Secondary School Coordination
Smart Cookie Activities and Worksheets
Kids Stress Management Tool Teach Social Skills How to Cope
Token Boards Template First Then Boards and I’m Working Bundle
Let's Connect!
Listen/watch on Youtube
Shop TPT Resources
Instagram
Website
Join the Facebook Group
Mentioned in this episode:
Social Studies Guided Curriculum
Easy-to-follow lesson plans and activities for social studies - just print and teach! The complete bundles for Communities, Texas History, and U.S. History are available. Click the link to learn more!
Learn more about the Smart and Simple Social Studies Guided Curriculum!
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!
Learn more about the Back to School Social Studies Resource
...more
32min
March 10, 2025Math Test Prep Strategies for Grades 3-5 with Cassi Noack
In Part 2 of our test prep series, we're chatting with Cassi Noack of Minds in Bloom on how to effectively tackle math test prep!
She’s sharing how task cards can be a game-changer and practical strategies to set students up for math standardized testing success. Don’t miss this episode packed with insights to help you focus your prep where it matters most!
Episode Highlights
Some of the biggest challenges teachers face when preparing students for state standardized math tests
The MOST important thing to do in order to prep your students for the test
How to keep students engaged and motivated during test prep without it feeling repetitive or overwhelming
Quick and easy test prep strategies that teachers can implement right away

Connect with our guest:
Follow Cassi on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindsinbloom.tpt
Minds in Bloom Website
Resources and Links:
Blog Post - Episode 91
Math/ELA Membership mibunlimited.com
Let's Connect!
Listen/watch on Youtube
Shop TPT Resources
Instagram
Website
Join the Facebook Group
Mentioned in this episode:
Social Studies Guided Curriculum
Easy-to-follow lesson plans and activities for social studies - just print and teach! The complete bundles for Communities, Texas History, and U.S. History are available. Click the link to learn more!
Learn more about the Smart and Simple Social Studies Guided Curriculum!
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!
Learn more about the Back to School Social Studies Resource
...more
30min
March 03, 2025ELA Test Prep Strategies for Success with Custom Classroom by Angela
In Part 1 of our test prep series, we're joined by Angela of Custom Classroom by Angela to rethink what it really means to “teach to the test.”
She’s sharing strategies to make ELA test prep meaningful, engaging, and effective—without sacrificing great instruction. Tune in for actionable tips to help your students feel confident and ready for test day!
Episode Highlights
The toughest part of getting students ready for high-stakes ELA tests
Simple but effective ways teachers can help students understand how a test is structured so they feel confident going into test day
Easy ways teachers can help students break down and understand tough vocabulary
Best test-tasking strategies to "be smarter than the test"
Ways to can prep students without making it feel overwhelming
Steps to putting together a solid ELA test prep plan

Connect with our guest:
Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@customclassroombyangela
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/Custom-Classroom-By-Angela/61550264731197/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/customclassroombyangela/
Resources and Links:
Blog Post - Episode 90
Best selling ELA Test Prep Bundle https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/STAAR-ELA-Reading-Test-Prep-Passages-Comprehension-Questions-3rd-4th-5th-Grade-4489775
4 Week Boot Camp video https://youtu.be/NRSFGTremYY?si=3c3Bpv1whZSqfdjN
Let's Connect!
Listen/watch on Youtube
Shop TPT Resources
Instagram
Website
Join the Facebook Group
Mentioned in this episode:
Social Studies Guided Curriculum
Easy-to-follow lesson plans and activities for social studies - just print and teach! The complete bundles for Communities, Texas History, and U.S. History are available. Click the link to learn more!
Learn more about the Smart and Simple Social Studies Guided Curriculum!
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!
Learn more about the Back to School Social Studies Resource
...more
53min

FAQs about The Social Studies Teacher Podcast:

How many episodes does The Social Studies Teacher Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 111 episodes available.