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:

February 24, 2025 Try this Fun Social Studies Activity Before Spring Break!
This episode is all about turning review time into game time, with a social studies activity that’s both educational and entertaining. Let’s dive in and talk about how to keep your students learning and having fun right before spring break!
Resources and Links
Blog Post - Episode 89
EduAide.Ai
Digital Jeopardy Templates
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
15min
February 17, 20256 Ways to Engage Students Through Hands-On Social Studies Projects and Activities
If you’ve ever wondered how to make your lessons more engaging and memorable, you’re in the right place! In this episode, I’ll share creative strategies like using historical fiction, debates, and interactive timelines to help your students connect with the content, encourage active learning, and even develop empathy for the people and events they’re studying.
Episode Highlights
Bringing history to life with historical fiction
Sparking engagement with debates on historical and cultural topics
Creating interactive timelines
Designing cultural exploration projects
Engaging with primary sources and mock scenarios
Building hands-on geography projects

Resources and Links
Blog Post - Episode 88
Using Timelines in Social Studies
Library of Congress - Primary Sources
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
17min
February 10, 20253 Important Things to Teach Upper Elementary Students about Black History Month
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.
Episode Highlights
Black History Is American History
Highlight Unsung Heroes and Everyday Stories
Explore Black Culture Beyond Struggle

Resources and Links
Blog Post - Episode 87
My Black History Month unit has all of these elements ready to go for you - check it out here
Try the Webquest about the Civil Rights Movement here
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
13min
February 03, 2025What if I Get it Wrong? Tips to Teach Sensitive Social Studies Topics
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.
Episode Highlights
Why Teaching Sensitive Topics Matters
Acknowledge Your Fears and Do the Prep Work
Create a Safe Space for Discussion
Strategies for Teaching Sensitive Topics
Addressing Mistakes and Feedback
Teaching Without Fear

Resources and Links
Blog Post - Episode 86
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/the-southern-teach
https://thesouthernteach.com/blog/primary-sources/
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
16min
January 27, 2025 A Behind the Scenes Look at the Smart and Simple Social Studies Guided Curriculum
Take a look inside my guided curriculum today. I'll be sharing characteristics of each 36-week program, student and teacher features available (and what makes the guided curriculum SO great), some reviews from teachers who use this curriculum, and also a sneak peek of what related products are coming soon!
Resources and Links
Blog Post - Episode 85
3rd Grade Communities Guided Curriculum
4th Grade Texas History Guided Curriculum
5th Grade U.S. History Guided Curriculum
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
29min
January 20, 20255 Fun Book Project Ideas for Upper Elementary
Book projects don't just help students learn, they inspire them to explore, create and share their voices, and it's a great way to integrate ELA and social studies altogether. Let's explore 5 of my favorite project options!
Episode Highlights
What is a book project?
Why try book projects?
Ideas your students will love
Why book projects work
Book recommendations for upper elementary projects
Tips for success with book projects

Resources and Links
Blog Post - Episode 84
Chapter Book Series Recommendations
Using Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom
Multiple Intelligences Choice Boards
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
16min
January 13, 2025 4 PBL Project Ideas That Your Students Will LOVE
Engagement, assessments, and more - here are 4 PBL project ideas that you won't want to miss!
Resources and Links
Blog Post - Episode 83
Create a Map Project - Map and Globes Unit
Adventuring Budgeting Project - Ways to Earn Money Unit
Mission and Presidio Project - Early Texas Settlements Unit
American Revolution Quilt Project - American Revolution Unit
Register for the Winter Education Summit!
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
January 06, 2025Why Reviews Matter: Unlocking the Benefits of Leaving Feedback on TPT
Leaving a review on Teachers Pay Teachers (TPT) isn’t just about giving feedback; it’s a simple way to support other educators, improve your own resource library, and earn some nice perks along the way! Here’s a quick guide to the benefits of leaving reviews, how to do it, and why it’s worth your time.
Episode Highlights
benefits of leaving reviews on TPT
how to leave a review on TPT
perks of leaving reviews
tips for writing an effective TPT review

Resources and Links
Blog Post - Episode 82
Leave a review on TPT
Review The Southern Teach TPT resources
Leave a review on my Website Store
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
15min
December 30, 2024Fun Facts and Surprising Stories: 4 Steps to Hooking Students on Social Studies
Incorporating humor, weird facts, and unexpected historical tidbits might be the secret sauce for student engagement!
Fun, surprising stories about historical events or people can be an effective way to capture attention and foster curiosity in social studies. This episode is filled with examples to help you plan for the new year in a fresh way.
Episode Highlights
Start with weird or surprising facts
Use humor to humanize historical figures
Tie surprising stories to key concepts

Resources and Links
Blog Post - Episode 81
Paul Revere's Ride
Project Choice Board Ideas
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
10min
December 23, 2024How I Gained Confidence in Teaching Tricky Social Studies Topics
In this episode, I’ll share my personal journey as a 5th-grade teacher who felt intimidated by certain social studies topics that I wasn’t familiar or confident in teaching. I'll discuss the anxiety of potentially giving incorrect information and how it impacted my approach to teaching these subjects.
You’ll hear about the steps I took to overcome that fear, including the resources I used, the importance of continued learning, and how I built the confidence to teach topics I once avoided.
This episode will help fellow teachers feel empowered to tackle those intimidating subjects and give practical tips on how to handle tough content, ensuring you and your students succeed!
Episode Highlights
The anxiety of teaching what you don't know
How I started building confidence
Building confidence over time
Practical tips for teaching tough topics

Resources and Links
Blog Post - Episode 80
How to Teach Using Timelines
How to Use Primary Sources
Facebook Group - Upper Elementary Social Studies Teachers
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
15min

FAQs about The Social Studies Teacher Podcast:

How many episodes does The Social Studies Teacher Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 111 episodes available.