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 112 episodes available.

The Social Studies Teacher Podcast episodes:

August 05, 20246 Fun and Engaging Class Meeting Ideas
Using morning meeting every day can be an important tool in building social emotional learning skills. And even though it's only a short time each day, it can make a lasting impact at how students interact with others. Today I'm sharing 6 fresh ideas for your morning meeting block.
Episode Highlights
Slideshows
Question of the day
Spreading out
Scavenger hunts
Kahoot
Student spotlight

Resources and Recommended Links
Morning Meeting Slides
Morning Meeting Discussion Cards
Star Student Compliment Book
Check out my classroom community FREE podcast series
Blog Post - Episode 60
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
16min
July 29, 2024Smart and Simple Social Studies Membership Q&A
Today I'm answering all the questions you might have about the Smart and Simple Social Studies Membership. Here's a peek into what I'll be answering in this week's episode!
What is Smart and Simple Social Studies?
Are the resources standards-based?
Who can join Smart and Simple Social Studies?
What is included in the Texas/TEKS membership option?
Can the resources be used for students who are not in 3rd-5th grade?
I am a parent of a 3rd-5th grader wanting to utilize these resources at home. Would this membership work for me?
Is Smart and Simple Social Studies a professional and researched-based company?
How do I access the Smart and Simple Social Studies membership?
I have a social studies curriculum that I’m required to use. Will I benefit from this membership?
I already have some social studies resources in your TPT store. Will this membership still be useful for me?
What is the refund and cancellation policy?

Resources and Links
Join the Membership!
Multiple Teacher License Discounts
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
26min
July 22, 2024New Changes to the TEKS Social Studies Standards in 2024
In November of 2022, the State Board of Education in Texas approved significant revisions to the Social Studies Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for implementation in the 2024-2025 school year.
Let’s dive into what’s changing, what’s staying the same, and how you can implement these standards in your classroom.
Episode Highlights
What was the focus of the social studies TEKS revisions?
Are there any major changes in the social studies TEKS for 2024?
SS TEKS additions and changes for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade
Ideas to implement social studies TEKS changes
How the Smart and Simple Social Studies Guided Curriculum can help

Resources and Links
Source: https://tea.texas.gov/academics/subject-areas/social-studies
Join the Social Studies Bootcamp
Watch the YouTube video
Using Primary Sources Blog Post
Using Secondary Sources Blog Post
Blog Post - Episode 58
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
July 15, 20245 Social Studies Activity Ideas for the 2nd Week of School
Once you've established rules and routines and built that important classroom community, it's time to move into teaching social studies curriculum!
Today's episode shares 5 activities you can use in this important transitional time that takes place around the 2nd week of school.
Episode Highlights
Create a classroom map
My place in the world
Community puzzle
Map challenge
Landmark Pictionary

Resources and Links
Blog Post - Episode 57
Back to School Social Studies Pack
Multiple Intelligences Book Companion
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
16min
July 08, 20245 Social Studies Activity Ideas for the 1st Week of School
If you're starting to make plans for the start of the next school year, this episode is for you!
These 5 activities are related to community building since you're getting to know your students, probably not necessarily diving right into your social studies curriculum.
We'll talk about great icebreaker activities and ways to build a positive classroom community in your homeroom or your social studies classroom.
Episode Highlights
Community Bingo
Mapping My Summer
GeoTag Icebreaker
Classroom Timeline
Classroom Constitution

Resources and Links
Blog Post - Episode 56
Back to School Social Studies Pack
Our Class is a Family Book Companion
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
16min
July 01, 2024Social Studies Summer Series Part 5: How to Teach Economics Skills
This is part 5 of the Social Studies Summer Series!
Teaching economics and the free enterprise system to upper elementary can seem like something that is a Herculean task.
With the right approach, and with the right resources, it can be both engaging and educational.
By breaking down complex concepts into simple steps, and hands-on activities engaging activities, you can empower your students to understand the fundamentals of economics and how they apply to the world around them.
Let's talk about ways you can effectively teach economics and the free enterprise system in the classroom!
Episode Highlights
Start with the basics
Make it interactive
Use visual aids
Explore real-world examples
Promote critical thinking
Connect to current events
Encourage collaboration

Resources and Links
Economics Daily Passages
Social Studies Daily Passage Bundle
Smart and Simple Social Studies Membership Waitlist
Blog Post - Episode 55
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
June 24, 2024Social Studies Summer Series Part 4: How to Teach Government/Civics Skills
This is part 4 of the Social Studies Summer Series! Here are some simple steps to help you effectively teach government and civics skills to your 3rd, 4th, and 5th-grade students.
Episode Highlights
Starting with the basics
Using real-life examples
Leveraging interactive activities
Incorporating multimedia resources
Connecting with community resources
Encouraging critical thinking
Promoting active citizenship
Reflecting and assessing
Making it fun

Resources and Links
Check out my government and civics daily passages!
CNN10 is a great resource for this age!
Blog Post - Episode 54

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
14min
June 17, 2024Social Studies Summer Series Part 3: How to Teach Culture and Society Skills
Understanding different cultures is important in our world today. As teachers, we play a big role in helping students appreciate and learn about diverse traditions, celebrations, art, literature, science, technology, and society.
This is part 3 of the Social Studies Summer Series, where you will learn some easy steps with activities and examples to help you teach culture and related topics to 3rd-5th grade students!
Episode Highlights
Knowing yourself and your students
Creating a welcoming classroom
Using stories and personal experiences
Incorporating hands-on activities
Exploring with technology
Getting involved
Assessing understanding

Resources and Links
Check out the comparing celebrations project!
Check out my culture and society daily passages!
Blog Post - Episode 53

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
June 10, 2024Social Studies Summer Series Part 2: How to Teach History Skills
This is part 2 of the SS Summer Series! Here are some straightforward tips, along with fun activities, to help 3rd-5th graders master history skills.
Episode Highlights
Connecting history to today
Diving into primary sources
Exploring like detectives
Bringing history to life
Thinking critically
Reflecting on lessons learned

Resources and Links
Check out my history daily passages
Blog Post - Episode 52

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
11min
June 03, 2024Social Studies Summer Series Part 1: How to Teach Geography Skills
This is part 1 of the 5-part Social Studies Summer Series! Today's episode is full of tips on how to make geography fun and understandable for students in upper elementary.
Episode Highlights
Back to basics
Making it relevant
Learning about different cultures
Using technology
Encouraging questions
Connecting with other subjects
Practicing map skills
Understanding the world
My favorite geography activity ideas

Resources and Links
Check out the Create A Country Project
Check out the Geography Daily Passages
Blog Post - Episode 51
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
18min

FAQs about The Social Studies Teacher Podcast:

How many episodes does The Social Studies Teacher Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 112 episodes available.