The Social Studies Teacher Podcast

By Kirsten Hammond, The Southern Teach LLC

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 ... 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 135 episodes available.

The Social Studies Teacher Podcast episodes:

August 26, 20244 Classroom Read-Aloud Tips for Grades 3-5
Rich, thought-provoking discussions are in your future because this year class read-alouds are IN for upper elementary students. In this episode I'm sharing all my tips for class read-alouds with big kids.
Episode Highlights
How to choose the right text
The importance of previewing a text
Guided class discussion tips
Wrapping up the learning activity

Resources and Links
My Favorite Read Alouds
Blog Post - Episode 63
Let's Connect!
Listen/watch on YouTube
Shop TPT Resources
Instagram
Website
Amazon
Mentioned in this episode:
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!
Learn more about the Back to School Social Studies Resource
...more
12min
August 19, 2024Using Bell-Ringers and Warm Ups in Grades 3-5
Those first 10-15 minutes of the block are so important. Let's talk about my favorite ways to make the most of the classroom warm-up time.
Episode Highlights
What are warmups
Why warmups help
How to use warmups
How to prep for warmups
Some resources I love for the warmup block

Resources and Links
Social Studies Daily Passage Warmups
3rd Grade Daily Language Warmups
4th Grade ELA Spiral Review Warmups
5th Grade Daily Language Warmups
Blog Post - Episode 62
Let's Connect!
Listen/watch on YouTube
Shop TPT Resources
Instagram
Website
Amazon
Mentioned in this episode:
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!
Learn more about the Back to School Social Studies Resource
...more
17min
August 12, 2024Breaking Down the TEKS: Texas Social Studies Standards for Grades 3-5
If reading the newly updated TEKS is making your head spin, let's break it down together and make a game plan before the new school year begins.
Episode Highlights
When the new updates go into effect
Topics we MUST cover
Topics we CAN cover if time allows
Breaking down the 8 strands
How to support STAAR testing at the secondary levels

Resources and Links
Additional reading on this topic is available on the TEA website
For more information about the 2024 update, here is a helpful YouTube video:
Blog Post - Episode 61
Let's Connect!
Listen/watch on YouTube
Shop TPT Resources
Instagram
Website
Amazon
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
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
...more
20min
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
Amazon
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
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
...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
Amazon
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
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
...more
29min
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
Amazon
Mentioned in this episode:
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!
Learn more about the Back to School Social Studies Resource
...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
Amazon
Mentioned in this episode:
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!
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
Amazon
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
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
...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
Amazon
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
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
...more
20min
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
Amazon
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
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
...more
14min

FAQs about The Social Studies Teacher Podcast:

How many episodes does The Social Studies Teacher Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 135 episodes available.