The Social Studies Teacher Podcast

Kirsten Hammond, The Southern Teach LLC
  • 4.8 (6)
  • COURSES
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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!

  1. DEC 15

    Teaching About Current Events | Helping Students Make Sense of the World Around Them

    How can you help students understand what’s happening in the world (without overwhelming them)? In this episode, we’re diving into how to teach current events in the classroom in an age-appropriate, engaging, and meaningful way. You’ll learn practical strategies for connecting real-world news to social studies standards while helping students build critical-thinking and empathy skills. In this episode, you’ll learn: ✅ Why teaching current events matters for social studies and citizenship ✅ Common challenges (and how to handle them) ✅ Recommendations for kid-friendly news sources ✅ Ways to connect headlines to history, geography, and culture ✅ How to use videos, podcasts, and visuals to make the news come alive 💡 Perfect for: Upper elementary and middle school social studies teachersClassrooms with limited time for social studiesTeachers who want to foster curiosity and civic awareness Even short, structured current-events discussions can help your students think critically, stay informed, and see the connections between history and the present day. Action Tip: Pick one kid-friendly news story this week and bring it into your classroom, and see how your students connect and engage! Related Links: Blog Post: Episode 117 Recommended Resources: Recommended Current Events Sources: CNN 10 https://www.youtube.com/cnn10 Scholastic News https://classroommagazines.scholastic.com/ Newsla https://newsela.com/ Time for Kids https://www.timeforkids.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! Get the Winter Holidays + Christmas Around the World Units! Winter Holiday 3-week Unit https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Winter-Holidays-Around-the-World-Unit-Activities-Social-Studies-Mini-Lessons-14563801 Christmas Around the World 3-week Unit https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Christmas-Holidays-Around-the-World-Unit-Activities-Social-Studies-Mini-Lessons-14563832

    19 min

  2. NOV 24

    10K Downloads!! Top 10 Social Studies Teacher Podcast Episodes Special

    🎉 10K DOWNLOADS! I can’t believe The Social Studies Teacher Podcast has officially hit this milestone - all thanks to YOU! To celebrate, I’m counting down the Top 10 most downloaded episodes of the podcast — the ones you’ve loved, shared, and replayed the most. These episodes are packed with practical tips and real-classroom ideas to make social studies engaging, meaningful, and low-prep. 👩‍🏫 In this special episode, you’ll hear: The most popular topics teachers keep coming back toQuick takeaways from each episodeWhy these lessons continue to inspire upper elementary classrooms Whether you’re new to the podcast or a longtime listener, this is the perfect place to start! 📲 Listen to the full episodes: The Social Studies Teacher Podcast: https://pod.link/1692254335 🎧 Links to the Top 10 Episodes: https://thesouthernteach.com/blog/cultural-sensitivity-during-the-holiday-season/ https://thesouthernteach.com/blog/social-studies-lesson-key-components/ https://thesouthernteach.com/blog/social-studies-interactive-notebooks/ https://thesouthernteach.com/blog/challenges-social-studies-teachers/ https://thesouthernteach.com/blog/social-studies-pacing-guide/ https://thesouthernteach.com/blog/teaching-social-studies-priority/ https://thesouthernteach.com/blog/first-week-of-school/ https://thesouthernteach.com/blog/engaging-social-studies-lessons/ https://thesouthernteach.com/blog/podcast-for-educators/ https://thesouthernteach.com/blog/fun-social-studies-activities/ If you’ve found the podcast helpful, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a teacher friend who loves social studies! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-social-studies-teacher-podcast/id1692254335 Mentioned in this episode: Get the Winter Holidays + Christmas Around the World Units! Winter Holiday 3-week Unit https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Winter-Holidays-Around-the-World-Unit-Activities-Social-Studies-Mini-Lessons-14563801 Christmas Around the World 3-week Unit https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Christmas-Holidays-Around-the-World-Unit-Activities-Social-Studies-Mini-Lessons-14563832 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!

    18 min

  3. NOV 10

    4 Ways to Make the Holidays Inclusive

    Holidays can be a magical time in the classroom, but they can also be tricky to navigate. In this episode, I’m sharing 4 practical ways to make your holiday lessons more inclusive, culturally responsive, and welcoming for every student. You’ll learn how to celebrate the season while respecting the diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and traditions your students bring to class. In this episode, you’ll discover how to: ✅ Shift from “holiday parties” to cultural learning experiences ✅ Include global celebrations in your lessons ✅ Encourage student voice and family traditions ✅ Use reflection and connection instead of comparison These ideas are easy to implement, low-prep, and perfect for upper elementary classrooms, especially if you want to build community and cultural understanding during the winter months. Related Blog Post: https://thesouthernteach.com/blog/cultural-sensitivity-during-the-holiday-season/ Explore more classroom-ready holiday resources: ❄️ Winter Holidays Around the World Unit: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Winter-Holidays-Around-the-World-Unit-Activities-Social-Studies-Mini-Lessons-14563801 🎄 Christmas Around the World Unit: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Christmas-Holidays-Around-the-World-Unit-Activities-Social-Studies-Mini-Lessons-14563832 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! Get the Winter Holidays + Christmas Around the World Units! Winter Holiday 3-week Unit https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Winter-Holidays-Around-the-World-Unit-Activities-Social-Studies-Mini-Lessons-14563801 Christmas Around the World 3-week Unit https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Christmas-Holidays-Around-the-World-Unit-Activities-Social-Studies-Mini-Lessons-14563832

    10 min

  4. OCT 27

    8 Winter Holidays to Teach to Your Students

    Bring global celebrations to life in your classroom this season! 🌎✨ In this episode, I’m sharing 8 winter holidays celebrated around the world that are perfect for teaching cultural awareness, geography, and world traditions — all while keeping your students engaged and inspired. These holidays span from October through January and include hands-on classroom ideas you can use right away. 🎉 Here’s what we’ll explore: 1️⃣ Diwali 2️⃣ Día de los Muertos 3️⃣ Hanukkah 4️⃣ Las Posadas 5️⃣ Christmas 6️⃣ Kwanzaa 7️⃣ New Year’s Eve/Day 8️⃣ Three Kings Day/Epiphany Perfect for: Upper elementary teachers (Grades 3–5) looking for multicultural holiday lessons, social studies activities, or winter-themed projects that go beyond Christmas. Resources Mentioned: Blog Post - Episode 114 🕯️ Winter Holidays Around the World Unit 🎄 Christmas Around the World Unit 📖 The Night of Las Posadas by Tomie DePaola 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! Get the Winter Holidays + Christmas Around the World Units! Winter Holiday 3-week Unit https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Winter-Holidays-Around-the-World-Unit-Activities-Social-Studies-Mini-Lessons-14563801 Christmas Around the World 3-week Unit https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Christmas-Holidays-Around-the-World-Unit-Activities-Social-Studies-Mini-Lessons-14563832

    21 min

  5. OCT 13

    5 Key Components Every Social Studies Lesson Needs

    Planning social studies lessons doesn’t have to be stressful! In this episode, I’m walking you through 5 key components every social studies lesson needs to keep students engaged and learning - without adding extra prep time. This is a remix episode that includes a brand new lesson example on the Thirteen colonies! Whether you’re teaching about the Thirteen Colonies, U.S. History, or any other topic, you’ll learn how to: ✅ Write clear and student-friendly learning objectives ✅ Start with an engaging hook or question ✅ Incorporate active learning and collaboration ✅ Use primary sources and real-world connections ✅ End with meaningful reflection and assessment These strategies work for upper elementary social studies, including 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade — and you can easily adapt them for any unit. Resources Mentioned: Blog post Course: Social Studies Simplified Learning Intentions Posters Thirteen Colonies Unit Let's Connect! Listen/watch on Youtube Shop TPT Resources Instagram Website Join the Facebook Group Mentioned in this episode: Get the Winter Holidays + Christmas Around the World Units! Winter Holiday 3-week Unit https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Winter-Holidays-Around-the-World-Unit-Activities-Social-Studies-Mini-Lessons-14563801 Christmas Around the World 3-week Unit https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Christmas-Holidays-Around-the-World-Unit-Activities-Social-Studies-Mini-Lessons-14563832 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!

    18 min

  6. SEP 29

    5 Strategies to Keep Students Engaged During History Videos

    Raise your hand if you’ve ever shown a history video or documentary in class… only to see your students zoning out after 15 minutes. Yup, I've been there! Today’s students are used to short-form, high-stimulation content like TikTok and YouTube shorts, so long educational films can feel slow, even when the content is great. In this video, I’ll share 5 practical strategies to keep your students engaged and actually learning from videos in social studies and history. 👉 Here’s what you’ll learn: Purposeful Viewing Guides Pause and DiscussActive Note-Taking Structures Movement and Roles Creative Post-Video Activities Whether you’re teaching American history, state history, or world cultures, these tips will help your students focus, engage, and remember what they watch. Blog Post - Episode 112 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! Get the Winter Holidays + Christmas Around the World Units! Winter Holiday 3-week Unit https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Winter-Holidays-Around-the-World-Unit-Activities-Social-Studies-Mini-Lessons-14563801 Christmas Around the World 3-week Unit https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Christmas-Holidays-Around-the-World-Unit-Activities-Social-Studies-Mini-Lessons-14563832

    17 min

  7. SEP 15

    Make Learning Stick: 4 Easy Spiral Review Ideas for Social Studies

    Ever taught a unit in September only to realize your students barely remember it by March? 😩 You’re not alone! That’s where spiral learning comes in. In this episode, I’ll show you what spiraling is, why it works, and 4 practical strategies you can use in social studies (and beyond) to help knowledge stick. 👉 Here’s what we’ll cover: What is Spiraling? Why Spiraling is Important 4 Easy Strategies you can do ASAP With a little planning, your students won’t just learn it and lose it — they’ll carry that knowledge with them all year long. Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Free Social Studies Guided Lessons Daily Passage Bundle for Social Studies World Cultures Curriculum Blog Post - Episode 111 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! Get the Winter Holidays + Christmas Around the World Units! Winter Holiday 3-week Unit https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Winter-Holidays-Around-the-World-Unit-Activities-Social-Studies-Mini-Lessons-14563801 Christmas Around the World 3-week Unit https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Christmas-Holidays-Around-the-World-Unit-Activities-Social-Studies-Mini-Lessons-14563832

    17 min

  8. SEP 13 · BONUS

    Major Updates to the Texas Social Studies TEKS: What K–8 Teachers Need to Know

    In this bonus episode of The Social Studies Teacher Podcast, I’m giving you a timely update on some major news out of Texas. The State Board of Education has officially voted on big changes to the K–8 Social Studies TEKS, shifting to a chronological approach and creating a brand-new framework for how we teach history, geography, government, and culture. It is expected that these standards are put into effect beginning 2030. I’ll walk you through: The highlights of the SBOE’s September 2025 meetingHow each grade (K–8) will change under the new proposalThe move from 8 strands down to 5 strandsThe timeline for implementation (likely 2030)What this means for your classroom right now If you’re a Texas teacher (or just curious about curriculum changes), this episode will help you feel prepared and confident. And don’t worry- my Smart & Simple Social Studies resources are fully aligned with the current TEKS, and I’ll continue to update everything when the time comes! Let's Connect! Listen/watch on Youtube Shop TPT Resources Instagram Website Join the Facebook Group Mentioned in this episode: Get the Winter Holidays + Christmas Around the World Units! Winter Holiday 3-week Unit https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Winter-Holidays-Around-the-World-Unit-Activities-Social-Studies-Mini-Lessons-14563801 Christmas Around the World 3-week Unit https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Christmas-Holidays-Around-the-World-Unit-Activities-Social-Studies-Mini-Lessons-14563832 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!

    20 min
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About

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!

Information

  • Creator
    Kirsten Hammond, The Southern Teach LLC
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    120
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 Kirsten Hammond, The Southern Teach LLC
  • Show Website
    The Social Studies Teacher Podcast