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PODCAST

The Social Studies Teacher Podcast

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 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

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All Episodes

10:53

Your Slideshow Is NOT Your Lesson: Turn Information...

The Social Studies Teacher Podcast ·

2026/10/05

A slideshow can help you teach social studies, but simply presenting information does not guarantee students are actually learning it.In Part 2 of the PD Series, we are breaking down how to turn an informational slideshow into a complete lesson.You’ll learn a simple lesson structure that includes:A clear learning objectiveFocused direct instructionOpportunities for student discussionMeaningful practiceA quick check for understandingWe will also talk about how to avoid rushing through too much

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12:05

Are You Overcomplicating Social Studies? 5 Things You...

The Social Studies Teacher Podcast ·

2026/09/28

Social studies does not have to be complicated to be meaningful.In Part 1 of this special PD series, we'll talk about five things teachers can stop doing to make social studies instruction simpler and more manageable. From trying to make every lesson exciting to grading every single assignment, we will look at common habits that can create extra work without necessarily improving student learning.In this episode, you’ll learn how to:Simplify your lesson planningChoose fewer, more purposeful

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21:17

Differentiating Social Studies: Real Teacher...

The Social Studies Teacher Podcast ·

2026/08/17

Differentiating social studies can feel overwhelming - especially when you're trying to support struggling readers, English learners, students with accommodations, and advanced learners in the same classroom.But differentiation doesn't have to mean creating a completely different lesson for every student.In this episode, I'm breaking down what teachers say they're actually struggling with when differentiating social studies and sharing practical ways to make lessons more accessible without removing

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21:21

10 Must-Have Teacher Supplies for the Upper...

The Social Studies Teacher Podcast ·

2026/07/15

Quick note: This episode is a repost, but it’s perfect to revisit as you start thinking about back-to-school prep, classroom setup and the supplies that actually make teaching easier.Are you ready to refresh your teacher supply list?In this episode, I’m sharing 10 of my favorite teacher supplies for the upper elementary classroom. These are simple, practical items that can help you stay organized, keep students engaged and make your lessons run more smoothly throughout the year.Whether you are a

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23:31

5 Mistakes New Social Studies Teachers Make (and How...

The Social Studies Teacher Podcast ·

2026/07/08

Teaching social studies for the first time? You're not alone, and you definitely don't have to figure it all out by yourself.In this episode, I'm sharing the five biggest mistakes I made as a new social studies teacher (and the same mistakes I see many teachers make today). More importantly, I'll show you simple, practical solutions that you can implement before the first day of school.Whether you've been assigned a new grade level, don't have a curriculum, or simply want to feel more confident

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16:42

Social Studies Summer Series Day 5: How to Teach...

The Social Studies Teacher Podcast ·

2026/06/19

Quick note: This episode is a repost, but it’s a great one to revisit as you plan ways to make economics and free enterprise easier for students to understand.Welcome to Part 5 of the Social Studies Summer Series!In this episode, we’re talking all about how to teach economics skills and the free enterprise system in upper elementary. Economics can feel like a big, overwhelming topic at first, but it does not have to be complicated.With the right approach, you can break down concepts like goods,

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14:24

Social Studies Summer Series Day 4: How to Teach...

The Social Studies Teacher Podcast ·

2026/06/18

Quick note: This episode is a repost, but it’s a helpful one to revisit as you plan simple ways to make government and civics easier for students to understand.Welcome to Part 4 of the Social Studies Summer Series!In this episode, we’re talking about how to teach government and civics skills to 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students in a way that feels clear, practical and engaging.Government can sometimes feel like a big topic for upper elementary students, but it becomes much easier when we connect it to

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16:17

Social Studies Summer Series Day 3: How to Teach...

The Social Studies Teacher Podcast ·

2026/06/17

Quick note: This episode is a repost, but it’s a great one to revisit as you plan meaningful ways to help students learn about culture, community and the world around them.Welcome to Part 3 of the Social Studies Summer Series!In this episode, we’re focusing on how to teach culture and society skills to upper-elementary and middle-school students. Understanding different cultures is such an important part of social studies because it helps students learn about traditions, celebrations, art,

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11:49

Social Studies Summer Series Day 2: How to Teach...

The Social Studies Teacher Podcast ·

2026/06/16

Quick note: This episode is a repost, but it’s a great one to revisit as you plan simple, engaging ways to help students build stronger history skills.Welcome to Part 2 of the Social Studies Summer Series!In this episode, we’re talking all about how to teach history skills in a way that feels meaningful and engaging for upper elementary and middle school students. History is more than memorizing dates and people from the past. It’s about helping students make connections, ask questions and

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17:44

Social Studies Summer Series Day 1: How to Teach...

The Social Studies Teacher Podcast ·

2026/06/15

Quick note: This episode is a repost, but it’s the perfect one to revisit during summer planning as you think about how to make geography more engaging and easier for students to understand.Welcome to Part 1 of the 5-part Social Studies Summer Series!In this episode, we’re going back to the basics of teaching geography skills in upper elementary. Geography can sometimes feel like it’s all about memorizing maps, places and vocabulary, but it can be so much more than that.I’ll share simple ways to

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13:31

5 Steps to the Ultimate Summer Prep

The Social Studies Teacher Podcast ·

2026/06/05

Summer is the perfect time to reset, reflect and get ahead before the back-to-school rush begins.In this episode, I’m sharing five simple steps to help you prep for social studies without spending your entire summer planning. You’ll learn how to organize your resources, look ahead at your standards, map out your first few units, create a simple routine and set yourself up for a smoother school year.Whether you have a full social studies block or just a few minutes a day, this episode will help you

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19:34

No Curriculum? No Problem! How to Teach Social...

The Social Studies Teacher Podcast ·

2026/04/27

Have you ever been told you're teaching social studies… but given absolutely nothing to work with?No textbook. No pacing guide. No curriculum map.In this video, I’m walking you through exactly how to teach social studies without a curriculum- and still create structured, engaging, and meaningful lessons your students will love.Whether your district is in transition, resources are limited, or you're expected to build from the standards, this video will give you a clear system you can actually use.In

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14:12

How to Help Students Think Like Historians | Teaching...

The Social Studies Teacher Podcast ·

2026/03/09

History lessons often focus on dates, events, and timelines. But when students understand why events happened, history begins to make sense!In this video, we explore practical strategies for helping students think like historians by focusing on cause and effect, perspectives, evidence, and historical reasoning.This episode walks through several ways to shift your instruction from teaching only the “what” of history to helping students understand the deeper reasons behind historical events.In this

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18:33

4 Tips for Teaching Famous Figures Year-Round | Make...

The Social Studies Teacher Podcast ·

2026/02/16

Do you save teaching about famous figures for one unit or month...and then move on? Let’s change that.In this video, you’ll learn 4 easy ways to teach famous figures year-round so biographies feel meaningful, connected, and engaging. When students see diverse leaders, thinkers, and changemakers woven throughout your lessons, history comes alive all year long.🎯 In this video:✅ How to choose historical figures with purpose and diversity✅ Ways to set historical context before introducing a person✅

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17:58

Texas SBOE Jan 2026 Updates - Social Studies Topics...

The Social Studies Teacher Podcast ·

2026/02/08

I spent over 9 hours listening to the SBOE meeting, so you don't have to! In this bonus audio-only episode, I share with you takeaways and recaps (with my opinions sprinkled in) as a new social studies framework is being constructed for K-12 in the state of Texas. The new TEKS will not be into effect until the 2030-2031 school year, but it's important to keep an eye on the process before it is too late to make changes. Action Steps you can take to help make the standards the best they can be:Join a

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20:07

Building Literacy Skills Through Social Studies -...

The Social Studies Teacher Podcast ·

2026/01/19

In this video, you’ll learn practical ways to strengthen literacy skills through social studies instruction. Discover how reading, writing, and critical thinking strategies can help students better understand complex topics, analyze information, and make meaningful connections to history, geography, and culture.In this video:How to integrate reading and writing into social studies lessonsStrategies for analyzing texts, maps, and primary sourcesWays to encourage evidence-based discussions and written

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18:19

Getting to Know Your Students - 9 Common Classroom...

The Social Studies Teacher Podcast ·

2026/01/05

Every classroom is full of unique personalities - and understanding how your students think, learn, and interact can make all the difference.In this video, we’ll explore 9 common student personalities you’re likely to meet in your classroom and share practical tips for supporting each one. From the quiet observer to the natural leader, you’ll walk away with new insights and strategies to help every learner succeed.What you'll learn:Personality 1 - The PerfectionistPersonality 2 - The People

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18:51

Teaching About Current Events | Helping Students Make...

The Social Studies Teacher Podcast ·

2025/12/15

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

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18:15

10K Downloads!! Top 10 Social Studies Teacher Podcast...

The Social Studies Teacher Podcast ·

2025/11/24

🎉 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

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10:23

4 Ways to Make the Holidays Inclusive

The Social Studies Teacher Podcast ·

2025/11/10

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

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