Episode 105

Your Start-to-Finish Social Studies Plan

Published on: 23rd June, 2025

Feeling overwhelmed trying to fit social studies into your school year? In this episode, I’ll walk you through how to map out a yearlong pacing plan for upper elementary social studies - whether you teach geography, history, government, economics, or culture.

I’ll break it down quarter by quarter and show you how to plan realistically and effectively, even with limited time in your schedule.

📚 Perfect for 3rd–5th grade teachers who want:

  • A clear social studies pacing guide
  • Tips for balancing standards across the year
  • Real solutions that work in real classrooms

Links and Resources

Episode 105 - Blog Post

✅ Want a done-for-you pacing guide and resources? Check out my Smart and Simple Social Studies Guided Curriculum: https://thesouthernteach.com/social-studies-curriculum/

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

Transcript
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About the Podcast

The Social Studies Teacher Podcast
Social Studies Strategies, Tips, and Ideas for Upper Elementary and Middle School Teachers
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!