The Blog
Welcome to The Southern Teach blog! I love sharing strategies and ideas with others! Here on the blog you’ll find a variety of tips and tools for upper elementary educators. Check out the recent posts or filter by category!
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Teaching in a Short Social Studies Block: Effective Strategies for Teaching in 10 or 20 Minutes
Teaching in a short social studies block can be challenging, but with the right strategies, you can still deliver impactful lessons and keep your students engaged. Whether you have just…
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6 Fun Lesson Ideas About the Presidential Election
As the 2024 presidential election approaches, have you thought about how to teach your students the ins and outs of this important event? I vividly remember participating in mock elections…
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Using the 8 Multiple Intelligences in the Elementary Classroom
As an upper elementary social studies teacher, you understand the importance of creating a classroom environment where every student feels valued and engaged. One powerful way to achieve this is…
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17 Fun Field Trip Ideas for Students in Texas
During a recent drive from Arkansas, we passed by the Audie Murphy Museum. It reminded me of the many cool educational places in Texas, and I wanted to share some…
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New Texas TEKS Social Studies Standards Changes in 2024
In November 2022, the Texas State Board of Education approved significant revisions to the Social Studies Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), set to be implemented in the 2024-2025 school…
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5 Fun Second Week of School Social Studies Activity Ideas
After a likely exhausting first week, where you were constantly teaching and reinforcing classroom rules, getting to know your students, and practicing routines, the second week provides an opportunity to…
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5 Fun First Week of School Social Studies Activity Ideas
Looking for some fun activity ideas for your upper elementary students for the first week of school? You’ll love these simple but easy-to-implement ways to get in the groove of…
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7 Tips and Activity Ideas for Teaching Economics Skills in Upper Elementary
Teaching economics skills might seem challenging, but with the right approach and resources, you can make it fun and educational. By breaking down complex ideas into simple steps and using…
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9 Tips and Activity Ideas for Teaching Government Skills in Upper Elementary
Teaching government skills and civics skills to upper elementary students can feel like a daunting task, especially if you’re not entirely confident in your own grasp of these topics. However,…
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7 Tips and Activity Ideas for Teaching Culture and Society Skills in Upper Elementary
As teachers, we play a crucial role in helping students appreciate and learn about diverse celebrations, customs, traditions, and the contributions of people to society through art, science, music, and…
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6 Engaging Tips and Activity Ideas for Teaching History Skills in Upper Elementary
Need some ideas on how to teach history skills to your 3rd-5th grade students? You’re in the right place! In this article, I’ll share tips and activity ideas to make…
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8 Tips and Activity Ideas for Teaching Geography Skills in Upper Elementary Students
Geography is more than just learning about maps; it’s about understanding how our world works and how people fit within it. Teaching geography to third, fourth, and fifth graders lays…
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6 Memorable Teaching Moments and Lessons Learned From Them
As the school year winds down, many teachers find themselves reflecting on their experiences, thinking about what went well and what didn’t, and questioning their career path. In this blog…
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Using Novel Studies to Teach Social Studies for Upper Elementary
If you’re an ELA and a social studies teacher or you teach ALL the subjects, it can be a little tricky trying to find the time to teach social studies.…
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I’M KIRSTEN
Welcome to the blog! I love helping upper elementary teachers by creating resources and sharing ideas that are engaging, research-based, and TEKS-aligned. If you’re looking for 3-5 classroom ideas teaching tips and resources, you’re in the right place!
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THE MEMBERSHIP
This exclusive membership for Grades 3-5 teachers will be primed to set you up for success with engaging and minimal-prep activities on multiple topics that are taught in upper elementary social studies. Minimize the prep time while maximizing meaningful (and fun) social studies learning opportunities with your students throughout the year!
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