4 Fantastic Hacks for Engaging Students in Social Studies
By Kirsten Hammond
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Social studies can be tough to teach. Engaging students in social studies can be even tougher. Certain topics are inevitable and just don’t naturally capture students’ interest. You know the unit you have to teach but secretly dread? We’ve all been there. Sometimes, try as we might, it is hard to jazz up early Texas colonization! Or maybe it’s another topic that just doesn’t seem exciting. If you teach social studies, you understand the struggle.
Make Boring Social Studies Units Fun and Engaging
The good news is, I am here to help! After years of teaching upper elementary social studies, I’ve found some simple hacks to make even the driest units fun. These hacks will be sure to engage students in whichever social studies unit you are teaching.
Looking for ready-to-go lessons? check out all of my social studies resources on my website and Teachers Pay Teachers (TpT). My materials are engaging, easy to use, and student-approved! Engaging students in social studies will be a breeze with my activities!
Try these 4 hacks below for engaging students in social studies!
Hack #1: Start with a Story
Students love stories. It doesn’t matter how old they are—storytelling works.
Instead of diving straight into facts and dates, start with an interesting narrative. Find a person, event, or surprising fact to hook their curiosity. Not sure how? I have a blog post all about engaging hooks. Check it out for more ideas!
If you can’t find a story, try humor! A funny or unexpected fact can grab their attention. Better yet, let students research and share what fun facts they can find. For example, did you know baseball was popular during World War I, both at home and overseas?
To learn more about hooking students into a topic using stories and other strategies be sure to check out this post. This is an easy segue into engaging students in social studies, depending on the topic!
Hack #2: Gamify the Content
Another idea for engaging students in social studies is to gamify the content. If students are tuning out, make it a game!
Adding an element of competition, or problem can instantly boost engagement.
Some ideas include:
- Scavenger hunts
- Trivia games
- Role-playing activities
Webquests are another great way for engaging students in social studies. They make students feel like detectives while practicing research and critical thinking skills. If you’d like to try it out, I have several ready-to-go webquests available.
You can even grab my full-year webquest bundle! If you’re interested in learning more about webquests, come visit my detailed post on how to use them in your classroom.
Hack #3: Use Primary Sources
A common mistake we make in social studies is relying too much on summaries and textbooks instead of letting students experience history for themselves. Textbooks tell students what happened, but primary sources let them experience history.
Instead of just reading about an event, let students analyze:
- Letters
- Photographs
- Documents
- Oral histories
Primary sources are the closest thing to time travel! They help students connect with history on a deeper level. Adding primary sources is a sure-fire way for engaging students in social studies units.
It can take a little extra effort to find great sources, but it’s worth it. Need help? I have another thorough post on how to find and use primary sources in your lessons.
Hack #4: Hands-On Projects
Another great way to make social studies more fun is to let students create something!
Hands-on projects make Social Studies tangible and memorable. Letting students have choices can also increase engagement.
Here are some ideas:
- Inquiry projects
- Artistic creations
- Research presentations
While you do need to take the time to set clear expectations and learning goals. A well-structured project boosts student learning and keeps them engaged.
Need inspiration? Check out my list of project ideas. All of the ideas outlined in this post can be adapted for any Social Studies unit. If you are short on time, I also have pre-made projects that are included in many of my full units!
Looking for even more ideas?
Many of my resources come with detailed blog posts that dive deeper into each activity, offering extra tips and creative ways to use them in your classroom. Browse through the blog for even more inspiration and helpful teaching strategies!
Try These Hacks in Your Next Social STudiesUnit!
Social studies doesn’t have to be boring. Give these 4 hacks for engaging students in social studies a try to increase engagement in your classes.
kirsten hammond
Kirsten is a former 3rd and 5th grade teacher who loves helping upper elementary teachers by creating resources and sharing ideas that are engaging, research-based, and TEKS-aligned. She is a work-from-home mama of 3 rambunctious little ones and loves running, true crime, and lots of coffee.
