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 teachers
- Classrooms with limited time for social studies
- Teachers 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/
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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
