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Building Literacy Skills Through Social Studies - Reading and Writing Strategies
Episode 11919th January 2026 • The Social Studies Teacher Podcast • Kirsten Hammond, The Southern Teach LLC
00:00:00 00:20:07

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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:

  1. How to integrate reading and writing into social studies lessons
  2. Strategies for analyzing texts, maps, and primary sources
  3. Ways to encourage evidence-based discussions and written responses
  4. Ideas to promote critical thinking and comprehension across content areas

Teaching Tips:

  1. Use short nonfiction passages to build content knowledge
  2. Incorporate writing prompts tied to historical or civic themes
  3. Model how to cite evidence from social studies texts
  4. Pair literacy centers with map skills or document analysis activities

Resources Mentioned:

Download the free week of map skills: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/FREE-Social-Studies-Map-and-Globe-Skills-Cardinal-and-Intermediate-Directions-7994399

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Join Teacher Winter Talks 2026!

If February feels heavy and you’re just trying to make it to spring, you’re not alone. Teacher Winter Talks is a free, audio-only event for K–5 teachers who are worn out, overwhelmed, and very done pretending everything is fine. 📅 January 17–19, 2026 This isn’t about fixing your classroom or reinventing your routines. It’s about getting through this season with support from teachers who actually get it. Affiliate Link Below: https://thesouthernteach--secondstorywindow.thrivecart.com/teacher-winter-talks-2026/

Black History Month Unit for your Social Studies Curriculum

Are you an upper elementary teacher looking to find a quality TEKS- and CCSS-aligned resource that covers important events and figures in black history? Looking for minimal-prep and engaging lessons and activities to teach social studies concepts to your 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students? Look no further!

Purchase the Black History Month Unit!

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