In this bonus episode of The Social Studies Teacher Podcast, I’m giving you a timely update on some major news out of Texas. The State Board of Education has officially voted on big changes to the K–8 Social Studies TEKS, shifting to a chronological approach and creating a brand-new framework for how we teach history, geography, government, and culture. It is expected that these standards are put into effect beginning 2030.

I’ll walk you through:

• The highlights of the SBOE’s September 2025 meeting
• How each grade (K–8) will change under the new proposal
• The move from 8 strands down to 5 strands
• The timeline for implementation (likely 2030)
• What this means for your classroom right now
• 
  

If you’re a Texas teacher (or just curious about curriculum changes), this episode will help you feel prepared and confident. And don’t worry- my Smart & Simple Social Studies resources are fully aligned with the current TEKS, and I’ll continue to update everything when the time comes!

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5 Social Studies Guided Notes

Get guided notes covering 5 common social studies topics that are low-prep and easy to use as reference guides, anchor charts, and more!

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7th Grade Texas History Guided Curriculum (Growing Bundle)

A TEKS-aligned Texas History curriculum designed to make planning simple and instruction engaging. Organized units, ready-to-use lessons, and ongoing updates as new units are added! https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/7th-Texas-History-Grade-Social-Studies-Curriculum-GROWING-BUNDLE-TEKS-Aligned-15062423