Access to Hundreds of Social Studies Resources – All in One Place
Engaging and low-prep social studies lessons, printables, and activities made just for 3rd–5th grade teachers.
Everything is ready to use, so you can teach social studies with confidence and ease!
Simplify your planning with social studies resources that are:
Everything you need to teach social studies confidently – without the overwhelm. 🙌
DO ANY OF THESE SOUND LIKE YOU?
- Finding quality social studies resources is tough.
- You’re expected to teach social studies – but given little to work with.
- It’s hard to keep students engaged in social studies.
- Planning for social studies takes too much time for too little payoff.
The Smart and Simple Social Studies Membership is your all-in-one hub for teaching social studies with confidence.
No more stressing over what to teach or spending hours searching for the right resources. Instead, you’ll walk into your classroom ready – with engaging, standards-aligned lessons at your fingertips.
✖️ Sunday night stress
✖️ Wasting time on low-quality resources
✖️ Feeling unsupported or overwhelmed
✖️ Missing out on your free time
You don’t have to do it all alone – we’ve got you.
What current members are saying about the membership 🙌
Current members were asked, “What are three words you’d use to describe the Smart and Simple Social Studies Membership to a friend?” Here’s what they had to say:
easy – informative – creative
thorough – organized – amazing
simple – engaging – usable
fun – student-friendly – easy-to-follow
Hey there! I’m Kirsten.
I’m a former upper elementary teacher who has taught in multiple districts in Texas. I’ve taken my 13+ years of experience along with my M.Ed in Elementary Education and applied my expertise to each resource I create. And I’ve totally been there –
- Searching all over the internet to find the right social studies resources that align with my state’s standards and weren’t too easy or boring for my students
- Scrambling at the last minute to come up with a lesson or activity that aligns with a current event or holiday
- Trying to figure out a schedule that fits social studies with all the 150 million things I had to cover before state testing
I’ve created this membership to change ALL of that! No more fighting to fit social studies into your schedule or wasting precious time looking for activities (only to end up with bored students).
Instead, you’ll have access to high-quality social studies resources that will help you feel prepared for your next lesson. The goal is to make prep time short and sweet while packing in maximum learning, whether you have 5 minutes or 55.
A subscription packed with a variety of fun and easy-to-use resources for teaching social studies.
This membership is ideal for upper elementary teachers who want to spice up their social studies lessons. You’ll get tools and activities to make social studies lessons fun and meaningful for both you and your students!
“I love the resources and that there is something new each month!”
“I have never had an easier time planning. It is all there!!! I am able to take time to add more things if needed.”
“Most lessons have activities or notes and I can use them quickly.”
All-Access Resource Library 🌟
Guided Curriculum Units
These are complete, ready-to-teach units that cover essential social studies standards in depth. Each unit includes structured lessons, slideshows, guided notes, practice activities, projects, and assessments, giving teachers everything they need to deliver meaningful instruction without the overwhelm of planning from scratch.
Mini-Lessons
The mini-lessons are short, focused lessons that target a single concept or skill. Designed for 15–20 minute time blocks, they help teachers deliver impactful instruction even when class time is limited, making it easier to stay consistent with social studies throughout the week.
Daily Passages
These short reading texts are designed for quick implementation as part of a daily routine. Use for warmups or bellringers! They support literacy while also reinforcing key social studies concepts, helping students build background knowledge and comprehension skills.
Biography Passage Activities
These activities introduce students to significant historical figures in a student-friendly format. These resources help teachers bring history to life by showing real people behind major events, making content more relatable and memorable for students.
Task Cards
In the membership, you’ll find task cards that are printable or digital sets of questions that review specific concepts or vocabulary. They’re flexible and easy to use, providing you with an engaging way to reinforce learning, assess understanding, or add variety to their instruction.
WebQuests
You’ll find over 45 WebQuests – guided digital scavenger hunts where students investigate topics using pre-selected online sources. They promote critical thinking and inquiry skills, which allows you to introduce research-based learning in a structured and student-friendly way.
Writing Prompts
These prompts are designed to encourage student reflection and critical thinking about key topics. They can give you meaningful ways to check for understanding through written expression.
Guided Notes
Over 50 guided note topics are included! You’ll find filled in, partially completed, or blank options that help students focus on key ideas. These can be used as anchor charts, graphic organizers, etc. and are especially helpful for differentiating instruction.
Assessments
These ready-to-go quizzes and tests can help you check for understanding without the last-minute scramble. They’re aligned to standards and give you quick insight into what your students know – whether you’re doing a mid-unit check or wrapping things up.
Projects
The projects give your students a chance to dig deeper and show what they’ve learned in creative ways. These hands-on tasks build ownership, boost engagement, and give you an authentic way to assess learning beyond a worksheet or multiple-choice test.
Mini Audio Lessons
These quick, student-friendly audio podcast clips break down key concepts in just a few minutes. Perfect for introducing a topic or reinforcing what you’ve already taught, they’re a helpful option for reaching your auditory learners without adding to your prep load.
Vocabulary Cards and Quizzes
These visual cards and simple quizzes help your students lock in key terms as they move through each unit. They make it easy to reinforce vocabulary throughout your lessons – and give students the tools to talk about social studies with confidence.
…and There’s Always More on the Way!
I’m constantly adding fresh resources, updating existing ones, and listening to member feedback to make sure you have exactly what you need. This membership grows with you – so you’ll always have something new to support your social studies block.
Additional Bonuses You’ll LOVE ❤️
Bonus 1: Monthly Social Studies Surprises
Each month, members unlock a fun, seasonal, or timely bonus resource to keep things fresh and engaging in the classroom. From digital games to themed activities and creative printables, these surprises are the perfect way to add a little extra spark to your social studies routine – without adding to your workload.
Bonus 2: Social Studies Simplified Course
This self-paced course shows you exactly how to bring social studies to life in your classroom – without the overwhelm. You’ll learn how to structure your block, keep students engaged, and make the most of your time – even in short chunks. Best of all, it walks you through how to effectively use the membership resources so you can plan with ease and teach with confidence, all year long.
Bonus 3: Lesson Planner GPT
Stuck on what to teach or how to break it down? Lesson Planner GPT is your AI-powered planning assistant that helps you map out social studies lessons in minutes. Just tell it your topic or standard, and it’ll suggest lesson ideas, activities, and pacing—all tailored to upper elementary. It’s like having a planning partner at your fingertips, anytime you need it!
Bonus 4: Teacher PD Library
Need quick inspiration or fresh ideas? The PD Library is packed with bite-sized trainings and practical tips to help you strengthen your social studies instruction. Whether you’re looking to boost student engagement, try new strategies, or manage your time more effectively, you’ll find helpful, easy-to-implement support right when you need it.
Bonus 5: Pacing Guides and Lesson Plans
No more guessing what to teach and when! The pacing guides and done-for-you lesson plans take the stress out of long-term planning. Everything is laid out in a clear, easy-to-follow format so you can stay on track, cover your standards, and spend more time teaching—not planning.
Bonus 6: Search Hub
Looking for something specific? The Search Hub makes it easy to find exactly what you need – fast. Whether you’re searching by grade level, topic, standard, or resource type, everything is organized and just a few clicks away so you can spend less time searching and more time teaching.
Bonus 7: Tutorials and Support
Need help navigating the membership or using a resource? The collection of step-by-step tutorials and support is are here for you! Whether you’re brand new or just need a refresher, you’ll find quick walkthroughs and answers to help you make the most of everything inside – no tech stress required.
Take a look at what’s inside the membership!
Is the Smart and Simple Social Studies Membership Right for You? 🤔
This is a fit for you if:
✅ You’re looking for access to a complete curriculum AND engaging, supplemental social studies resources for Grades 3-5 to enhance your social studies block.
✅ You want additional tools like WebQuests, daily passages, and task cards to enrich your lessons.
✅ You struggle with finding high-quality, standards-based resources that keep your students interested and engaged.
✅ You’d love access to workshops and monthly surprises to keep things fresh and exciting in your classroom.
WORK AND IMPACT
At Smart and Simple Social Studies, we are committed to delivering high-quality curriculum and social studies resources for teachers and students that make a positive impact on upper elementary social studies education.
*Self-reported by members in an annual survey.
WHAT MEMBERS ARE SAYING
Choose a Subscription Option!
Choose the plan that fits you best – monthly, quarterly, or annual – for the 2025-2026 school year. This is an ongoing subscription, but you’re never locked in. You can cancel anytime, and you’ll continue to have access through the end of your current billing period. If it’s still a great fit for your classroom, just keep it going! Simple, flexible, and made with teachers in mind!
monthly ($324/YEAR)
*PAY A MONTH AT A TIME*
$27
QUARTERLY ($264/year)
*MOST POPULAR!*
$66
ANNUAL ($259/YEAR)
*BEST SAVINGS!*
$259
monthly ($324/YEAR)
*PAY A MONTH AT A TIME*
$27
QUARTERLY ($264/year)
*MOST POPULAR!*
$66
ANNUAL ($259/YEAR)
*BEST SAVINGS!*
$259
*SPECIAL OFFER*
Annual Texas School Subscriptions
This option gives teachers at your school access to all social studies resources specific to 3rd-5th grade through June 2026. Pay with a credit card and get instant access or request a quote for a purchase order. Perfect for multiple teachers in 1 or more grade levels!
Transform Your Social Studies Block 💫
YOUR BURNING QUESTIONS ANSWERED!
Still on the fence? I get it. As teachers, we’re used to putting everyone else first – our students, our families, our schools. It’s easy to push your own needs to the bottom of the list.
But imagine what it would feel like to walk into your classroom ready. To have social studies lessons that light your students up – without the stress or late nights.
You don’t have to do this alone, and you don’t have to start from scratch anymore. This membership was built for you – to make your life easier and your teaching more impactful. If your heart knows it’s time to bring social studies back to life in your classroom… I’d be honored to help you do it.