Spark curiosity and encourage critical thinking with engaging resources designed to make social studies come alive for your students.
DO ANY OF THESE SOUND LIKE YOU?
- It’s really hard for your school or district to find quality social studies resources.
- You’re struggling to keep your student population engaged and interested in the social studies topics that DO end up getting taught.
- Planning for social studies takes up a lot of time and you find it to be not worth the output.
MY MISSION IS TO HELP YOU TAKE SOCIAL STUDIES OFF THE BACK BURNER.
Social studies is crucial for helping kids understand the world. When they learn about history and cultures, they develop critical thinking skills and become informed citizens.
If we don’t prioritize social studies, students miss out on key knowledge and skills. They might struggle with understanding current events and engaging in civic life.
Neglecting social studies can lead to:
- Poor critical thinking and problem-solving skills
- Lack of historical and cultural awareness
- Unpreparedness for active citizenship
I’m here to help your school or district bring social studies front and center! The goal is to make prep time short and sweet while packing in maximum learning, whether you have 5 minutes or 55.
Let’s make social studies engaging and essential for your students! 🌟
A subscription packed with a variety of fun and easy-to-use resources for teaching social studies in Grades 3-5.
This membership is ideal for upper elementary teachers who want to spice up their social studies lessons. Teachers will receive 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: 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 2: 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 3: 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 topic overview videos, walkthrough videos, and answers to help you make the most of everything inside – no tech stress required.
Take a look at what’s inside the Texas school subscriptions membership!
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
Is the Smart and Simple Social Studies Membership Right for You? 🤔
This is a fit for your school or district if:
✅ You’re looking for access to a complete curriculum AND engaging, supplemental 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 students interested and engaged.
WORK AND IMPACT
At Smart and Simple Social Studies, we are committed to delivering high-quality curriculum and 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
FOR GRADE LEVEL TEAMS, SCHOOLS, AND DISTRICTS
*SPECIAL OFFER*
Annual Texas School Subscriptions
Are you a school or district? Pay by credit card or make a purchase order, select a grade level, and get SCHOOL-WIDE access to engaging TEKS-Aligned Social Studies resources! Access begins after successful purchase and lasts through June 30, 2026.
Transform Your Social Studies Block 💫
YOUR BURNING QUESTIONS ANSWERED!
HI, I’M KIRSTEN!
I’m a former upper elementary teacher who has taught in multiple districts in Texas. I’ve taken my 11+ years of experience along with my M.Ed in Elementary Education and applied my expertise to each resource I create. 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
This membership is here to change 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.
With these engaging resources, students will get to share in the joy of learning with you – while also retaining more information and making meaningful connections.