
No Curriculum? No Problem! How to Teach Social Studies Without One
From The Social Studies Teacher Podcast by Kirsten Hammond, The Southern Teach LLC
April 27, 2026 · 22 min · Episode 122
About this episode
Kirsten Hammond provides strategies for teaching social studies effectively without a formal curriculum.
Have you ever been told you're teaching social studies… but given absolutely nothing to work with? No textbook. No pacing guide. No curriculum map. In this video, I’m walking you through exactly how to teach social studies without a curriculum- and still create structured, engaging, and meaningful lessons your students will love. Whether your district is in transition, resources are limited, or you're expected to build from the standards, this video will give you a clear system you can actually use. In this video, you’ll learn how to: • Use your state standards to build your curriculum • Create a simple year-at-a-glance plan • Structure your week so planning feels manageable • Find and use quality resources without starting from scratch • Focus on social studies skills, not just content • Build consistency in your lessons without overwhelm You don’t need a full curriculum to be an effective social studies teacher. You just need a plan—and I’ll show you how to build one. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure where to start, this will help you move forward with confidence. ➡️ Want ready-to-use, structured social studies lessons? Check out my resources here: Social Studies Guided…
People in this episode
Host: Kirsten Hammond
Topics covered
- teaching strategies
- social studies
- curriculum development
- lesson planning
- state standards
Keywords
- social studies
- curriculum
- lesson planning
- state standards
- teaching without resources
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: The Southern Teach LLC
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