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Hello!
I taught middle school for 23 years, and over that time I created a lot of resources simply because I needed something that either didn't exist—or I couldn't find exactly what I wanted. So instead of just sending you a list of what's on sale, I thought I'd share 10 resources I created that I genuinely wish I'd had when I started teaching. 1. Middle School Bell Ringers – 180 Writing Prompts I wish I'd started every class with a consistent routine from day one. Having something meaningful ready for students the moment they walked through the door would have saved me a lot of time—and probably a few headaches! 2. Writing Workshop Classroom Management & Student Conferencing This one was 100% a game-changer for me! Instead of students lining up at my desk or constantly asking when I'd get to them, this system gave them a way to hold their place in line while continuing to work. 3. Social Studies Bulletin Boards – 12 Pack Bundle Looking back, I spent WAY too much time over the years figuring out what to put on classroom walls. I eventually started creating displays that weren't just decoration—they actually connected to what we were learning. 4. How Do You Measure Up in History? This became one of my favorite classroom displays. Students can literally compare their height to famous people from history, which makes for a fun interactive bulletin board—and it's a great conversation starter when students first enter the classroom. 5. 50 States Flash Cards & Quiz Bundle Since I taught U.S. History, I eventually realized that one thing holding some of my students back was pretty simple—they didn't know where many of the states we were learning about were located! Sometimes simple works. Students need repeated exposure to the states, and having ready-to-use flash cards and quizzes makes it easy to practice, review, and check their progress. 6. Latitude & Longitude Treasure Hunts – 30 Activities Latitude and longitude requires practice, but another worksheet isn't always the answer. Turning coordinate practice into a treasure hunt gave students a reason to actually want to find the next location. Sometimes, we just need a fun start to a Friday! 7. Electoral College PowerPoint, Guided Notes, Simulation & Assessment The Electoral College can be one of those topics that's difficult to explain in a way that actually makes sense to middle school students. I wish I'd had a complete lesson that not only taught how it works but also let students experience it through a hands-on simulation. This resource combines instruction, guided notes, a classroom competition, and assessment to help turn a complicated concept into something students can actually understand. 8. Middle School Financial Literacy & Economics Activities Bundle Some of my favorite lessons were the ones that connected what we were learning to students' actual futures. Budgeting, careers, checks, interest, investing, and personal finance gave students a chance to learn skills they would actually use outside of school. 9. U.S. History Primary Sources – Articles of Confederation to Gettysburg Address When I started teaching, I'll admit that I was intimidated by the idea of using primary sources with middle school students. How do you take some of America's most important historical documents and make them approachable for a 12- or 13-year-old? This bundle helps students go beyond simply reading historical documents to analyze what they mean, understand why they mattered, and connect their ideas to the world today. With resources covering major documents from the Articles of Confederation through the Gettysburg Address, it's something I wish I'd had much earlier in my teaching career. 10. U.S. History Tournament of Champions Another game-changer for me, especially at the end of the year, was discovering how powerful a little friendly competition could be. Students research, argue, vote, and debate which people, events, and inventions had the greatest impact on American history in a March Madness-style tournament. It's a fun way to keep students engaged, thinking critically, and talking about U.S. History—even during those final days of the school year when keeping middle schoolers focused can be a challenge! Looking back, I created many of these resources because I was trying to solve the same problems teachers face every day:
Whether you're just starting your teaching career or you're heading back for another year, I hope you find something that saves you a little time and makes your classroom a little more fun! Have a great school year! Matthew, Surviving Social Studies
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Looking for a way to give students latitude and longitude practice they'll actually enjoy? Need something for early finishers? Do you have students who love challenges? With my 50 States Latitude & Longitude Coordinate Puzzles, students plot coordinates, connect the points, and watch as a mystery state begins to appear! ⭐ All 50 states included ⭐ Bonus USA puzzle ⭐ Easy-to-challenging puzzles ⭐ Answer keys included ⭐ Perfect for a quick sub plan! 👉 CHECK OUT THIS 50 STATES BUNDLE!  Below are the number of coordinates students will plot for each puzzle.
Click on each state name to get to that individual puzzle! Alabama – 35 Alaska – 92 Arizona – 26 Arkansas – 30 California – 44 Colorado – 5 Connecticut – 34 Delaware – 37 Florida – 55 Georgia – 40 Hawaii – 77 Idaho – 45 Illinois – 67 Indiana – 43 Iowa – 44 Kansas – 16 Kentucky – 60 Louisiana – 60 Maine – 46 Maryland – 51 Massachusetts – 42 Michigan – 71 Minnesota – 68 Mississippi – 32 Missouri – 30 Montana – 22 Nebraska – 19 Nevada – 11 New Hampshire – 53 New Jersey – 47 New Mexico – 10 New York – 47 North Carolina – 50 North Dakota – 12 Ohio – 31 Oklahoma – 27 Oregon – 30 Pennsylvania – 24 Rhode Island – 102 South Carolina – 30 South Dakota – 17 Tennessee – 22 Texas – 42 Utah – 7 Vermont – 52 Virginia – 47 Washington – 41 West Virginia – 55 Wisconsin – 68 Wyoming – 5 BONUS PUZZLE – The United States -- 85 Your students who love challenges and enjoy accomplishing sets of tasks will appreciate this add-on to your social studies classroom! Have a great start to your year! Matthew, Surviving Social Studies Follow Me! TpT Store I can't believe it's already August! As many of you are getting your classrooms ready and putting the finishing touches on your lesson plans, I wanted to share a few of my favorite back-to-school resources that are designed to make the first days and weeks of school engaging, meaningful, and stress-free.
Images below are the property of @MsKressHistory |
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| When students walked toward my classroom on the first day of school, I would say to a student I didn't even know yet, "Good morning! (and motion to the bulletin board to my right with a smile) Who are you closest in height to?" It was so fun to see that first student look at the board, see the ruler, measure themselves, and then search the board :) As the other students approached my classroom I would always hear one of them say, "Whoa! What's this?" as they watched the first student measuring themselves. Why did I do this? It gave me a chance to bond with students right away, it gave students a way to talk to each other, and it gave me a way to hook them into history by making a personal connection before they even knew who I was or what our class was going to be like. It's such a fun way to start the year! Give it a try! Click HERE |  |
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 | Here's how I put this bulletin board up. If you have access to a laminator, laminate each printable to preserve them. Take a picture once it is up so you have a guide to install it the same way the following year! Have a great year! |
| It doesn’t take something fancy to get students engaged. Here’s a simple warm-up I used for years to help students stretch their thinking before the day’s lesson. Each student receives a strip with three shapes. They have ten minutes to turn each box into whatever their imagination creates. The results are always surprising and fun to see. When time is up, students stand and walk around the room to look at what their classmates made using the very same shapes. The variety of ideas is always impressive! Then I ask, “Why do you think we did this?” Every so often someone would joke, “Because you needed ten more minutes to get ready?” which, if I am honest, was occasionally true. But sooner or later someone would say, “Just because we all see the same thing doesn’t mean we all see it in the same way.” Bingo! This quick activity reinforces the idea that perspective matters. We can look at the same information and come away with completely different interpretations. If you would like to try it, click the PDF to the right (four slips per sheet). After your students have completed their creations, I would love to see what they came up with. Send any photos of student work to [email protected] and I will add some of them to this post. Here's Some More Bell Ringer Activities: 180 Days of Writing Prompts Buried Treasure Bell Ringers My Classroom Management Solution: Deli-Style Conferencing  |     
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Is your to-do list for the upcoming year starting to stress you out? Or, are you nauseous over how much you spend to create a warm, welcoming classroom with updated materials? Don’t worry, you are not alone! Teachers are trying to accomplish so much with limited budgets. Additionally, they are working hard to find FUN, engaging, worthwhile social studies lessons for students. Thankfully, the upcoming Social Studies Bundle Sale has incredible resources at a HUGE discount. However, these bundles are so amazing that they won’t be available forever. The Social Studies Super Bundles are only available from August 7-14th. The bundles are so amazing that you want to set your calendar reminder now!
Benefits of Available Bundles
Sometimes, people hesitate to purchase bundles due to the higher upfront cost. There is often concern over the quality of the resources and whether this justifies the price. Thankfully, the Social Studies Super Bundles contain TONS of high-quality printable and digital resources. Best of all, the bundles are only $20 during this exclusive sale!
The Social Studies Bundle Sale provides incredible benefits! First, the bundles contain excellent social studies lessons. Teachers will save HOURS of time planning and designing with all of the ready-to-go resources. Second, all of the bundles offer
updated and innovative teaching strategies. Students will love how these lessons move beyond boring worksheets. Third, these bundles will significantly build your teacher library. There are over 200 resources that students will love to use year after year. Thankfully, your wallet will receive a much-needed break from buying additional materials.
Secondary American History Bundle
For only $20, teachers will receive dozens of resources! This bundle contains fun, engaging, hands-on social studies lessons. For instance, students will complete stations about WWII, analyze primary resources, and study the Articles of Confederation. Furthermore, they will complete a Genius Hour project and learn about landmarks in the USA and worldwide. There is even a digital escape room to start the year in a fun and exciting way. Students will genuinely love American History with this bundle!
Secondary World History and Geography Bundle
Students will learn all about the world for only $20 with these social studies lessons. For example, there are lessons on Ancient Chinese philosophies, revolutions, and Greek Mythology. Likewise, students will learn about landforms, maps and globes, and Alexander the Great. There are so many incredible activities packed into this bundle. Students will be excited to learn about the world with these creative lessons.
Secondary Government and Civics Bundle
Due to the different branches and legal components, the Government can be challenging to understand. There is just so much to learn! Hence, this $20 bundle has tons of activities that will break down complex topics. For instance, students will learn about presidential roles, modern federalism, and the three branches of government. There is even a classroom economy simulation!. Just like above, all of the activities are high-quality and filled with updated teaching methods.
Secondary Super Bundle
Like many secondary social studies teachers, you have multiple preps. While you want to give each class your absolute best, it can be hard when planning so many lessons! Thankfully, there is a SUPER bundle that contains 3 bundles! This includes American History, World History, and Government! While each bundle is $20, this product comes with an even bigger discount during the Social Studies Bundle Sale. So, all 3 bundles can be yours for only $50! Every single prep will have social studies lessons students love!
Elementary Social Studies Bundle (Grades 3-5)
As students get older, they are ready to learn more complex topics. However, elementary students still need support and guidance. Here, students will learn about so many amazing topics through interactive lessons! This includes national parks, branches of government, and medieval knights. Furthermore, students will plan how to open and run a business and design a summer vacation. Honestly, there is an entire year's worth of social studies lessons to ensure students learn about many topics. Even better, everything included only costs $20 during the Social Studies Bundle Sale!
After buying the Social Studies Super Bundles for a HUGE discount, teachers will feel the stress melt away. Importantly, this incredible offer will not be around for long. You can save hundreds of dollars if you grab these social studies lessons from August 7-14. The Social Studies Bundle Sale is a one-time opportunity, so be sure not to miss out!
If you do not want to miss out on the Social Studies Bundle Sale, join my email list to ensure you do not forget! Teachers are so busy preparing for back-to-school, and you do not want to let this opportunity slip away!
Benefits of Available Bundles
Sometimes, people hesitate to purchase bundles due to the higher upfront cost. There is often concern over the quality of the resources and whether this justifies the price. Thankfully, the Social Studies Super Bundles contain TONS of high-quality printable and digital resources. Best of all, the bundles are only $20 during this exclusive sale!
The Social Studies Bundle Sale provides incredible benefits! First, the bundles contain excellent social studies lessons. Teachers will save HOURS of time planning and designing with all of the ready-to-go resources. Second, all of the bundles offer
updated and innovative teaching strategies. Students will love how these lessons move beyond boring worksheets. Third, these bundles will significantly build your teacher library. There are over 200 resources that students will love to use year after year. Thankfully, your wallet will receive a much-needed break from buying additional materials.
Secondary American History Bundle
For only $20, teachers will receive dozens of resources! This bundle contains fun, engaging, hands-on social studies lessons. For instance, students will complete stations about WWII, analyze primary resources, and study the Articles of Confederation. Furthermore, they will complete a Genius Hour project and learn about landmarks in the USA and worldwide. There is even a digital escape room to start the year in a fun and exciting way. Students will genuinely love American History with this bundle!
Secondary World History and Geography Bundle
Students will learn all about the world for only $20 with these social studies lessons. For example, there are lessons on Ancient Chinese philosophies, revolutions, and Greek Mythology. Likewise, students will learn about landforms, maps and globes, and Alexander the Great. There are so many incredible activities packed into this bundle. Students will be excited to learn about the world with these creative lessons.
Secondary Government and Civics Bundle
Due to the different branches and legal components, the Government can be challenging to understand. There is just so much to learn! Hence, this $20 bundle has tons of activities that will break down complex topics. For instance, students will learn about presidential roles, modern federalism, and the three branches of government. There is even a classroom economy simulation!. Just like above, all of the activities are high-quality and filled with updated teaching methods.
Secondary Super Bundle
Like many secondary social studies teachers, you have multiple preps. While you want to give each class your absolute best, it can be hard when planning so many lessons! Thankfully, there is a SUPER bundle that contains 3 bundles! This includes American History, World History, and Government! While each bundle is $20, this product comes with an even bigger discount during the Social Studies Bundle Sale. So, all 3 bundles can be yours for only $50! Every single prep will have social studies lessons students love!
Elementary Social Studies Bundle (Grades 3-5)
As students get older, they are ready to learn more complex topics. However, elementary students still need support and guidance. Here, students will learn about so many amazing topics through interactive lessons! This includes national parks, branches of government, and medieval knights. Furthermore, students will plan how to open and run a business and design a summer vacation. Honestly, there is an entire year's worth of social studies lessons to ensure students learn about many topics. Even better, everything included only costs $20 during the Social Studies Bundle Sale!
After buying the Social Studies Super Bundles for a HUGE discount, teachers will feel the stress melt away. Importantly, this incredible offer will not be around for long. You can save hundreds of dollars if you grab these social studies lessons from August 7-14. The Social Studies Bundle Sale is a one-time opportunity, so be sure not to miss out!
If you do not want to miss out on the Social Studies Bundle Sale, join my email list to ensure you do not forget! Teachers are so busy preparing for back-to-school, and you do not want to let this opportunity slip away!
All the best,
Matt @ Surviving Social Studies
Matt @ Surviving Social Studies
With Memorial Day right around the corner (and also the time of year when kids are getting a little squirrely) you might find yourself looking for an activity your students can be engaged in that allows them to also honor the members of the military for Memorial Day in your social studies class.
Give this a try HERE!
All you need to do is print a classroom set of packets, get paper for students to trace on, and watch them have fun!
Give this a try HERE!
All you need to do is print a classroom set of packets, get paper for students to trace on, and watch them have fun!
Check out the video below to see how these come together...
All the best,
Matt @ Surviving Social Studies
Matt @ Surviving Social Studies
Hello!
Let me guess, now that we're in August you're having some of those "teacher dreams" that only a teacher knows about. Or you're looking at the calendar and counting down how many days until you go back and are realizing how much you don't have planned.
The anxiety.
The stress.
The endless list in your mind.
I get it.
I'm a full-time middle school classroom teacher who will be entering my 23rd first day of school very soon. I am fully aware that I will have the night before school butterflies like I do every year. Then, 10 seconds after that final bell rings to start the first class, I'll think, "Oh yeah... I remember how to do this!"
So, whether you're a veteran teacher or someone just starting your career here are some things I wish I would have known, done, or believed when I first started teaching:
Let me guess, now that we're in August you're having some of those "teacher dreams" that only a teacher knows about. Or you're looking at the calendar and counting down how many days until you go back and are realizing how much you don't have planned.
The anxiety.
The stress.
The endless list in your mind.
I get it.
I'm a full-time middle school classroom teacher who will be entering my 23rd first day of school very soon. I am fully aware that I will have the night before school butterflies like I do every year. Then, 10 seconds after that final bell rings to start the first class, I'll think, "Oh yeah... I remember how to do this!"
So, whether you're a veteran teacher or someone just starting your career here are some things I wish I would have known, done, or believed when I first started teaching:
1.
How cute your classroom is does not equate to how much your students are learning or how good of a teacher you are. Some of the teachers who meant the most to me when I was growing up - I remember how they treated me, not what their classrooms looked like.
How cute your classroom is does not equate to how much your students are learning or how good of a teacher you are. Some of the teachers who meant the most to me when I was growing up - I remember how they treated me, not what their classrooms looked like.
2.
Keep a small notebook that is specifically for you to write the date and an attainable goal for the day. If your goal for the day is to greet students at the door, then make sure you do that on that day. If your goal is to connect with 3 students you hadn’t connected with yet, then connect with those 3 students regardless of how your day is going. At the end of the day, dozens of things may have gone wrong, but at least you'll have done that one thing that was your goal for the day. That’s important.
Keep a small notebook that is specifically for you to write the date and an attainable goal for the day. If your goal for the day is to greet students at the door, then make sure you do that on that day. If your goal is to connect with 3 students you hadn’t connected with yet, then connect with those 3 students regardless of how your day is going. At the end of the day, dozens of things may have gone wrong, but at least you'll have done that one thing that was your goal for the day. That’s important.
3.
It is OK to say, "No." Especially if you are a new teacher, you might feel like you are obligated to take on EVERYTHING! You're not. If adding something else will take away your serenity, which will take away from how available you are for your students, then by saying, "No" to that thing, you are actually saying, "Yes" to yourself, and therefore your students.
It is OK to say, "No." Especially if you are a new teacher, you might feel like you are obligated to take on EVERYTHING! You're not. If adding something else will take away your serenity, which will take away from how available you are for your students, then by saying, "No" to that thing, you are actually saying, "Yes" to yourself, and therefore your students.
4.
Pick one night every week that is your night, and you will not do ANYTHING school related after a certain time on that night. If that happens to be Wednesday at 5:00, then be true to that. If 5:00 on Wednesday is your time to do what you want then you will get in the habit of scheduling everything else around that time. You will look forward to that night as much as the weekend!
5.
Be at peace knowing that it is 100% OK to take a "mental health" day. During the emergency announcement before a flight, they always tell you that if the oxygen masks drop down, you need to put your own mask on before assisting others. There's a reason for that - just like there's a reason for taking a mental health day. You need to take care of yourself before you can take care of others. I promise, you will feel SO much better for doing so!
So, there's my quick list for you! I wish I would have done these things when I first started, but I do these things now, and I share these ideas with my student teachers and new teachers I work with.
I'll have a bi-weekly email that will be coming your way on Sundays and Thursdays this year filled with tips, freebies at times, and resources I'm featuring or currently using in my own classroom.
All the best!
Matt @ Surviving Social Studies
I'll have a bi-weekly email that will be coming your way on Sundays and Thursdays this year filled with tips, freebies at times, and resources I'm featuring or currently using in my own classroom.
All the best!
Matt @ Surviving Social Studies
About Me
23 years as a middle school social studies teacher
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