ENGAGE: Teaching the Social Studies Podcast

26. Wait for It… Using Slow Reveals

In this episode, Justin shares how slow reveal graphs, texts, and images have transformed engagement in his social studies classroom.  By revealing information piece by piece, students are encouraged to observe closely, discuss what they notice, and think critically about what the data or image represents. https://slowrevealgraphs.com/ [https://slowrevealgraphs.com/]

25. Roll the Dice: A Simple Engagement Hack That Works

Looking for a quick engagement move you can use tomorrow? Justin shares his go-to dice routine—an adaptable strategy for reviewing concepts, checking understanding, and giving students a fun challenge. Whether you teach government, AP courses, or anything in between, you'll walk away with ideas you can plug into your classroom right away.

24. Teaching Human Rights: A Path to Global Citizenship

In this episode, Justin shares practical strategies for bringing global citizenship into the classroom, with a strong focus on human rights education. He outlines how foundational concepts like the Bill of Rights, natural rights, and the UN Declaration of Human Rights can be powerful tools for student inquiry and critical thinking. From comparing historical documents to creating their own list of rights, students engage in meaningful discussions about justice, equity, and global responsibility. Justin also explores how themes of rights and citizenship can be tied into a wide range of topics—like war, civil rights, slavery, migration, and labor history—making global connections across social studies content. Whether you're teaching US Government, World History, or Current Events, you'll find actionable ideas to deepen your students' understanding of the world and their place in it.   Past Civics-Focused Episodes * Teaching the Foundations of Democracy [https://TheSocialStudies.podbean.com/e/5-navigating-civic-education-foundations-of-democracy/] * Teaching Civil Liberties [https://TheSocialStudies.podbean.com/e/7-navigating-civic-education-teaching-civil-liberties-and-citizenship/] * Teaching the Policymaking Systems [https://TheSocialStudies.podbean.com/e/11-navigating-civic-education-the-3-branches/] * Teaching Elections and Interest Groups [https://TheSocialStudies.podbean.com/e/19-navigating-civic-education-teaching-elections-interest-groups-and-more/] * Teaching Political Parties and Elections [https://TheSocialStudies.podbean.com/e/20-navigating-civic-education-political-parties-and-elections/] * Healthy Debates and Discussions [https://TheSocialStudies.podbean.com/e/18-healthy-debates-civically-engaged-students/] * Cultivating a Civil Classroom w/ Sphere Education [https://TheSocialStudies.podbean.com/e/16-cultivating-civil-classrooms-with-sphere-education/]

23. Simple Review that Creates a Classroom Showdown!

It’s review season, and Justin’s favorite time of year is in full swing! In this episode of ENGAGE, we dive into two tried-and-true strategies to get students fired up about reviewing content—The Race and Trivia Showdown. Learn how to turn your classroom into a competitive, high-energy review arena using nothing more than a good set of questions, some upbeat music, and a healthy dose of team spirit. Whether you’re teaching AP or gearing up for end-of-year exams, these low-prep, high-engagement games will help your students recall, reflect, and win. Grab your dice, get your playlists ready, and let the games begin.

22. Recharging Your Teaching: Takeaways from a Social Studies Conference

Fresh off the Wisconsin Council for the Social Studies Conference in Madison, Justin and Alisha break down their biggest takeaways—from innovative teaching strategies to the power of professional development. They share engaging classroom activities, including gamified lessons inspired by Dungeons & Dragons and hands-on learning methods that bring history to life. Plus, they discuss how attending conferences fuels creativity, builds connections, and enhances teaching effectiveness. Whether you're looking for new ideas to implement Monday morning or inspiration to attend your next conference, this episode is packed with insights and energy!