If you’ve ever felt a knot in your stomach thinking, What if I get it wrong? What if I offend someone or give the wrong information?—you’re not alone. Teaching sensitive topics can be daunting, but it’s also incredibly important. Whether it’s discussing historical injustices, social movements, or cultural differences, these lessons help students understand the world, think critically, and develop empathy.
In this episode, I’m going to share strategies for approaching these discussions with care, ensuring accuracy and student engagement, and avoiding common pitfalls. By the end of this episode, I hope you’ll feel more confident and prepared to tackle sensitive topics without fear.
Episode Highlights
• Why Teaching Sensitive Topics Matters
• Acknowledge Your Fears and Do the Prep Work
• Create a Safe Space for Discussion
• Strategies for Teaching Sensitive Topics
• Addressing Mistakes and Feedback
• Teaching Without Fear
Resources and Links
Blog Post - Episode 86 (https://thesouthernteach.com/blog/sensitive-social-studies-topics/)
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/the-southern-teach
https://thesouthernteach.com/blog/primary-sources/
Let's Connect!
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Mentioned in this episode:
Video Podcasts coming in June!
Season 3 of The Social Studies Teacher Podcast is coming this June with a brand-new format — video episodes! Every other week, you’ll be able to watch face-to-camera episodes on YouTube where I’ll share practical tips and engaging strategies for teaching upper elementary social studies. Prefer audio? You’ll still get biweekly episodes right in your podcast feed!
Social Studies Guided Curriculum
Easy-to-follow lesson plans and activities for social studies - just print and teach! The complete bundles for Communities, Texas History, and U.S. History are available. Click the link to learn more!
Learn more about the Smart and Simple Social Studies Guided Curriculum! (https://the-social-studies-teacher-podcast.captivate.fm/guidedcurriculum)