Year-Long Preparation

For Texas teachers, preparing students for the U.S. History STAAR exam means more than covering content—it means teaching students to analyze, evaluate, and apply their knowledge in rigorous, STAAR-formatted tasks. That is why I combined forces with lead4ward to create socialstudies+. When used with fidelity, socialstudies+ offers a powerhouse combination of instructional support, content mastery, and STAAR readiness.

Social Studies Success®: Interactive, TEKS-Aligned, and STAAR-Focused

• Engaging formats like gallery walks, history labs, and interactive notebooks
• Primary source analysis and practice that mirrors STAAR stimulus-based questions
• Reading strategies that prepare students for the rigorous level of STAAR
• Vocabulary and critical thinking scaffolds that support struggling readers and EBs

lead4ward: Structure, Support, and STAAR Strategy

• Cluster-based lesson planning for TEKS clarity and pacing
• Short instructional videos explaining key subclusters and strategies
• Intentional vocabulary development with LINC terms and Vocabulary Windows
• Focus on process standards and analytical thinking—essential for open-ended questions and evidence-based reasoning

Tools for All Learners

These features are especially helpful for Emergent Bilinguals (EBs) and struggling readers who need accessible ways to engage with rigorous content. socialstudies+ supports differentiated instruction with:

• Graphic organizers to help students organize their thinking
• Scaffolded primary sources to improve comprehension
• Visuals and strategies to reinforce academic vocabulary

Engagement that Sticks

STAAR success is built on engagement. That’s why Social Studies Success® incorporates:

• Strategies to bring history to life
• Interactive notebooks and station rotations
• DBQs (Document-Based Questions) that teach students how to write with evidence—key for Part B questions

Students don’t just memorize facts, they process their learning in a variety of challenging ways.

socialstudies+ program is designed to support Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) by providing structured resources that help educators:

• Break down content into manageable clusters and subclusters.
• Analyze student performance data to identify areas of weakness in TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills).
• Develop and implement targeted interventions to address identified gaps.

Learn more under the membership tab.