- Focus on the big ideas with an accessible print student text built around Essential Questions, enduring ideas, and National Geography standards. - Put your social studies students in the middle of the action with Explore the World unit openers, unit maps, as well as Step Into Place and Time chapter openers.- Engage students to learn people, places, culture and history with The Story Matters and Global Connections.- Maximize comprehension with the Reading Help Desk in each lesson to assist students with reading strategies, note-taking activities, graphic organizers, and vocabulary support.