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Dive into social studies with our vertically-aligned, literacy-supported Idaho Series. Our inquiry-based resources support students and teachers in exploring civics, geography, economics, history, and culture. These standards-aligned, high-quality instructional materials are customizable and use Science of Reading techniques.

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Kindergarten

Exploring My Place in the World

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Grade 1

Exploring My Communities

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Grade 2

Exploring Near and Far

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Grade 3

Exploring Time and Place

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Grade 4

The Idaho Adventure

Offers an accessible narrative and a robust teacher-resource collection to engage and excite students across the state. Spiraled support and extensive multimodal and literacy opportunities are included for teachers and students.

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Grade 5

Shaping a Nation: A History of the United States from 1450 to 1865

A comprehensive resource that delves into the remarkable journey of the United States in its formative years. It is enriched with vibrant color maps, captivating charts, stunning photos, and enlightening illustrations, making it an essential companion for students seeking to immerse themselves in the narratives of US History from its earliest beginnings to the tumultuous era of the Civil War.

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Grade 6

Bridges & Boundaries: World Geography

Provides a dynamic introduction to the interdependence of spatial thinking and global understanding in an integrated discussion of geography. Each unit is designed to engage students in critical thinking and analysis of the relationship between humans and the land.

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Grade 7

Beyond Borders: World History to 1500 CE

Offers readers a captivating journey around the world, transporting them from the beginnings of humanity and ancient civilizations all the way to the exciting Age of Exploration.

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Grade 8

Beyond Borders: World History 1500 CE to Present

Takes readers on a fascinating journey through the entire spectrum of human history, spanning the Age of Exploration to the Space Age.


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Inquiry Arc, Timelines, and Visual Literacy

Each chapter provides an inquiry-based approach that focuses student learning through a “Big” or “Essential” question. The question is drawn from state-specific standards or standards from the C3 Framework for Social Studies and is supported by Key Ideas, Learning Goals, and Key Terms in each chapter. Activities throughout the text and curriculum are scaffolded and designed to build upon each other and to gain skills, as well as content knowledge. Each chapter opening spread also includes a timeline relevant to the content to be covered and a primary or secondary source image with an accompanying caption to engage students.

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Engaging Textbook Design

Every page of the text is designed to engage readers, featuring a variety of maps, images, graphs, charts, primary, and secondary sources that are grade-level appropriate. Many of the features found in the text provide opportunities to examine multiple perspectives for analysis and evaluation throughout, including the ability to express, clarify, justify, interpret, and represent their ideas and to respond to peer and teacher feedback orally and/or in written form. Students frequently engage meaningfully with complex texts and are able to see themselves in the content. Captions included with the visual features in the text include open-ended questions for students to consider, discuss, and debate. Maps, graphics, and sources throughout each chapter support an inquiry arc.

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Formative Assessments
After each lesson, students can check their understanding of the content and concepts they have studied. The assessment includes basic recall questions as well as critical thinking questions that are scaffolded to the Chapter Assessments. These checks for understanding allow for students to display a range of depth of knowledge and also include a self-assessment for students to reflect on their own learning and performance.
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Social Studies Skills Activities
These activities emphasize the skills historians use to understand and interpret history. Students employ historical-thinking skills to build understanding as well as make connections with historical concepts. They also have the opportunity to use skills like analysis, compare and contrast, contextualization, cause and effect, periodization, forming fact-based opinions, research, defending a position, and accurate chronicling historical events.
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Academic and Domain-Specific Vocabulary

The Key Terms within each lesson strengthen understanding of the grade-level content and vocabulary, often include activities to increase comprehension and retention, and feature many terms that can be used by students in other contexts.

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Primary Source Analysis
Each chapter includes at least one primary source activity. Questions are scaffolded, allowing students to build confidence and skill as they explore, examine, evaluate, and interpret primary and secondary sources to understand historical concepts and make connections to the world around them.

Explore GSE’s Unparalleled Social Studies Resources and Premier Professional Development Services

Blog Free Lesson Plans

The Journal

The Journal examines the impact of strong cultures and communities on student learning. It underscores the connection between service and education, and their combined role in student development. New blogs and complimentary lesson plans are released bi-weekly. Subscribe for instant access.

GSEonline

GSEonline

All-in-one platform offering seamless access to Gibbs Smith Education eBooks and advanced study features. Our digital platform offers access to your programs including student and teacher-facing materials.

Preofessional Learning

Professional Learning

Our professional learning program is designed to empower educators with the knowledge, skills, and resources they need to build and sustain strong school cultures and communities that foster academic achievement, character development, and community stewardship.