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New Iowa social studies series for second, third, fourth and fifth grade

New Resources & Updates for Iowa Educators

Stay up to date with new K–12 social studies curriculum, classroom resources, educator stories, upcoming events, and the latest for Gibbs Smith Education in Iowa.

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New & NOTEWORTHY

New Iowa Social Studies Resources Are Here

Our new Iowa Social Studies series for grades 2–5 is fully aligned with Iowa standards and designed to help students explore history, civics, geography, and communities through engaging, classroom-ready content.

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2nd Grade

Iowa, Our Home

 

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3rd Grade

An American Adventure

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4th Grade

Founding a Nation: Themes in US History

IA5

5th Grade

Building a Dream: Themes in US History

Why The Iowa Series Stands Out

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FOR STUDENTS

Engaging, Iowa-Focused Learning

Relevant Iowa content helps students build knowledge while strengthening skills they can use across subjects.

Iowa-Focused Learning

Primary sources, communities, cultures, and real-world connections bring Iowa into the classroom.

Skills Beyond Social Studies

Inquiry, literacy, discussion, and project-based learning strengthen reading, writing, speaking, listening, and critical thinking.

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FOR TEACHERS

Flexible Resources for the Classroom

Built-in instructional options help teachers adapt the curriculum to their students and classroom needs.

Flexible Ways to Teach & Assess

Activities, projects, and assessment options provide multiple ways to teach and measure understanding.

Built-In Support for Learners

Teacher Tools and Student Support Guides support scaffolding, differentiation, and multilingual learners.

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FOR SCHOOLS & DISTRICTS

A Comprehensive Iowa Solution

Standards-aligned content and connected instructional resources support implementation across classrooms.

Built Around Iowa Standards

Covers the Iowa Academic Standards for Social Studies for Second Grade with Iowa-specific content throughout.

More Than a Textbook

Student materials, teacher resources, activities, assessments, literacy support, and digital tools work together as a comprehensive program.

New Iowa Second Grade book
Grade 2 spotlight

Iowa, Our Home

Iowa-focused social studies built for second-grade learners.

Iowa, Our Home combines Iowa history, geography, civics, economics, and culture with inquiry, literacy, primary sources, and hands-on learning. The curriculum covers the Iowa Academic Standards for Social Studies for Second Grade while giving teachers flexible ways to support different learners. 

Lexile Measure: 640L    Grade 2
Curriculum Highlights

Iowa Standards Alignment

Covers Iowa's second-grade social studies standards through history, geography, civics, and economics.

Primary Sources & Cultural Exploration

Go to the Source and Culture Search introduce students to historical evidence and diverse cultures.

Literacy Support

Ready for Reading and Story Time build literacy skills using Science of Reading-aligned strategies.

Inquiry & Communication

What Do You Think and Turn and Talk encourage discussion, listening, and critical thinking.

Hands-On & Real-World Learning

Examine the Evidence and Iowa Connections help students analyze history and connect learning to the real world.

Flexible Teaching & Student Support

Assessments, Teacher Tools, and Student Support Guides help educators adapt instruction to student needs.

Students Explore

Built Around Iowa's Second-Grade Standards

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Native American cultures and their contributions
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Foundational economic concepts
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Iowa communities over time
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Major Iowa industries and small businesses
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Iowa state symbols, levels of government, and community leaders
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Personal finance and making informed choices as a consumer
New Iowa social studies series for second, third, fourth and fifth grade

Three Grades. One Connected Series.

Introducing three new social studies textbooks for grades 3–5, developed to meet Iowa's Academic Standards for Social Studies while supporting meaningful instruction across grade levels.

From exploring early American history to examining the events and ideas that shaped our nation, the series combines historical content with primary sources, inquiry-based activities, and opportunities to strengthen literacy and critical-thinking skills.

Designed with classroom implementation in mind, these resources help districts support standards-aligned instruction while giving educators flexibility to meet diverse learning needs.

Grade 3 spotlight
New Iowa Third Grade book

An American Adventure

Exploring early American history through Iowa connections, inquiry, and literacy.

An American Adventure introduces third-grade students to early American history while building essential social studies and literacy skills. Designed around Iowa's third-grade standards, the curriculum combines Iowa-focused primary sources, skills-based activities, and real-world connections to support engaging instruction across disciplines.

 

Lexile Measure: 710L    Grade 3
Curriculum Highlights

Iowa Standards Alignment

Covers Iowa's third-grade social studies standards, with Iowa Connections and Career Corner features that reinforce learning.

Early Iowa History

A dedicated unit explores Iowa's early history and its connections to the broader American story.

Primary Sources & Inquiry

Iowa-focused primary sources and activities encourage students to examine evidence and build inquiry skills.

Integrated Literacy

Built-in literacy support strengthens reading and comprehension while students explore social studies concepts.

Real-World Connections

Career Corner and Iowa Connections connect classroom lessons to students' communities and everyday lives.

Cross-Disciplinary Skills

Skills-based activities help students apply critical thinking, communication, and literacy across subject areas.

Students Explore

Connecting Early American History to Iowa

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Early Iowa History

Exploring Iowa's beginnings and historical development
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Historical Evidence

Analyzing Iowa-focused primary sources

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Iowa Connections

Connecting history and social studies to Iowa
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Careers & Communities

Exploring real-world applications of social studies

Grade 4 spotlight
New Iowa Fourth Grade book

Founding a Nation: Themes in US History

Built Around Iowa's Fourth-Grade Standards

Founding a Nation explores important events and developments in American history while connecting students to Iowa's unique story. Designed to cover Iowa's fourth-grade social studies standards, the curriculum integrates primary sources, literacy strategies, digital learning, and flexible instructional resources to support diverse learners.

Lexile Measure: Coming Soon    Grade 4
Curriculum Highlights

Iowa Standards Alignment

Covers Iowa's fourth-grade social studies standards, including a dedicated unit exploring Iowa statehood.

Primary Sources & Inquiry

Examine the Evidence and Iowa Connections help students analyze historical sources and strengthen critical-thinking skills.

Integrated Literacy

Become a Better Reader builds reading and comprehension skills through strategies supported by the Teacher Guide.

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Digital & Cross-Disciplinary Learning

Tech Tie-In, Link and Think, Connect It, and Flex It encourage students to make connections across subjects.

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Hands-On & Real-World Learning

Career Corner, Sharpen Your Skills, and Spotlight-On connect classroom learning to real-world experiences and careers.

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Flexible Teaching & Student Support

Assessments, Teacher Tools, and Student Support Guides help educators differentiate instruction and support multilingual learners.

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Students Explore

Exploring US History Through Iowa's Fourth-Grade Standards.

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American Revolution

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Westward Expansion

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Migration & Immigration

 
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Iowa Statehood

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Personal Finance & Wise Spending

New Iowa Fifth Grade book
Grade 5 spotlight

Building a Dream: Themes in US History

Building historical understanding through inquiry, literacy, and real-world connections.

Building a Dream: Themes in U.S. History is designed to cover Iowa's fifth-grade social studies standards while strengthening students' critical thinking, literacy, and research skills. Through Iowa-focused primary sources, engaging activities, and flexible instructional resources, the curriculum supports meaningful learning and gives teachers multiple ways to meet classroom needs.

Lexile Measure: 880L    Grade 5
Curriculum Highlights

Iowa Standards Alignment

Covers Iowa's fifth-grade social studies standards through engaging lessons and activities.

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Primary Sources & Inquiry

Students examine historical evidence, explore Iowa connections, and develop critical-thinking skills.

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Integrated Literacy

Reading strategies and classroom discussions strengthen literacy and comprehension through social studies.

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Digital Literacy

Research activities and digital projects help students develop technology and information-literacy skills.

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Flexible Instruction

Activities, projects, and assessments give educators multiple ways to teach and evaluate student learning.

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Support for Every Learner

Teacher resources provide scaffolding and differentiated instruction to support diverse learners, including multilingual students.

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Students Explore

Built Around Iowa's Fifth-Grade Standards

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The Civil War

Major events and their impact on the United States
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Industrial Revolution

Changes in industry, technology, and society

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Constitution & Bill of Rights
 
Foundations of American government and individual rights
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Civil Rights Movement

The struggle for equality and its lasting impact

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Personal Finance

Making informed financial decisions

New Iowa companion guides for national title social studies books
New Resources

Introducing Iowa Companion Guides

Our new Companion Guides are designed to accompany select national social studies titles, helping educators connect existing curriculum to Iowa's academic standards and instructional needs.

Pair with National Titles

Support Iowa Standards

Help Teachers Plan Instruction


 

 

See you there

Join Us at the Next Conference!

We'd love to connect! Stop by our booth to explore the new Iowa Social Studies series, ask questions, and see resources in person.

Conference

Iowa CSS

Date: October 19, 2026

Attending: Katie Forsell & Lisa Lepic

Location: Scheman Building

1805 Center Drive, Ames, IA 50011

Conference

NCSS

Date: December 4–6, 2026

Attending: GSE Sales Team & more

Location: Hyatt Regency Chicago

151 E. Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601

Booth # 1005

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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about Iowa social studies curriculum, new textbooks, instructional resources, and program options from Gibbs Smith Education.

What grades does Gibbs Smith Education offer for Iowa social studies?

Gibbs Smith Education offers social studies resources across multiple grade levels, including new Iowa-focused titles for grades 2–5, alongside additional national social studies programs.

 

Are the new Iowa social studies textbooks aligned with Iowa Academic Standards?

The new Iowa grades 2–5 materials are designed to cover the Iowa Academic Standards for Social Studies, with grade-specific content, Iowa connections, and instructional supports.

 

What teaching resources are included with the Iowa social studies curriculum?

Depending on the title, instructional resources include Teacher Guides, student activities, assessments, literacy supports, digital resources, and other teaching tools.

What are Iowa Companion Guides?

Companion Guides are designed to accompany select national social studies titles, helping educators connect those resources to Iowa's standards and instructional needs.

How can Iowa schools request samples or learn more about the curriculum?

Educators can submit a request through Gibbs Smith Education or contact their Iowa representative to ask about samples, available resources, and program options.

More Resources
Free social studies lesson plan | Gibbs Smith Education

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Iowa Program Questions

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