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.