This engaging, interactive social studies program combines basic knowledge of history, geography, and culture together to help students see the “big picture.” Scattered throughout the lessons are Essential Questions that guide the discovery process as students see how history and geography influence society.

Each grade level explores a historical time period, looking at components of economics, science and technology, geography, culture, citizenship, government, and national symbols. The lessons incorporate reading comprehension, contextual clues and reading thinking skills, grade-appropriate critical thinking skills, vocabulary, links to other subjects, research and writing skills, and action ideas.

The curriculum set includes the Student Textbook, Student Workbook, and Teacher’s Edition (or Teacher Resources CD-ROM). The Teacher’s Edition includes lesson plans, learning objectives, teaching tips, and answers.

The theme for this level is "Building a Nation," featuring the American people and land, Native Americans, Western Hemisphere, Eastern Hemisphere, Spanish empire and exploration, the American Colonies, the fight for the American Continent, the French and Indian War, the War for Independence, forming a new government, the new nation, the expanding nation, and the Civil War and Reconstruction.