The Highlights

Table Of Contents Unit Planner:

This gives a visual display of the chapters in a unit. The chapters consist of core lessons, extension ideas, skill builder activities, and a chapter review.

Leveled Books:
There are leveled book for all units in the series. There are four titles for each unit. The different titles meet different needs (below grade level, on grade level, above grade level, and ELL students).

Bibliography:
The bibliography includes books that can be used for independent reading, read aloud, and reference books. It gives an annotated list for these books.

Assessment Options:
There are several assessment options in this social studies series. Teachers can choose from classroom-based assessments (written and oral) and informal, ongoing assessments. There are also performance assessments and student self-assessments, as well as standardized unit tests.

Reaching All Learners & Cross Curricular Activities:

This page helps teachers by offering suggestions to meet the needs of learners with extra support and enrichment opportunities. There is also a page to show ways to connect the chapter topics to other curriculum areas.

Unit Opener & Big Idea:

These have suggestions of how to start teaching the unit.

Planning Guide:
This is a similar set up to a five-day planner. There are suggested times that each lesson should take.

Teacher Read Aloud:

This page provides information you need to get form the story you are sharing.

Chapter Preview:
This page introduces important vocabulary. There is a correcting misconceptions section. This lets you know some possible misconceptions students will have. There is a reading strategy section.

Core Lesson:
This has everything you need to teach a lesson. The margins have comments for teachable moments in the reading. There are pictures of practice book pages and support ideas.

Extend Lesson:
This follows each core lesson. These pages offer ways to make a connection to the big ideas presented at the beginning of the unit.

Skill Builder:
Skill Builder is a mapping lesson that is found in every chapter. It gives background information to help you teach the skill properly. There are also activities for students to practice and apply the mapping skill.

Chapter Review/Test Prep:

These are designed to reinforce key chapter concepts. It is a great way to teach test prep and test taking strategies.

Community Handbook:
This makes real-world connections between the chapter topic and a situation that most students can relate to.

Unit Review/Test Prep:

These highlight the chapter vocabulary, main ideas, critical thinking skills, and mapping skills. It also gives suggestions to students on how to use their newly acquired skills in practical settings.

Citizenship Handbook:
The Citizenship Handbook is a resource for historic documents and social studies related materials.