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K–12 Social Studies Curriculum & Programs

Gibbs Smith Education provides K–12 social studies curriculum and comprehensive programs designed to support state standards and classroom instruction. Our programs include state-specific social studies, U.S. history, world history and geography, civics, diversity studies, and foundational social studies for elementary grades.

Whether you're searching for a complete curriculum, supplemental resources, or professional learning, you'll find flexible solutions designed to support educators and engage learners at every grade level.

 

Programs for every classroom. Resources for every learner.

 

Why Educators Choose Gibbs Smith Education

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Gibbs Smith Student Edition

STUDENT EDITION

Engaging content that brings history, civics, and communities to life.

Gibbs Smith Teacher Guide

TEACHER GUIDES

Comprehensive support for planning, instruction, and assessments. 

GSE Bookshelf+

GSE BOOKSHELF+

Online tools and assets that extend learning beyond the classroom. 

Professional Learning

PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

Ongoing training and support to help educators grow and succeed.

What’s Included in a Gibbs Smith Social Studies Program?

A complete social studies solution designed to support both teachers and students.

Gibbs Smith Education social studies programs include student editions, teacher guides, student activities, digital resources, assessments, instructional tools, standards correlation guides, and professional learning support. Available components vary by program.

 

Gibbs Smith Student Edition

Student Editions

Standards-aligned student textbooks that build content knowledge through engaging narratives, inquiry, primary sources, and meaningful learning experiences.
Gibbs Smith Teacher Guide

Teacher Guides

Comprehensive instructional support with lesson planning, pacing, teaching strategies, and classroom resources that help educators teach with confidence.
Gibbs Smith Student Activities

Student Activities

Standards-aligned practice that reinforces learning through writing, source analysis, graphic organizers, and review activities.
Gibbs Smith Teacher Tools

Teacher Tools

Ready-to-use instructional resources that simplify lesson planning with maps, graphic organizers, rubrics, and additional classroom materials.

 
Gibbs Smith Power Point Presentation

PowerPoint Presentations

Ready-to-use chapter presentations that support instruction with learning goals, visuals, discussion prompts, and classroom activities.
Gibbs Smith Student Support Guides

Student Support Guides

Scaffolded instructional resources that help multilingual learners, striving readers, and other students confidently access grade-level content.
Gibbs Smith Correlation Guides

Correlation Guides

Easy-to-use alignment documents that show where standards are taught throughout the curriculum, making planning and implementation easier.
Gibbs Smith Assessments

Assessments

Standards-based assessments that help teachers monitor student understanding, measure growth, and guide instructional decisions.
  • Teacher Guide
  • Correlation Guide
  • Teacher Tools
  • Unit Activities
  • Unit Assessments
  • Student Support Guide
  • PowerPoints

Explore Our Programs

Social Studies Foundations K-3 Gibbs Smith Education

Social Studies Foundations (K–3)

Build foundational social studies skills through engaging stories, inquiry, and age-appropriate learning experiences.

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State_Specific Curriculum Gibbs Smith Education

State-Specific Social Studies Curriculum

Gibbs Smith Education develops state-specific social studies programs designed around individual state standards. Programs connect students to their state's history, geography, government, culture, and people while providing teachers with standards-aligned instructional resources.

Explore State Programs →

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US History

From early America through modern history, our inquiry-based programs encourage students to analyze evidence, ask thoughtful questions, and understand multiple perspectives.

Explore US History →

World History & Geography | Gibbs Smith

World History & Geography

Help students discover civilizations, cultures, geography, and global connections through engaging content designed to make history meaningful.

Explore World History & Geography →

Diversity Studies | Gibbs Smith

Diversity Studies

Build understanding through programs that encourage students to explore cultures, identities, historical perspectives, and the diverse experiences that shape our communities.

Explore Diversity Studies →

 

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Civics

Prepare students for active citizenship through engaging instruction on constitutional principles, government, civic responsibility, and democratic participation.

Explore Civics →

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Supplemental Resources

Extend learning with classroom resources, magazines, readers, and instructional materials designed to complement your curriculum.

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What Educators are Saying

“ The mix of art and stats and excerpts from primary and secondary sources is excellent, and as someone who works constantly to update topics for the present day, you folks have done such a good job with Voices. I especially liked the extended study of the Hawaiian monarchy and its overthrow as someone who grew up with those stories in my community though not so much in my textbooks."—Christian Brady, Teacher

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Digital Social Studies Resources with GSE Bookshelf+

Everything you need. All in one place.

GSE Bookshelf+ is Gibbs Smith Education’s digital platform for accessing social studies curriculum resources, including online student editions, teacher materials, student activities, assessments, and instructional tools. Digital resources vary by program.

Explore GSE Bookshelf+
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Let's Find the Right Program Together

Our Program Specialists are here to help you choose the best resources for your classroom, school, or district. 

Talk with a Program Specialist
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Frequently Asked Questions About Social Studies Curriculum

Find answers to common questions about Gibbs Smith Education social studies curriculum, state standards, program components, and digital resources.

 

How does Gibbs Smith Education align its social studies curriculum with state standards?

Gibbs Smith Education develops social studies programs with state standards in mind, including state-specific curriculum designed around individual states’ requirements. Standards correlation guides are available for many programs to help educators see how program content connects to their state’s social studies standards.

What is included in a Gibbs Smith Education social studies program?

Gibbs Smith Education social studies programs may include student editions, teacher guides, student activities, digital resources, assessments, instructional tools, standards correlation guides, and professional learning support. Available components vary by program.

Does Gibbs Smith Education offer both print and digital social studies resources?

Yes. Gibbs Smith Education offers print and digital resources for many social studies programs. Digital resources are available through GSE Bookshelf+ and may include online student editions, teacher materials, student activities, assessments, and instructional tools. Available resources vary by program.

Free Classroom Resources

Looking for classroom–ready activities? Browse our growing collection of free lesson plans, teaching resources, and instructional materials designed to support meaningful learning.
 
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Kumulipo

The Hawaiian creation chant, known as the Kumulipo, is the story of a royal family in Hawai‘i and their origins back to the beginning of the world. How have modern artists interpreted the Kumulipo?

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Why Do We Need Ethnic Studies?

How would having ethnic studies classes in all schools affect students?

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Our Founding Mothers

The “Founding Mothers” were a group of women who also played an important role in shaping the United States of America. Celebrate our founding mothers with your students!

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Cooperation and Compromise

Teach students how to use compromising skills using the creation of the Constitution as a guide.

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Map View: US Imperialism

Teach students how to analyze maps and data to engage with Latino studies.

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The American Dream

Create and compare illustrations of students’ visions of the American Dream and their future.

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