NEW! Explore New York and Beyond with Encompass
Build geographic literacy, background knowledge, and comprehension with one hands-on mapping program!
A K–5 Mapping Program That Makes Social Studies Click
Now your elementary students can make sense of their world, both locally and globally, with Encompass. Ready-to-teach, hands-on activities build the geographic literacy and background knowledge students need to interpret complex visuals and informational text like maps, graphs, charts, and images. Students learn to make connections, explain ideas, and build confidence with content. Collaborative, tactile, and flexible lessons make it easy to integrate strong social studies routines throughout the week and prepare students for success in elementary school and beyond.
Flexible and Fun Learning
Encompass is the perfect supplement for your social studies curriculum. Activities instantly engage students and only take 15–30 minutes to teach, making them easy to fit into instructional time.
Students get their hands on visually-rich atlases and markable maps, globes, and Social Studies Place Mats. And they regularly engage with chunked text, captions, maps, legends, graphs, and charts as well as age-appropriate primary and secondary sources.
New York State Studies
In Grade 4, students explore New York’s geography and regions while building strong map and graph skills. They also trace the state’s history—from Native nations and European exploration to the Revolutionary War, statehood, industrialization, and the fight for equal rights—developing the background knowledge and critical thinking skills they need to understand their state’s role in the nation.
In Grade 5, students explore the geography and regions of the Western Hemisphere—from North America to South America—using maps and data to build geographic literacy . They also examine early migrations, Indigenous civilizations, European exploration, and the growth of modern nations, deepening their understanding of how the Americas are connected through history, culture, and economy.
Everything You Need on a Handy Cart
A classroom cart with all the components: student atlases and markable kid-sized globes, Social Studies Place Mats, and desk maps scaffolded for K–5.
Teacher’s Guide with skills-based activities that can be taught in sequence or stand alone. Each activity includes clear objectives and is divided into four easy-to-follow sections.
Choose a grade below to learn about the specific components included.
How Encompass Fits Your Goals
Flexibility & Ease of Use: Teach in 15–30 minutes; minimal prep; fits well with ELA or social studies.
Hands-On, High-Impact Learning: Students learn by doing, reading maps, marking globes, and analyzing sources.
Foundational Skill Building: Critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication—skills that transfer.
New York Alignment: The Grade 4 Exploring New York Atlas and Grade 5 Western Hemisphere Atlas support instruction aligned to the New York State Social Studies Framework.
Beginnings
Kindergartners start learning about their neighborhoods and communities through hands-on geography resources that empower them to understand the world around them.
Components
- Encompass Beginnings Teacher's Guide
- The World Around Me Big Book Atlas
- 30 The World Around Me student atlases
- 6 9" activity globes
- 15 community desk maps
- 6 Social Studies Place Mats
- 6 raised relief maps
- 30 wide-tipped markers
- Elementary Atlas Cart
- 5-year subscription to interactive platform
Viewpoints
First graders are introduced to geography by identifying symbols, land, and water on a map, and learning about neighborhoods, our country, and the world.
Components
- Encompass Viewpoints Teacher's Guide
- 30 See the World student atlases
- 6 9" activity globe
- 30 U.S./world desk maps
- 15 community desk maps
- 6 Social Studies Place Mats
- 6 raised relief maps
- 30 wide-tipped markers
- Elementary Atlas Cart
- 5-year subscription to interactive platform
Changes
Second graders focus on new concepts and topics, such as natural features, community changes over time, U.S. population changes, and protecting our world.
Components
- Encompass Changes Teacher's Guide
- 30 Our Changing World student atlases
- 6 9" activity globe
- 30 U.S./world desk maps
- 15 community desk maps
- 6 Social Studies Place Mats
- 6 raised relief maps
- 30 narrow-tipped markers
- Elementary Atlas Cart
- 5-year subscription to interactive platform
Connections
Third graders explore additional concepts and topics, including cardinal directions, latitude and longitude, and taking action in communities, in our country, and around the world.
Components
- Encompass Connections Teacher's Guide
- 30 Our Place in the World student atlases
- 6 9" activity globe
- 30 U.S./world desk maps
- 15 community desk maps
- 6 Social Studies Place Mats
- 6 raised relief maps
- 30 narrow-tipped markers
- Elementary Atlas Cart
- 5-year subscription to interactive platform
New York State Studies
Fourth graders explore New York’s geography and regions while building strong map and graph skills. They also trace the state’s history—from Native nations and European exploration to the Revolutionary War, statehood, industrialization, and the fight for equal rights—developing the background knowledge and critical thinking skills they need to understand their state’s role in the nation.
Components
- Encompass Exploring New York Teacher's Guide
- 30 Nystrom Exploring New York student atlases
- 6 9" activity globe
- 30 U.S./world physical desk maps
- 30 New York desk maps
- 6 Exploring New York Place Mats
- 6 raised relief maps
- 30 narrow-tipped markers
- Elementary Atlas Cart
- 5-year subscription to interactive platform
Western Hemisphere
Fifth graders explore the geography and regions of the Western Hemisphere—from North America to South America—using maps and data to build geographic literacy. They also examine early migrations, Indigenous civilizations, European exploration, and the growth of modern nations, deepening their understanding of how the Americas are connected through history, culture, and economy.
Components
- Encompass Western Hemisphere Teacher's Guide
- 30 Western Hemisphere student atlases
- 6 Western Hemisphere Place Mats
- 15 Western Hemisphere Desk Maps
- 6 raised relief maps
- 30 narrow-tipped markers
- 5-year subscription to interactive platform
Get your hands on Encompass!
Please fill out the form, email sales@socialstudies.com, or call 800-421-4246 to connect with your New York curriculum specialist.