Exploring Where and Why

A K-5 hands-on geography program helping
students understand where they are and why it matters!

Hands-On Learning

Exploring Where & Why gives students rich experiences that encourage them to discover for themselves an increasingly sophisticated set of concepts and skills.

Markable Maps and Globes

Improve learning and deepen understanding by providing students with the opportunity to physically engage with the content!

Atlases and the Digital Package

Provide students with an in-depth, sequential foundation for developing the concepts and skills to study people and places.

Teacher's Guides with Assessments and Activities

With the Teacher’s Guide and a Digital Package to support each atlas, teacher’s have all the tools they need to plan lessons, assign activities, and assess students. 

Exploring Where & Why is a Nystrom hands-on geography program for grades K-5. Discover how this program can revolutionize your classroom!

EWW_Cart_GK
Kindergarten

New Friends & New Places

Introduce kids to exploring their own neighborhood and the world's neighborhoods through familiar themes such as family, friends, and holidays. Our elephant friends in the Jumbo family help create personal connections to social studies concepts.

Included in Kindergarten:

FOR GRADES
K
1
2
3
4
5
EWW_Cart_G1
Grade 1

Neighborhoods Near & Far

Immerse students in exploring a typical small American neighborhood and how it is different from and similar to neighborhoods on other continents. The Block Buddy kids ask thought provoking questions about places where people live, work, and learn.

Included in Grade 1:

FOR GRADES
K
1
2
3
4
5
EWW_Cart_G2
Grade 2

Communities Here & There

Involve students in exploring an expanded concept of community, introducing topics such as consumers, producers, and government. The friendly Nystronaut aliens, being outsiders, look to students for answers to questions requiring critical thought. 

Included in Grade 2:

FOR GRADES
K
1
2
3
4
5
EWW_Cart_G3
Grade 3

People & Places Everywhere

Broaden students' view of a community to include its wider region. Highlighting key concepts and asking critical-thinking questions., the Map Champ animals help students explore the size,location, history, and common needs of their own community and communities around the world.

Included in Grade 3:

FOR GRADES
K
1
2
3
4
5
EWW_Cart_G4
Grade 4

Maps & Globe Skills

Sharpen geography and social studies skills, then consolidate those skills as students apply them to exploring the regions of the United States. The team of Junior Geographers leads the way by making high-interest observations and asking tough questions.

Included in Grade 4:

FOR GRADES
K
1
2
3
4
5
EWW_Cart_G5
Grade 5

Our Country's History

Launch inquiry into American history with lessons that don't spoon-feed answers but instead ask essential questions. History literally "takes place" in student's' minds as they build their own understanding through real experience with hands-on activities.

Included in Grade 5:

FOR GRADES
K
1
2
3
4
5

Start Meeting Standards and Student Needs

Contact us

Elementary

  • Maps: Primary: ELS
  • Maps: Primary: Readiness
  • Maps: Primary: Outline World Map
  • Maps: Intermediate: Physical
  • Maps: Intermediate: Political
  • Maps: Intermediate: Continents and Oceans Thematic
  • Maps: Intermediate: Wealth of Countries Thematic
  • Maps: Intermediate: Precipitation Thematic
  • Maps: Intermediate: Temperature Thematic
  • Maps: Intermediate: Time Zones Thematic
  • Maps: Intermediate: Land Use Thematic
  • Maps: Intermediate: Population Thematic
  • Maps: Intermediate: Outline World Map
  • U.S. History:1 Native Americans
  • U.S. History:2 Spanish Explorers
  • U.S. History:3 Explorers
  • U.S. History:4 The Great Exchange
  • U.S. History:5 European Settlements
  • U.S. History:6 Thirteen Britishi Colonies
  • U.S. History:7 Slevery In the Americas
  • U.S. History:8 Revolutionary War
  • State Map

Secondary

  • Maps: Intermediate: Physical
  • Maps: Intermediate: Political
  • Maps: Intermediate: Continents and Oceans Thematic
  • Maps: Intermediate: Wealth of Countries Thematic
  • Maps: Intermediate: Precipitation Thematic
  • Maps: Intermediate: Temperature Thematic
  • Maps: Intermediate: Time Zones Thematic
  • Maps: Intermediate: Land Use Thematic
  • Maps: Intermediate: Population Thematic
  • Maps: Intermediate: Outline World Map
  • Maps: Secondary: Land Use Thematic
  • Maps: Secondary: Population Thematic
  • Maps: Secondary: Political Relief
  • Maps: Secondary: Land Cover
  • Maps: Secondary: Scupltural Relief
  • Maps: Secondary: Growing Seasons Thematic
  • Maps: Secondary: Climate Thematic
  • Maps: Secondary: Tectonic Plates Thematic
  • Maps: Secondary: Precipitation Thematic
  • Maps: Secondary: Outline World Map
  • State Map

U.S. History

  • Native Americans
  • Spanish Explorers
  • Explorers
  • The Great Exchange
  • European Settlements
  • Thirteen British Colonies
  • Slavery in the Americas
  • Revolutionary War
  • American Expansion
  • Explorations of the West
  • Trails West
  • War with Mexico
  • Slavery Divides the Nation
  • Slavery and the Economy
  • Union and Confederacy
  • Civil War
  • Conflicts with Indians
  • Railroads Tansform the West
  • Industrial United States
  • Immigrants 1895–1929
  • World War I in Europe
  • Great Depression and Dust Bowl
  • World War II in Europe 1939–1942
  • World War II in the Pacific 1941–1945
  • Great Migration 1940–1970
  • Korean War
  • Cold War
  • Vietnam War
  • Persian Gulf War
  • A Shifting Population
  • Immigrants Sinve 1970

World History

  • New Babylonian Empire
  • Ancient Egypt
  • Chinese Dynasties
  • Ancient India
  • Athens and Sparta
  • Alexander’s Empire
  • Roman Empire
  • Barbarians and the Roman Empire
  • Silk Road and Eurasian Trade
  • Byzantine Empire
  • Charlemagne’s Frankish Empire and the Holy Roman Empire
  • Spread of Islam
  • World of the Crusades
  • China in the Middle Ages
  • Mongol Conquest
  • Rise and Fall of Shogun Japan
  • Exploration
  • Maya, Aztec, and Inca
  • European Exploration and Land Claims
  • African Empires and States
  • Rise of Ottoman Empire
  • Reformation and Counter Reformation
  • European Trading Empires
  • Rise and Fall of Mughal Empires
  • Independence in the Americas
  • Napoleon’s Europe
  • Europe After the Congress of Vienna
  • Africa Under Foreign Rule
  • World War I
  • World War II
  • Cold War
  • World Conflicts Since 1991

Texas

  • Spanish Explorers
  • Western Explorations
  • Trails West
  • War with Mexico
  • Indian Wars
  • Railroads & The West
  • Great Migration
  • population Loss and Growth
  • Native Americans in TX
  • Spanish Settlements
  • Republic of Texas
  • Energy Resources of TX
  • Texas Readiness Map
  • Texas Desk Map
  • Texas State Map