The Hands-On Social Studies series is an instructional program for teachers of grades 1 to 6 social studies. Based on recent research in social studies education, Hands-On Social Studies assists teachers in developing students’ knowledge, skills, and attitudes through active inquiry, problem solving, and decision-making. The program is activity-based and child-centred, meaning that students are engaged in Hands-On activities in a real-life context to explore the world around them.

The Hands-On Social Studies program has been designed to focus on the goals of your social studies curriculum. Using the topics from your curriculum, the Hands-On Social Studies series provides instructional support for teachers. Each grade-level resource guide includes two to five instructional units. Each unit is complete with suggested websites and books for children, social studies vocabulary lists, social studies background information, detailed lesson plans focusing on specific curricular outcomes, and blackline masters for lesson visuals and activity sheets. The program also offers a comprehensive and authentic assessment plan.