McGraw-Hill Unveils New Digital Geography Titles for Middle and High School Students at the National Council for the Social Studies Annual Conference

ST. LOUIS, Nov. 21, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- NCSS CONFERENCE (BOOTH #219) -- Today, at the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) Annual Conference, McGraw-Hill announced the expansion of McGraw-Hill networks™, the company's digital social studies program for middle and high school students, with the introduction of two new interactive geography titles. Discovering World Geography (for middle school) and Geography: The Human and Physical World (for high school) were designed to address both the National Geography Standards and the National Council for the Social Studies Standards, and written with a close eye toward the Common Core State Standards. Both programs will begin rolling out into classrooms in 2014.

Whether its uncovering the mysteries of the Andes mountain range through a 360-degree topographical model, embarking on a historical virtual tour of the most bustling cities in Europe, or clicking through a colorful slide show of indigenous plant species, Discovering World Geography and Geography: The Human and Physical World provide students with an immersive experience to help them develop a well-rounded understanding of topics and issues that are critical in today's global society. Through an extensive library of online resources, students are transported through time and space with interactive maps and timelines, animations, video lessons and games, which can all be personalized to support differentiated instruction. The titles are also designed in a way to support English Language Arts instruction and to supplement and reinforce the development of critical reading and writing skills – an essential piece to driving students toward Common Core literacy.

"Research suggests that it is increasingly difficult for teachers to find time for social studies instruction, especially in the era of the Common Core State Standards, but it is a subject that is actually growing in importance as our economy and society become more global and our students become students of the world," said Christine Willig, senior vice president at McGraw-Hill. "Our new geography titles not only enhance students' global perspectives and knowledge, but do so in ways that also strengthen their literacy and critical thinking skills and engage them in technology-rich virtual journeys around the world."

Through Networks' highly customizable platform, teachers are able to personalize their lessons by adding their own content, manage and track the progress of each individual student, develop presentations, assign homework and tailor assessments as needed. Furthermore, tools such as leveled readers and a Reading Help-Desk provide teachers with ample support and offer students reading strategies and vocabulary practice to help them connect with content on a much deeper level, driving them to Common Core mastery.

The NCSS Annual Conference, now in its 93rd year, is the largest and most comprehensive social studies professional development conference in the world. At this year's conference, themed "Gateway to the Core of Learning," educators and publishers, as well as writers of the new College, Career and Civic Life (C3) Framework for Social Studies State Standards, will participate in more than 100 sessions addressing the Common Core ELA Standards for History and Social Studies. At the McGraw-Hill booth (BOOTH #219), visitors will have the opportunity to take part in a variety of activities, including product demonstrations. McGraw-Hill will be posting live tweets throughout the conference (#NCSS13) from the company's Twitter account, @MHEducation.