Cengage School

Middle School Social Studies Solutions That Speak to Every Student

Bring the world into your middle school classroom through immersive stories, vivid visuals and hands-on social studies learning that sparks curiosity and critical thinking.

About Our Middle School Social Studies Programs

Immersive social studies content inspires inquiry and critical thinking

National Geographic Learning Social Studies transforms middle school learning. Immersive content, striking visuals and inquiry-driven experiences fuels curiosity and builds life-long skills.

Discover the Stories that Shape Us

From American history to global cultures, civics, and ancient civilizations, each title in our National Geographic Learning Social Studies collection gives middle school learners a deeper understanding of social studies.

National Geographic Learning World Cultures & Geography

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National Geographic Learning World Cultures & Geography: Eastern Hemisphere

National Geographic Learning World Cultures & Geography: Western Hemisphere

National Geographic Learning U.S. History: American Stories

National Geographic Learning U.S. History American Stories: Beginnings to 1877

National Geographic Learning Civics and Citizenship

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National Geographic Learning World History: Great Civilizations

National Geographic Learning World History Great Civilizations: Ancient Through Early Modern Times

Why Choose National Geographic Learning for Your Middle School Social Studies Classroom?

Inquiry-Based Learning

Builds curiosity and critical thinking with project-based learning and Document-Based Questions (DBQs), grounded in the College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework.

Support for All Students

Provides differentiated instruction, modified texts, ReadSpeaker audio and graphic organizers to support striving readers, English learners and high-achieving learners alike.

Authentic National Geographic Content

Delivers exclusive articles, photography and Explorer stories from National Geographic, bringing unmatched authenticity and a global perspective to every lesson.

Partner for Social Studies Success

Provides professional development, auto-graded assignments and digital tools that make planning and instruction easier.

Great Teaching Deserves Great Support

At National Geographic Learning, we're partners every step of the way—offering tools, training and guidance to ensure success in the classroom.

Comprehensive Professional Learning
Instructional Tools That Work
Seamless Digital Integration
A True Partnership

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What Educators Are Saying

We really enjoy the pictures and the sections that focus on specific time periods or events in history. For example, in World History, we explored inventions throughout time and discussed the Industrial Revolution. I appreciate how the materials and resources for each time period help connect the units. Plus, every unit begins with a timeline, which is a great way to set the context.

Emelika Clark County, NV

I believe one of the most impactful features is the inclusion of both primary and secondary sources within the texts. These sources are excellent, and they’ve provided us with the opportunity to create greater continuity across schools and classrooms. Everyone is working with the same source materials, which helps promote a more cohesive approach. This, I think, has been one of the most exciting aspects of the construction materials.

Sarah Brown Social Studies Specialist, Washoe County School District, NV

We've always loved Cengage, and we’ve always loved National Geographic, but after attending the National Conference for Social Studies in Boston, our excitement and appreciation have only grown. You’ve truly motivated us to get involved, step up, and embrace new opportunities. We’re more inspired than ever!

Emelika Clark County, NV

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Connect with a representative to explore our social studies resources and request a sample.

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