Treat your students to an exciting hot air balloon ride across the USA. There's lots to see and do as each state is visited (the District of Columbia, too), its history and geography explored, and fascinating facts explained. There are map activities, places and physical features to identify, and topics for further investigation. There are parks, lakes, mountains and swamps to discover as well as the thousands of plants and animals that share our land and water. This product has been selected by a national panel of classroom teachers as a winner of Learning Magazine's Teachers' Choice Award.

The world-renowned scholar and author of Vermeer’s Hat does for China what Mary Beard did for Rome in SPQR: Timothy Brook analyzes the last eight centuries of China’s relationship with the world in this magnificent history that brings together accounts from civil servants, horse traders, spiritual leaders, explorers, pirates, emperors, migrant workers, invaders, visionaries, and traitors—creating a multifaceted portrait of this highly misunderstood nation. China is one of the oldest states in the world. It achieved its approximate current borders with the Ascendancy of the Yuan dynasty in the thirteenth century, and despite the passing of one Imperial dynasty to the next, has maintained them for the eight centuries since. China remained China through the Ming, the Qing, the Republic, the Occupation, and Communism. But despite the desires of some of the most powerful people in the Great State through the ages, China has never been alone in the world. It has had to contend with invaders as well as foreign traders and imperialists. Its rulers for the majority of the last eight centuries have not been Chinese. China became a mega-state not by conquering others, Timothy Brook contends, but rather by being conquered by others and then claiming right of succession to the empires of those Great States. What the Mongols and Manchu ruling families wrought, the Chinese ruling families of the Ming, the Republic, and the People’s Republic, have perpetuated. Yet a contemporary Chinese idea of a ‘fatherland’ that is, and always has been, completely and naturally Chinese persists. Brook argues that China, like everywhere, is the outcome of history, and like every state, rests on its capacities to conquer and suppress. In The Great State, Brook examines China’s relationship with the world at large for the first time, from the Yuan through to the present, by following the stories of ordinary and extraordinary people navigating the spaces where China met, and continues to meet, the world. The Great State includes black-and-white photos throughout.

Italian Renaissance contains 12 full-color transparencies (print books) or PowerPoint slides (eBooks), 12 reproducible pages, and a richly detailed teacher's guide. Among the topics covered in this volume are Renaissance warfare, Florence, the Medici family, Italian humanists, Renaissance popes, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, leisure, medicine, and Renaissance fashion.

What's so great about Washington? Find out the top ten sites to see or things to do in the Evergreen State! We'll explore Washington's scenic coasts, lush parks, iconic landmarks, and rich history. The Washington by Map feature shows where you'll find all the places covered in the book. A special section provides quick state facts such as the state motto, capital, population, animals, foods, and more. Take a fun-filled tour of all there is to discover in Washington.

What's so great about Indiana? Find out the top ten sites to see or things to do in the Hoosier State! We'll explore Indiana's fascinating caves, popular parks, exciting museums, and rich history. The Indiana by Map feature shows where you'll find all the places covered in the book. A special section provides quick state facts such as the state motto, capital, population, animals, foods, and more. Take a fun-filled tour of all there is to discover in Indiana.

What's so great about Illinois? Find out the top ten sites to see or things to do in the Land of Lincoln! We'll explore Illinois's lively cities, historic parks, fun-filled museums, and fascinating history. The Illinois by Map feature shows where you’ll find all the places covered in the book. A special section provides quick state facts such as the state motto, capital, population, animals, foods, and more. Take a fun-filled tour of all there is to discover in Illinois.

What's so great about Iowa? Find out the top ten sites to see or things to do in the Hawkeye State! We'll explore Iowa's refreshing lakes, friendly farms, bustling cities, and rich history. The Iowa by Map feature shows where you'll find all the places covered in the book. A special section provides quick state facts such as the state motto, capital, population, animals, foods, and more. Take a fun-filled tour of all there is to discover in Iowa.

What's so great about Arizona? Find out the top ten sites to see or things to do in the Grand Canyon State! We'll explore Arizona's vibrant cities, stunning rock formations, exciting rodeos, and rich history. The Arizona by Map feature shows where you'll find all the places covered in the book. A special section provides quick state facts such as the state motto, capital, population, animals, foods, and more. Take a fun-filled tour of all there is to discover in Arizona.

What's so great about Puerto Rico? Find out the top ten sites to see or things to do on the Island of Enchantment! We'll explore Puerto Rico's charming cities, iconic landmarks, colorful coral reefs, and fascinating history. The Puerto Rico by Map feature shows where you'll find all the places covered in the book. A special section provides quick territory facts such as the motto, capital, population, animals, foods, and more. Take a fun-filled tour of all there is to discover in Puerto Rico.

What's so great about Connecticut? Readers will build skills to identify and summarize the top ten sites to see or things to do in the Constitution State. We'll explore Connecticut's fun-filled museums, amazing state parks, beautiful coastlines, and rich history. The Connecticut by Map feature helps students locate all the places covered in the book. A special section provides key state details such as the state motto, capital, population, animals, foods, and more. Take a fun-filled tour of all there is to discover in Connecticut.