In this article, the author talks about the updated National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) Standards that are directed toward those meaningful units and engaging lessons. The revised standards set guiding questions and provide strategies and "Snapshots of Practice" which can be used to combine extensive use of content with suggestions for the activities young people need to become thinking, involved members of society. The revised standards retain the organizing principle of ten social studies themes: (1) Culture; (2) Time, Continuity, and Change; (3) People, Places, and Environments; (4) Individual Development and Identity; (5) Individuals, Groups, and Institutions; (6) Power, Authority, and Governance; (7) Production, Distribution, and Consumption; (8) Science, Technology, and Society; (9) Global Connections; and (10) Civic Ideals and Practices. The additions in the revised standards are expansions to the learning expectations of the original standards. The NCSS Standards add critical features to instructional planning. Social studies teachers need them on the shelf of curriculum binders. (Contains 7 notes.)