The P.O.W.E.R. Framework is a research-based curriculum design tool that helps organize social studies curriculum with greater coherence, depth & purpose.

How should "Environments" be structured? What should replace the Expanding Environments Model? 

Students should explore social studies concepts through the lens of EVERY "ENVIRONMENT" through EVERY UNIT at EVERY GRADE LEVEL starting from the BIG GLOBAL picture and, over time, zooming into the NATIONAL, then LOCAL, then SELF.

If structuring units by DISCIPLINES is out, how should we structure units?

National social studies standards and social education experts recommend elementary social studies to be structured in an integrated, interdisciplinary way.

History, geography, economics, and civics should be synthesized and taught within every unit.