Authored by Katherine Oliver What is the biggest fear incoming teachers have when preparing for their first classroom? While there may seem to be a myriad of options from poor classroom management to a student uprising, at the heart of every worry is the ability to get student buy-in. Student
Inquiry at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center When I taught tenth-grade American history, I had a sign on my classroom wall that read Never stop asking WHY. As an eager new teacher, I had plans to utilize inquiry in my classroom and envisioned my students, under my tutelage, asking
“We inherit our history.” It was a phrase I often used to begin my year in the hopes of sparking student agency and making history relevant. But as an early teacher in social studies and ELA, misconceptions about the importance of authentically investigating history filled my brain. I knew I
As I recently waited to pick up my child from school, I noticed a plaque that said the school was built in 1939 as part of the New Deal Works Progress Administration. I had walked by this sign several times and never noticed. Putting on my teacher hat, I thought
Where’s the time for inquiry? You may have your students do Inquiry Design Model inquiries throughout the year or you may do one a semester. If you are just entering the inquiry world, you may not have done any before! In Kentucky, my home state, new social studies standards have
One of the more difficult parts of writing inquiries is often crafting a compelling question. As teachers, we ask questions every day. We ask essential questions to help students address “essential” content. We ask supporting questions to help break up complex tasks and check for understanding. A compelling question’s role
The face of an inquiry may be the compelling question, but the strength of an inquiry and its questions is grounded in sources. The most compelling of compelling questions can’t go anywhere if sources do not support it. Just like scholars’ research, student argumentation must be grounded in evidence. Without
Recently, I read social science researchers are way too weird. WEIRD stands for Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic. Between 2003-2007, 96% of behavioral science research used WEIRD subjects. Accordingly, conclusions about the human mind are based on this very specific demographic group. However, WEIRD subjects are, well, weird themselves
There is one thing on which both sides of the political spectrum agree – our country is in a hyper-partisan era. Tribal partisanship and blind uncritical acceptance of information has become all too banal. However you position yourself on the political spectrum, teachers are in a precarious position as they
“Sorry, Carly,” she said, looking at me with shame in her eyes. “I had to cut the social studies lesson.” It was a Friday night. A friend of mine, “Ms. Kyles,” who teaches 4th grade, was sharing the stressful week she had. Generally, Ms. Kyles indicated, she had a good
These are inquiries that fit in the 9th grade World History 1 course (ONLY 1 SEMESTER)
Possible inquiries for World History. Will need to be broken down into units or concepts– this is just the first glance.
This Building Block Inquiry stack will look at examples of extremism both left wing and right wing throughout American History.
These four inquiries explore profound aspects of the human experience—from historical suffering and political ethics to fundamental economics and the nature of the American identity—all of which can evoke a sense of Awe.
Photography serves as a poignant story of the past, offering visual narratives that transcend time and space. Through the lens of historical photographs, we gain intimate glimpses into pivotal moments, societal shifts, and individual experiences frozen in time. These images capture the essence of historical events, from wars and revolutions to everyday life, allowing students to empathize with the people and their stories.
Activism as a focus for inquiry invites students to explore how individuals and groups take action to promote change in their communities, nations, and the world. Through examining historical and contemporary examples of activism, students can engage with questions of justice, citizenship, and the responsibilities of participation in democratic life. Inquiries centered on activism encourage learners to consider both the motivations behind civic action and the strategies used to influence public policy and opinion.