Craig Perrier

Dr. Craig Perrier is the High School Social Studies Curriculum and Instruction Specialist for Fairfax County Public Schools in Fairfax, VA. Previously, he taught at American Schools in Brazil and public schools in Massachusetts. After leaving the classroom, he was the Coordinator for Curriculum and Instruction for Social Studies and History at Virtual High School and then the PK-12 Social Studies Coordinator for the Department of Defense Dependent Schools. He invites you to connect about his blogs or any other aspect of social studies education at [email protected].

Supporting State Designed C3 Inquiries at the District Level

It was fantastic to read this recent article published in Social Education,  Teaching to a Better Test: Using the Inquiry Design Model to Reframe State-Mandated Assessment in Social Studies, which describes Virginia’s innovative spirit when it comes to state required testing in social studies.  My excitement flows from multiple origin

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Craig Perrier January 4, 2025

Informing Informed Action with “Systems Thinking” Routines

Author’s note: In a previous blog I shared 45 options for Taking Informed Action. This post builds on those ideas. I am happy to share with you two learning experiences I participated in this summer. Although not intentionally related (one happened in mid-June and the other at the end of

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Craig Perrier August 5, 2019

Designing C3 Inquiries that Make Thinking Visible

Recently, a department chair at one of our 25 high schools here in Fairfax County, Virginia asked me if there will be a project this summer to create additional C3 inquiries for VA standards of learning. The question made me smile as it suggested that teachers were using the 13

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Craig Perrier January 3, 2018

C3 and PBL: A (Taking) Informed (Action) Crosswalk

History literally means “inquiry.” I always love seeing teachers’ reactions when I share this insight in conversations about instruction, or during workshops, or whenever I get the chance to really. I have noticed that this somewhat trivial piece of information elicits an “A-Ha!” moments which, to some extent, reframes the

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Craig Perrier October 30, 2016

Taking In4med Action: 45 Options for Dimension 4     

  In the Summer of 2015 I facilitated a two week workshop with 8 high school social studies teachers on performance based assessments (PBA). This curriculum project provided the opportunity, and context, to formally introduce the C3 Framework and IDM to Fairfax County Public Schools. The team was comprised of

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Craig Perrier December 11, 2015

Summering With the C3 Framework: Tell Me More, Tell Me More…

During the past few annual meetings of the NCSS, the momentum behind the C3 framework has been building. From Seattle to Boston, the trajectory of implementation has been marked by excitement, professional collaboration, and a desire to explicitly articulate how the C3 framework will improve social studies education. Now planning

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Craig Perrier September 30, 2015

C3(PO) meet IBO MYP

Each summer, Fairfax County Public Schools curriculum and instruction specialists develop projects in their content area (Math, Science, Social Studies etc.) and grade levels (Elementary, Middle, High Schools).  We hire teams of teachers to work on these projects, typically lasting between 1-3 weeks.  Ultimately, the end products are part of

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Craig Perrier May 4, 2015

World History 1

These are inquiries that fit in the 9th grade World History 1 course (ONLY 1 SEMESTER)

World History

Possible inquiries for World History. Will need to be broken down into units or concepts– this is just the first glance.

The American Civil War

A collection of inquires related to the American Civil War

Extremism in American History

This Building Block Inquiry stack will look at examples of extremism both left wing and right wing throughout American History.

The AWEsome stack

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.

Photographic Perspectives

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.

Activisim

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.