State

Stories are an integral part of human experience. Traditions of storytelling stretch back to the beginning of human existence and continue unto the present. We tell stories every day: to our parents about our day at school, to our best friends about our date at the mall over the weekend, as a way to remember people we miss, as a way to teach lessons, and so forth. We hear stories every day: through the news, from our grandparents, gossip from our neighbors, and so on.

This inquiry leads students through an investigation of stories and their importance. The students and teacher will seek to answer the compelling question, “Do stories matter?”. This investigation is aided through the examination of a variety of sources that tell us the how and why of storytelling and its connection to our history and culture.

The Heart of Social Studies

Inquiries

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Stories are an integral part of human experience. Traditions of storytelling stretch back to the beginning of human existence and continue unto the present. We tell stories every day: to our parents about our day at school, to our best friends about our date at the mall over the weekend, as a way to remember…

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This inquiry leads students through an investigation of the current state of the shrinking Great Salt Lake and evaluation of current proposals to mitigate further shrinking. This inquiry requires basic prerequisite knowledge of issues surrounding water scarcity and climate change. The Great Salt Lake is facing critical water shortages due to water diversion for agricultural…

This inquiry leads students through an investigation of student advocacy as motivated by personal emotions into informed action. The compelling question—How can I channel my emotions to make a difference?—seeks to assess the practical steps and components involved in successfully taking an emotional response and transforming it into tangible steps for change. The inquiry looks…

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This inquiry leads students through an investigation of the nature of indigenous society. The inquiry focuses on indigenous society in Utah and opens with a question about Prehistoric Utah.  From there, students examine indigenous artifacts to learn more about society. Lastly, consider how societies impact and utilize their environment.  To understand indigenous society in Utah,…

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This inquiry provides students with an opportunity to learn about the New Deal in an interesting and provocative manner, through the lens of environmentalism. The inquiry establishes this context by opening with a supporting question about the environmental or conservation movement and actions in the first half of the 20th century. With this grounding, students…

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This inquiry leads students through an investigation of the history and impact of Jim Crow laws. The inquiry opens with a supporting question that encourages students to explore the opportunities and challenges that the Reconstruction posed for African Americans. This work provides a base of knowledge for students to investigate specific opportunities for African Americans…