State

This inquiry is an exploration into the roots of our modern democracy. It uncovers the idea that a deep influence of Greek architecture (columns on the Parthenon, U. S. Supreme Court building), law, and the Olympic Games impacts the present. It also compares and contrasts Athens as a direct democracy and the United States as a representative democracy, finally leading into deep discussion about how ancient Athenians’ idea that a community should choose its own leaders is deeply rooted in our present form of electing officials.

The Heart of Social Studies

Inquiries

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Ellis Island

This inquiry leads students through an investigation of Ellis Island and its influence on migration to the United States between 1892 and 1954. During its peak in 1907 more than a million immigrants came through Ellis Island seeking a new home in America.

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Presidential Campaigns

This inquiry leads students through an investigation of the modern relevance of presidential campaigns by examining how campaigns are structured, financed, and presented to the American people. By investigating the compelling question, “Do presidential campaigns matter anymore?” students examine historical and contemporary sources that dissect how campaigns have changed over time in order to assess…

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Atomic Bomb

This inquiry leads students through an investigation of the use of atomic weapons and lasting effects of the United States’ nuclear attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. By investigating the compelling question, students examine the reasons why the United States dropped the weapons. By completing this inquiry, students begin to understand the effects of nuclear weapons…

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Women’s Suffrage

This inquiry leads students through an investigation of the Women’s Suffrage Movement and the many ways the story has been told. By developing their own timeline and investigating varying sources, students will investigate differing views and perspectives surrounding the Women’s Suffrage Movement. They will use these sources to create a visual argument for Who tells…

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Disney’s Pocahontas

This inquiry leads students through an investigation of the Disney effect, and how it affects how we view the world, including prominent historical figures like Pocahontas. Students will investigate historic accounts of Pocahontas’s life from the point of view of both Natives and English as well as direct clips from the Disney movies one and…

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Cold War Music

This inquiry leads students through an investigation of how music was weaponized during the Cold War. By investigating the compelling question, students examine the U.S.’s policy of cultural containment through “Jazz Diplomacy”, American popular protest music and the messages of protest music, and the role of American popular music in the Soviet Union in the…

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Greek roots of modern democracy

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Electoral College v. Popular Vote

This inquiry unit is designed for 5th grade students to investigate the election process. Students will learn how the process works and be asked to think critically about it. They will investigate primary sources, biased articles, statistics, and more to eventually form an opinion on this “hot” topic in the United States of America. Throughout…

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New Deal

This inquiry leads students through an investigation of specific programs of the New Deal and the systemic inequities in the implementation of those programs. Further, students will start to develop an understanding on the changing role of the federal government and form a position on what that role ought to be. In addressing the compelling…

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Cuban Missile Crisis

This inquiry leads students through an investigation of the early Cold War. In addressing the compelling question “Is military strength a prerequisite for peace?” students will review primary sources from President Reagan, President Eisenhower, the CIA, the White House, and data on the growth of the American military. Students will add evidence, questions, connections, and…

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