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Public education in America has been a tool for fostering social cohesion and driving reform. While few would dispute that public schools have an important mission in shaping an informed citizenry, the promotion of patriotic activities in schools has sparked controversy over time. Patriotism in public education does not need to be performative, coerced, or…
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Patriotism emerges in various methods of and reasons for protesting when grounded in the ideas of liberty, freedom, and justice for all. The rights and freedoms experienced by those in the United States were hard fought over time and due to the tenacious organizing and protests of everyday citizens. Because the arts can act as…
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Patriotism is reflected in protests when it is grounded in the ideas of furthering liberty, freedom, and justice for all. The rights and freedoms experienced by those living in the United States were hard fought over time, and the result of the tenacious organizing and protests of everyday citizens. By analyzing images of protests over…
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Actions motivated by a love for one’s country are complex, especially during wartime. We often view history through a sentimental lens, particularly regarding World War II and Pearl Harbor. We tend to make assumptions about the acts of patriotism in which everyday Americans must have engaged, influenced by portrayals in films and literature. However, it…
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World War II created a generation of heroes on the warfront as a generation of military families made countless sacrifices so the Allies could defeat the fascist Axis powers. Meanwhile, civilians on the home front also demonstrated what it meant to serve their country. This inquiry asks students to think about the concept of patriotism…
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The compelling question for this inquiry calls on students to conduct an inquiry in the tradition of social history, where students are examining the activities of people who are sometimes overlooked in social studies. The question of how people responded to Pearl Harbor is not as simple as it may seem at first. Students will…
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The Pentagon Papers were a secret government study of U.S. involvement in Vietnam that exposed years of deception about the war’s scope and purpose. Leaked in 1971 by Daniel Ellsberg, the papers revealed information the public had never been told. Although the Nixon administration tried to block publication, the Supreme Court allowed it. The release…
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Commissioned in 1967, the Pentagon Papers were a secret government study that revealed a pattern of government deception regarding the scope and purpose of American actions in Vietnam. In 1971, Daniel Ellsberg, a former military analyst who had worked on the report, leaked it to the media. The Pentagon Papers fueled public distrust in the…
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Every day, people are surrounded by information. Learning to evaluate source credibility is an essential skill for informed decision-making. In this inquiry, students use the topic of energy drinks to investigate how different perspectives shape information and develop criteria for evaluating the credibility of sources.
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Photographers play a powerful role in capturing images of people and places in positions of vulnerability. Photographers can document significant moments and share the stories of individuals and communities experiencing hardship, such as during natural disasters, conflicts, or social crises. With this power, photographers must balance exposing truth with the responsibility for its impact.
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Photography serves as a powerful window into the experiences of migrants during the Great Depression, offering visual narratives that capture their struggles, resilience, and hopes. Through the lens of historical photographs, we gain intimate glimpses into the hardships faced by migrant families, from the dusty fields they worked to the crowded camps where they sought…
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Photography serves as a crucial form of historical evidence, offering visual records that provide insights into the past. Through the lens of historical photographs, we gain direct access to moments in time, witnessing pivotal events, societal changes, and the everyday lives of people. These images act as primary sources that capture the details of historical…
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Photography serves as a powerful window into the experiences surrounding the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York, offering visual narratives that capture the tragedy, resilience, and aftermath of that pivotal moment. Through the lens of these photographs, we gain intimate glimpses into the chaos, loss, and bravery witnessed on that day, from the crumbling towers…
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Photography serves as a powerful window into the experiences surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, offering visual narratives that capture the uncertainty, resilience, and transformation of daily life during this global crisis. Through the lens of these photographs, we gain intimate glimpses into the quiet streets, overwhelmed hospitals, masked faces, and moments of connection amidst isolation.
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In this inquiry, students investigate one of the best-known stories in American history—the interaction between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoags that included the first Thanksgiving. The compelling question “Why did the Pilgrim–Wampanoag friendship go so wrong?” focuses on how the relationship between Native Americans and European settlers deteriorated over time. The Pilgrims’ initial contact with…
Manifest Destiny was the belief that the United States was meant to expand across the North American continent. The painting “American Progress” embodied these ideas and has come to symbolize westward migration. The imagery and symbolism within the painting provide students with an idealized visual representation of the many groups who moved west in search…
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Words in poetry can make a difference in the world because they express powerful emotions, ideas, and experiences in a way that touches people’s hearts and minds. Through this approach, students will develop critical thinking and learn how people can continue to contribute to important causes in their schools, communities, and the world.
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This inquiry leads students through an investigation of the Korean War by investigating the compelling question “Whose voices are heard in history?” through the evaluation of oral histories, newspaper articles, photographs, and monuments. The formative performance tasks build on knowledge and skills through the course of the inquiry and help students identify points of view…
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In this inquiry, students investigate police and policing reform in historical and modern contexts. Framed by the compelling questionㄧHow should we reform policing?ㄧstudents explore the form and function of policing in order to evaluate reforms and create their own reform policy proposal. First, students examine the purpose of policing, considering the role police play in…
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This inquiry leads students through an investigation of the ways in which artists are trying to heal the political polarization that have divided Americans. Students analyze recent events (e.g., the 2024 Fast Car duet between Tracy Chapman and Luke Combs) and how these artists created some national unity in their work. Students start to think…
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Barry Goldwater ran for president in the 1964 election with a hardline conservative platform. Although he lost in a landslide to incumbent Lyndon B. Johnson, his campaign is largely credited with laying the political groundwork for the modern conservative movement. In this inquiry, students will investigate the compelling question, “How do failed candidates influence political…