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This inquiry leads students through an investigation of regionalization by studying Kentucky. By investigating the compelling question about whether or not Kentucky is a southern state, students will need to consider how the study of Kentucky provides a unique lens for thinking about the “what” and “where” of the south. In investigating the people and…
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This inquiry focuses on the concept of religious freedom driven by the compelling question “Does religious freedom exist?” The question establishes the importance of religious freedom and tolerance as a way for students to learn about world religions. In learning more about the compelling question, students identify the major beliefs of world religions and begin…
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This inquiry leads students through an investigation of the ways we remember history, including a variety of memorials and consideration of the omissions in our collective memory. By investigating the compelling question, “What is the best way to remember history?,” students evaluate and explore a variety of types of memorialization, omissions in our collective memory,…
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The idea of Manifest Destiny holds many meanings. For many who moved west, it symbolizes their hopes and dreams. For many of the indigenous people who already inhabited the region, Manifest Destiny brought an end to their way of life. Railroads, trade, and waves of settlers reshaped the physical and natural environment. Manifest Destiny undoubtedly…
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Solar, Wind, Hydropower, and Geothermal energy all provide cleaner alternatives to energy produced by coal, fossil fuels, and natural gas. However, the infrastructure to produce and use these cleaner energies is still growing. In this inquiry students will investigate the compelling question, “How do we ensure our energy is clean?”
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This inquiry leads students through an investigation of the use of reparations to make amends for the enslavement, exploitation, and generational racism Black people have endured. The compelling question﹣Why are reparations controversial?﹣asks students to evaluate the controversy surrounding reparations payments, engage with narratives of Black people, and compare precedents set by organizations and governments. This…
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In 2026, the U.S. fertility rate fell to a record low of 1.6 births per woman, well below the 2.1 replacement rate. This reflects a larger global trend affecting nearly two-thirds of the world. As birth rates decline, the U.S. faces a shrinking workforce, aging population, and growing pressure on programs like Medicare and Social…
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This inquiry focuses on why enslaved people resisted slavery, the ways in which enslaved people showed resistance despite risks and the results of resistance. The questions, tasks, and sources in this inquiry asks students to examine the cultural, economic and political impacts of resistance to slavery. The first supporting question asks, “What about the daily…
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This inquiry focuses on the rights of citizenship that African Americans were denied following Reconstruction. Though the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments were passed in order to guarantee citizenship rights to freedmen, many states passed laws that limited these rights. In this inquiry, students will examine ways rights of citizenship were denied by many states…
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The “Roaring ‘20s” was a period of unparalleled economic success, but by the end of the decade, it all came crashing down. In this inquiry, students will determine the major causes of the Crash of 1929 by using newspaper headlines from the crash.
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Following the chaos of World War I and the Spanish Flu, the 1920s was a period dominated by social change. Nicknamed “The Roaring ’20s,” the decade saw people redefining American culture in positive and negative ways. In this inquiry, students examine cultural movements and events of the 1920s to determine what made them roar.
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In this lesson, students learn to take informed action by preparing public comments to present to a state board of education. They begin by analyzing an example of an effective public comment to understand strategies for advocacy, then review their state’s social studies standards on the civil rights movement to identify inaccuracies, omissions, and biases…
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This inquiry guides students through an investigation of the actions of Ruby Bridges during the Civil Rights Movement. By investigating the compelling question, students examine: how Ruby Bridges participated in the Civil Rights Movement, what issues and problems led to the integration of public schools, and the dangers that Ruby Bridges faced. By completing this…
This inquiry engages kindergartners in exploring the various ways people interact with and act upon rules and laws in society. The compelling question “Are all rules good rules?” assumes that while students generally enter school with some concept of rules and what it means to follow or break them, they may not yet understand who…
This inquiry leads students through an investigation of personal liberties vs. public safety. By investigating the compelling question “Should safety outweigh freedom?” students evaluate the constitutionality of government actions that originate from a desire to protect the American public. The formative performance tasks build on knowledge and skills through the course of the inquiry and…
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This inquiry leads 4th grade students through an investigation of the Santa Fe Trail and its impact on communities, states, and nations. The compelling question, “For Better or Worse, How Did the Santa Fe Trail Change America?” gives students the opportunity to think deeper about the Santa Fe Trail and its impact on the United…
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This inquiry leads students through an investigation of the education system in the United States, focusing on the extent to which systemic racism continues to plague modern schooling. Students investigate schooling before and after the Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court case in order to evaluate the impact and effectiveness, or “success,” of school…
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This inquiry approaches the relationship between the Bible and the natural sciences using the theme of “wonder,” looking specifically at the “big questions” that emerge out of our sense of awe and curiosity with the natural world. It will also include important figures and events that preceded and followed that moment, ranging from ancient to…
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This inquiry leads students through an investigation of the complex trade networks throughout Eurasia, collectively known as the “Silk Road.” By investigating the compelling question, students evaluate the descriptor “Silk Road” by considering its accuracy and determining whether or not this label should continue to be used or if there is a more appropriate title…
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This inquiry leads students through an investigation of the influence of slavery on the history of individual states, particularly highlighting Kentucky. (The blueprint for this inquiry was purposefully written so as to allow for other states or regions to adapt it to their local particulars.) By investigating the compelling question–How did slavery shape my state?–students…
This inquiry leads students through an investigation of rights and responsibilities involved when posting to social media. By investigating the compelling question “Social media, why can’t I post that?”, students evaluate the power of the written word, its effect on others, and civic responsibility toward others. The formative performance tasks build on knowledge and skills…