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This inquiry leads 5th-grade students through an investigation of the American Revolution and the varying impacts of individuals who could be deemed heroes based on their impact. The compelling question, “What defines a hero?” allows students to consider all the actions of an individual and if they think that they are worthy of the title…
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History turns due to a complex interplay of factors including technological advancements, economic shifts, cultural transformations, and the actions of influential individuals, all of which can create significant shifts in the course of human societies over time.
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This inquiry leads students through an investigation of the issue of preserving historic lands and the challenges that face preservation. By investigating the compelling question “Is Progress More Important than Preservation?” students evaluate whether preservation is always the most important consideration, or if there are times when progress must become a priority. The formative performance…
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This lesson challenges students to choose a song to nominate for inclusion in the Library of Congress’s National Recording Registry. They will explore the criteria for nominating a song and use reasoning and analysis skills to determine whether a song is relevant to the historical context of a given period. Students will then make a…
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This inquiry leads students through an investigation of the ways in which people gain and exercise power. Power is a social phenomenon that comes in many forms. However, it is often the case that the ways that people achieve power helps to determine how that power is used. Although this compelling question is broad, the…
This inquiry encourages kindergartners to expand their study of self and others by deepening their understanding of the role of traditions, holidays, and symbols in establishing cultural identity and unity. The compelling question “What makes holidays special?” reflects an enduring conversation about how and why people engage in ritual and tradition. It is respectful of…
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This inquiry focuses on examining a painting from a Holocaust survivor, a quote from a survivor, and an excerpt from an interview from a liberator to explore how art can express the pain of the Holocaust and how using a combination of first-hand sources can provide a better understanding of specific events of the Holocaust….
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This inquiry focuses on examining two pieces of Holocaust survivor art to explore how art can express the pain of the Holocaust. The questions, tasks, and sources in this inquiry asks students to examine two sculptures created by a Holocaust survivor using Visual Thinking Strategies then use their observations to drive discussion and analysis during…
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This inquiry focuses on examining two pieces of Holocaust survivor art to explore how art can express the pain of the Holocaust. The questions, tasks, and sources in this inquiry asks students to examine one painting and one drawing created by a Holocaust survivor using Visual Thinking Strategies then use their observations to drive discussion…
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This inquiry focuses on examining two pieces of Holocaust survivor art to explore how art can express the pain of the Holocaust. The questions, tasks, and sources in this inquiry asks student to examine two pieces of art, a painting and a sculpture, using Visual Thinking Strategies then use their observations and analysis of the…
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This inquiry focuses on examining a painting from a Holocaust survivor and the artist statement to explore how art provides a partial understanding of the life circumstances of the artist but does not provide a complete understanding. The questions, tasks, and sources in this inquiry asks student to examine one piece of art using Visual…
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A critical examination of the opportunities and challenges of using AI in lesson planning. Rather than talking about AI as either a solution or a threat, the inquiry asks us to consider to possibilities – AI might usefully scaffold and strengthen inquiry design – AI could undermine our thinking, judgment, and intellectual engagement.
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This inquiry leads students through an investigation of human-environment interactions using the ahupua’a of Waimanalo and Kailua as a case study. By investigating the compelling question, students examine the environmental particulars of their region, the ways in which humans have historically interacted with the environment, and the current environmental characteristics. This inquiry embeds the Taking…
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This inquiry leads students through an investigation of the Hunter-Dunbar expedition, commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson after the purchase of the Louisiana Territory from France. By investigating the compelling question “Is the Hunter-Dunbar Expedition Worth Remembering?” students evaluate the contributions Dr. George Hunter and William Dunbar made in the discovery and cataloguing of natural resources,…
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Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast in August of 2005, leaving behind catastrophic damage and flooding. Relief efforts were supported by multiple government agencies, international partners, and NGOs, but still took years. In its aftermath, Americans looked back on how the response was handled and its larger impact on society. In this inquiry students will…
This kindergarten inquiry leads students through an investigation of self by recognizing that all humans have both unique and similar characteristics. By investigating the compelling question “Is everyone unique?” students begin to see how they are similar to and different from their classmates. The study of similarities and differences among individuals provides the foundation for…
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The 2026 World Cup brought together people from different countries, cultures, languages, and traditions to celebrate a shared love of soccer. While teams competed on the field, fans from around the world gathered to learn from one another, share their stories, and build connections across cultural differences. Their experiences showcased how differences can foster a…
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Photographs of immigrants from the early 1900s offer important insights into their communities. At the same time, photographs from the era required long exposure times, were taken in black and white, and did not always provide a complete or unbiased view of reality. In this inquiry, students explore images of Chinese immigrant communities in the…
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This inquiry leads students through an investigation of the experiences faced by immigrant groups who traveled to New York throughout the mid-nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Understanding those experiences helps students develop keen insights into the cultural fabric of New York State. In examining the initial hopes of immigrants and their reasons for coming to…
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The goal of this inquiry is to help students develop their thinking in terms of continuity and change through learning about US immigration policy actions and their effects over time. By examining whether there is anything new about current immigration policy debates, students compare and contrast the discourse around immigration at three key moments in…
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Choropleth population distribution maps use shading to show how population varies across different regions. By comparing the shades on the map, students can identify population patterns and see where people are, and are not, concentrated. These maps allow a unique opportunity for students to practice key geography skills like map reading and identifying patterns while…
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Between 1899 and 1901, in what became known as the Boxer Rebellion, a Chinese secret organization called the Society of the Righteous and Harmonious Fists led an uprising in northern China against foreign imperialism and associated Christian missionary activity. Western powers, including the United States, intervened and defeated Chinese forces. This inquiry investigates the multifaceted…