Tier 1

Voting is the cornerstone of our democracy. For Black Americans, securing the right to vote has been a battle. While the 14^th Amendment granted Black Americans citizenship in 1868, poll taxes, literacy tests, and intimidation created insurmountable barriers to the polls. Due to the courage of many Americans who marched, protested, and applied consistent pressure on legislators, the 1965 Voting Rights Act prohibited attempts at excluding Black Americans from voting. However, in 2024, voter suppression tactics, such as gerrymandering, limited poll locations and voting times continue to prevent Black Americans from voting. The Walk (A Stroll to the Polls) takes readers along as Granny and her granddaughter, both Black Americans, set out on foot to cast their votes. Along the way, community members join them, creating a large group who arrives at the polls together to, as Granny says, “stand up and say what’s on our minds.” For Granny, this walk is sacred.

The Heart of Social Studies

Inquiries

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Walk Tall: Trade Book Inquiry

Voting is the cornerstone of our democracy. For Black Americans, securing the right to vote has been a battle. While the 14th Amendment granted Black Americans citizenship in 1868, poll taxes, literacy tests, and intimidation created insurmountable barriers to the polls. Due to the courage of many Americans who marched, protested, and applied consistent pressure…

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Speaking Up: Trade Book Inquiry

Young children have a keen awareness of what is fair. Statements like, “she got more ice cream than me!” or “I should get to stay up as late as he does!” signify their observations of and disdain for how people are treated differently. Educators can bring content into the classroom that capitalizes on this predilection…

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Solving Big Problems: Trade Book Inquiry

A notable phenomenon in US schools is the recent increase in book bans. Between 2021-2023, book bans rose 33% in K-12 public schools. The most consistently challenged books are those that center the lives, histories, and perspectives of people of color and members of the LGBTQIA+ community. The Great Banned-Books Bake Sale is a trade…

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Spanish Civil War

This inquiry leads students through an investigation about International Brigade volunteers during the Spanish Civil War. To do so, it relies on the digital history exhibit Stories from the Spanish Civil War, created by the Northern Arizona University (NAU) Martin-Springer Institute (MSI). Teachers can use this lesson in a middle or high school World History…

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Community Helpers

This inquiry leads 2nd and 3rd grade students through an investigation of their community and the impact of their actions on their community. The compelling question, “How do my actions matter to my community?” gives students the opportunity to think deeper about the roles and responsibilities of every member in the community, from everyday people…

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1960s and Revolution

The goal of this inquiry is to present the social movements of the 1960s as an interconnected whole, not just isolated causes. Doing so helps students understand the significance of the era and the mindset of people at the time. 1960s activists– and their critics– often spoke about change as a revolution.

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Underrepresented Servicemen and Servicewomen in the Korean War

Out of the Shadows seeks to guide students to an understanding of the experiences of underrepresented groups of servicemen and servicewomen. In particular, the focus is placed on underrepresented groups of Korean War Veterans, including Hispanics, African Americans, Asian Americans, Native Americans, and women. Listening to the voices of select veterans, students will gain new…

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Black Genius

This inquiry leads students through an investigation of the conflict between the institution of slavery and the new nation’s founding ideals. Black voices are noticeably absent in the early United States’ narrative, but by investigating Black geniuses such as John Parker, Charlotte Dupuy and Lewis, and Harriett Hayden we can honor their resistance, perseverance and…

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Community Action

This action-embedded inquiry leads students through an investigation of how they can make a difference in their community. By featuring an opportunity for students to think through the issues that surround them, the inquiry enables them to choose one to work on, to decide what kinds of action they could take, to assess the challenges…

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United States Senate

This inquiry leads students through an investigation of representation in the Senate. The fact that representation in the U.S. Senate ignores the size of each state’s population has both benefits and challenges. As students work through the supporting questions, formative tasks, and featured sources, they are able to explore those benefits and challenges and decide…

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