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All Activities

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  • Investigation Stations

    Investigation stations provide a source or sources that students use to gather information. Sources might include text, images, artifacts, videos, or even step-by-step activities, and are often clustered by subtopic. Students might choose stations based on interest, or they might...

    • Global Connections Overview

      Is it possible to touch a country and its people without ever setting foot there? From the label on a t-shirt to the sticker on a banana, we come into contact with evidence that the items we use have been...

      • Foundations of Inquiry: Social Studies Syllabus

        Participants engage in seven sessions/courses to develop a deeper understanding of inquiry-based social studies in the context of Inquiry Journeys. Upon completion, participants earn a Foundations of Inquiry-Based Social Studies certification.

        • Accessing your Curriculum

          Learn how to log in, navigate Inquiry Journeys, and understand the structure of units and lessons so you feel confident from the first click.

          • Path
        • inquirED Literacy Practices and Supports Framework

          Literacy is woven into the fabric of elementary social studies learning. As students build social studies content knowledge and disciplinary skills, they engage in deep literacy work: interrogating diverse sources, evaluating and constructing arguments, examining differing points of view and...

          • Unit Roadmap Notecatcher

            Before starting an Inquiry, look at your calendar and create a roadmap to help keep your instruction on track, or to help you stay at the same pace as other teachers in your school or district. Use this tool to...

            • What is an Inquiry Advocate?

              inquirED aims to build district capacity to support Inquiry Journeys - and Inquiry Advocates are central to this work. Inquiry Advocates are individuals identified by our partner schools or districts who receive additional coaching and professional development.

              • Back-to-School Night Slides

                Check out these editable slide decks introducing inquirED that you can make your own for your Back to School or Curriculum Night! See the slides for Inquiry Journeys or the slides for World History.

                • Inquiry Work Gallery

                  Browse examples of student work created through inquiry-based learning. These artifacts highlight the variety of ways students investigate questions, analyze sources, and communicate their thinking through authentic products and performances.

                  • Teaching a Lesson

                    Access lesson prep tools, step-by-step guidance, and assessments designed to help each lesson run smoothly.

                    • Path
                  • Un-level That Text! Integrating Literacy and Elementary Social Studies

                    Social studies and literacy instruction can’t really be separated: social studies requires the examination of complex texts as sources of evidence. If we want students to seek answers to complex questions, conduct sustained investigations, and construct conclusions based on facts...

                    • Text Dependent Questions Graphic Organizer

                      If students are reading independently, in small groups, or in pairs, consider creating several text-dependent questions that require students to stop, locate evidence to support a response, and write the response.

                      • Inquiry Journeys: Inquiry Structure Overview

                        Explore the structure of Inquiry Journeys and how each module builds student knowledge, skills, and agency. Learn how the Launch, Investigation, and Action Modules work together to support deep inquiry and authentic learning experiences in social studies.

                        • Learner Support Guide: Executive Functioning

                          The inquiry-based classroom provides opportunities for student-driven exploration. While this can be highly motivating and engaging, it also places high demands on students' executive functioning skills. Consider the following strategies to provide scaffolds as individual or whole-class supports of executive...

                          • Inquiry Journeys Books

                            Inquiry Journeys includes a diverse collection of books that support student understanding as they move through an Inquiry. Check out the book list and use the book stickers to help organize resources. The stickers are printable and should be used...

                            • The Power of Mid-Year Reflection

                              The mid-year point is a perfect time to engage in structured, intentional reflection. Read this month’s Spotlight to learn how Christine Phillip, Innovation Coach from Franklin Park District 84, helps teachers and coaches get the most out of reflections.

                              • Anticipation Guide Template

                                Using an Anticipation Guide is an excellent way to ensure students have a clear direction and purpose for their reading. In the center column, write main ideas, key details, and important concepts you want students to be on the lookout...