inquirED Blog
Your source for inquiry-based learning and teaching strategies.
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Elementary Social Studies
Making the Case for Elementary Social Studies
A growing body of research confirms the importance of elementary social studies.
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Teaching in an Election Season: Rights and Responsibilities
In an age of polarization, it’s understandable that you might want to avoid talking about politics. Don’t. Instead, if you’re worried about addressing hot button issues, take refuge in the process. Teach about the governing bodies, offices, and powers at the local, state, and national levels.
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Elementary Social Studies
Inquiry Unit Design
Inquiry in the classroom follows a process that begins with a question, moves through an investigation, and ends in action. But that seemingly simple process is actually incredibly complex. Let’s explore some of that complexity by examining each step in more detail.
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Elementary Social Studies
2nd Grade Social Studies Curriculum: Meeting Needs and Wants Unit Launch
Communities are created to meet our common needs, giving us a sense of belonging, trust, care, and safety. During this unit, 2nd-grade social studies students work together to design their own community model, discovering how community members work together to shape the world around them.
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Lesson Strategies
Think-Pair-Share | Inquiry Lesson Plan Strategy
A Think Pair Share gives every student the opportunity to be heard. Students who have difficulty sharing ideas in a large group have a chance to rehearse with a partner, and those who always want to share are guaranteed the chance to be heard by at least 1 partner, if not the whole class.
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Lesson Strategies
"Yes, And..." | Inquiry Lesson Plan Strategy
This structured protocol helps students respond and add to others’ ideas rather than criticizing or modifying them. Use it to support students’ development of individual project ideas and their ability to thought-partner with each other.
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Lesson Strategies
Idea Clustering | Inquiry Lesson Plan Strategy
Idea Clustering allows students to see the connections their ideas have with others’ ideas, supporting the development of collaborative projects or topics of investigation. Use this process to help establish interest groups for collaborative work, or to synthesize many diverse ideas into a more concise list of options.
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Lesson Strategies
I Like, I Wonder | Inquiry Lesson Plan Strategy
This protocol supports students’ ability to share their undeveloped ideas with peers while receiving affirmation and getting initial, low- stakes feedback. Use this format to support critique skills and peer collaboration as new ideas are being developed in an inquiry.
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Take a closer look at Inquiry Journeys
Inquiry Journeys (K–5 social studies curriculum) provides inquiry-based instruction for young learners through hands-on investigations and primary source analysis. Explore how elementary students build knowledge and skills by asking questions, analyzing evidence, and connecting learning to their lives and communities.
