inquirED Blog

Your source for inquiry-based learning and teaching strategies.

Social Studies

Creative ways districts are making time for K-5 social studies

Elementary teachers often struggle to protect time for social studies when ELA and math dominate the schedule. This post shares practical strategies from real districts that show how storytelling, clear expectations, and high-quality curriculum can keep social studies thriving. With intentional planning, districts can ensure students build the knowledge they need for literacy, civic readiness, and lifelong learning.

inquirED

Sep 2, 2025

MIN READ

Social Studies

How Oconomowoc made standards stick

Oconomowoc Area School District adopted a new high quality elementary social studies curriculum to meet new standards. Students now practice key inquiry skills—asking questions, analyzing sources, and collaborating—to build deeper understanding across subjects.

Sep 3, 2025

MIN READ

Social Studies

What is Inquiry-Based Social Studies?

No matter your entry point – we’ve created & curated information to help you build your knowledge of inquiry-based social studies!

Nov 9, 2021

MIN READ

Illustration of teacher reading a story to classroom

Social Studies

The Missing Piece in Reading Comprehension: Social Studies

Reading tests don’t just measure decoding – they measure what students know. When social studies disappears from the elementary day, so does some of the context that makes reading meaningful.

Nov 13, 2025

MIN READ

All blog posts

Thank you! Your submission has been received!

Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Clear filters

Tag

Showing 0 of 100

Webinars

Can Curriculum-Based Professional Learning Transform Teaching?

How can we make professional learning relevant, effective, and connected - so it meaningfully develops teacher practice and improves student outcomes? We explored that compelling question on today’s webinar.

Webinars

The Social Studies Curriculum Review Guide

We discuss inquirED's social studies curriculum review guide and the complex decisions in adopting a new social studies curriculum.

Webinars

Searching for Social Studies: Denver Public Schools

Choosing a social studies curriculum is one of the most important decisions that any school or district can make to improve student outcomes and develop the knowledge and skills students need to be active participants in civic life.

Webinars

Civic Life in the Era of Truth Decay: Making the Case for Elementary Social Studies

How can civics prepare elementary school students for the shifting realities of the modern information age?

Curriculum Leadership

Social Studies Curriculum Review and Adoption

Explore inquirED’s guide and webinar series on evaluating and adopting high-quality social studies curriculum—designed to support inquiry, equity, and effective teaching.

Webinars

Sources as Mirrors and Windows: Making the Case for Elementary Social Studies

For all learners, the disciplines of social studies provide unique opportunities for mirrors and windows.

Webinars

Media Literacy: Making The Case For Elementary Social Studies

Explore how media literacy can be meaningfully taught in elementary social studies, with strategies to help young learners analyze sources in today’s digital world.

Webinars

Social Studies in the Age of Disinformation: Making the Case For Elementary Social Studies

Guest Sam Wineburg joins us for a conversation on the role of social studies in preventing the spread of misinformation and combating the intentional use of disinformation.

Social Studies

Inquiry Journeys: Elementary Social Studies Curriculum Resources

The world outside the elementary social studies classroom continues to change at an unprecedented rate. New movements arise, voices emerge, and dramatic political and social events shift perspectives. Traditional textbooks can’t respond to this rapid pace of change.

No results found.

There are no results with this criteria. Try changing your search.

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.

Learn more

Explore

inquirED Blog