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

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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

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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

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Webinars

Making the Case For Elementary Social Studies: District Leaders

There is a movement growing around the country for elementary social studies. How can district leaders support a new curriculum adoption?

Webinars

Wisconsin Makes The Case For Elementary Social Studies

This webinar takes a look at how two districts in Wisconsin - Appleton Area School District and Oconomowoc Area School District - are prioritizing social studies aligned to the Wisconsin Standards for Social Studies.

Webinars

Building Deep Background Knowledge: Making The Case For Elementary Social Studies

What do ELA outcomes have to do with elementary social studies? Social studies improves outcomes by building the knowledge students need to understand what they read.

Webinars

Social Studies Projects: Give Students the Keys to Success

Explore strategies to design, assess, and support student ownership in powerful social studies projects, with tools and webinar resources included.

Social Studies

Elementary Social Studies | What is Informed Action?

Discover the power of Informed Action in elementary social studies! Learn how students can transform knowledge into real-world impact with inquirED.

Webinars

The Social Studies ELA Connection: Making the Case For Elementary Social Studies

Increased social studies instruction has been found to improve students' reading ability. We explore how integrated ELA and social studies curriculum contributes to knowledge building.

Social Studies

Making the Case for Elementary Social Studies

A growing body of research confirms the importance of elementary social studies.

Webinars

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.

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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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.

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