Core elementary social studies that sparks curiosity
Elementary social studies built on inquiry
Inquiry Journeys, inquirED's K-5 social studies curriculum, engages students in inquiry-based learning, strengthens literacy skills, and supports teachers every step of the way.
Inquiry isn’t an add-on: it’s the foundation
In Inquiry Journeys, inquiry isn’t a bonus. It’s the backbone. While traditional programs treat inquiry as an extra, our curriculum uses it to structure every unit and lesson, from unit-long questions to daily investigations. This consistent process supports teachers and fuels student curiosity so learners don’t just explore: they build deep knowledge and make meaningful connections.
Inquiry Journeys delivers standards-aligned, inquiry-based instruction that transforms how social studies is taught and how students learn.
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A cohesive K-5 social studies program built on compelling questions
See for yourself how Inquiry Journeys units are structured around the inquiry process. Each unit is framed with a compelling question, and broken down into investigation modules, each with their own essential question. Check out our Scope and Sequence to see what content is covered in grades K-5.
When working hard feels like fun
Rigorous investigations, interactive activities, and in-depth projects build knowledge and develop inquiry skills
Kinder
3rd Grade
5th Grade
One source is never enough
Come to think of it, one media type isn’t either.
Inquiry Journeys includes thousands of primary and secondary sources from a wide range of authors in many formats, including: articles, books, audio, video, maps, photographs, and more. Materials are curated to represent multiple perspectives, strengthen media literacy skills, and help students connect learning to their own lives and experiences.
- Thousands of primary and secondary sources embedded into units
- Engaging content from award-winning providers
- Multiple perspectives and viewpoints both current and historical
- Authentic texts, videos, photographs, maps, audio, and more
Learn more about primary and secondary sources in Inquiry Journeys.
Some of our source providers:
Connecting the dots between social studies and literacy
Every Inquiry Journeys lesson engages students in reading, writing, speaking, and listening, building critical literacy skills through the lens of rich social studies content.
- Authentic, complex texts introduce diverse perspectives and build background knowledge
- Scaffolded instruction helps all learners access and engage with rigorous material
- Integrated literacy practice deepens content understanding
With Inquiry Journeys, districts can meet their social studies and literacy goals—without having to choose one over the other.
Practical voices
Elementary social studies that leaders love
Katie
Kindergarten Teacher
Anna
5th Grade Teacher
Paul
4th Grade Teacher
Everything you need for high-quality elementary social studies
Step-by-step lesson plans, flexible student materials, and digital and print resources give teachers what they need to deliver high-quality, inquiry-based social studies.
Instructional supports and features
- Multimodal assessments and literacy skill-building
- Primary and secondary sources from diverse perspectives
- Ready-to-use slide decks, handouts, and assessments
Designed for elementary classrooms
- The curriculum is organized across K–5 in thematic units that encourage depth and continuity
- Lessons include opportunities for investigation, reflection, and connection, designed to support how young learners think and grow over time
Try an interactive demo
Ready to see how all the pieces of the curriculum fit together? From sources offered in multiple modes, to print and digital components, to student-facing materials, to user-friendly teacher lesson plans, sometimes you just have to see it for yourself!
Wondering what’s inside each unit? You’re in the right place.
Explore K–5 social studies units by content and recommended grade level. Districts often have questions about how to align the scope and sequence with their needs, and that’s great! We’re here to help you build a scope and sequence that fits your goals and priorities.
Download a sample lesson from this unit in Inquiry Journeys.
Navigating School
How can we make school a great place for everyone?
Students need to understand the places and people around them to thrive at school. In this Inquiry, students explore their roles at school, investigating how they can make choices that will make school a great place for themselves and those around them.
My Team and Self
How can we unite to build a powerful class community?
To understand what you can accomplish as a team, you need to understand who makes up the team and how those individuals can work together. Students explore elements of personal identity and identify opportunities for teamwork in their class community.
Past, Present, and Future
How can we use wisdom from the past to build a better future?
Understanding our past experiences and how our memories shape us is integral to planning for our future. Students explore concepts of time and memory, discovering and sharing stories and memories that have helped them learn and grow.
Families Near and Far
How can we bring families together to form stronger communities?
Families take many forms; there’s no single definition. In this Inquiry, students identify the roles and responsibilities that contribute to a family. They explore what makes their family unique and the differences they may encounter among different families and cultures.
Our Special Location
How can we help others appreciate our special location?
Our geographic location shapes who we are and how we live. During this Inquiry, students investigate how location and climate shape daily life, and how goods and services meet community needs.
Civic Engagement
How can we work together for the good of the community?
You are never too young to engage in civic life. In this Inquiry, students explore different forms of participation and investigate key civics topics such as rights, fairness, responsibilities, rules, and laws.
Meeting Needs and Wants
How can we work together to meet community needs and wants?
Communities are created to meet our common needs. In this Inquiry, students are introduced to the concepts of needs and wants, scarcity and abundance, the ways that producers and consumers interact, and how individuals and communities make choices about how to use their resources.
Our Changing Landscape
How can we respond to our changing landscape?
Our relationship to the physical world around us begins with our own geographical location. In this Inquiry, students explore access to and dependency on natural resources, how and why we modify the landscape, and the impacts that modifications can have on land, water, and living things.
Innovation
How can we innovate to improve the world around us?
Innovation touches every facet of life – past, present, and future. In this Inquiry, students consider how innovation changes society as a whole as they make their own blueprints for inventing a better world.
Global Connections
How can we act as global citizens?
Is it possible to touch a country and its people without ever setting foot there? In this Inquiry, students explore the geographic ways they are connected to distant places and the people who live there through the movement of people, goods, and ideas.
Migration and Movement
How can we honor and respect our many cultures?
Throughout the history of the United States, immigration has played a large part in shaping our culture, politics, and economy. In this Inquiry, students explore the timeless themes of immigration as they uncover the meaning and value of cultural identity.
The 20th Century Civil Rights Movement
How can we take steps toward equality and justice?
All people in the United States have the right to equal protection under the law. Students investigate how citizens exercise their rights in our democracy through the lens of the Civil Rights Movement.
Natural Resources of the US
How should we use the natural resources of the United States?
Each region of the United States is unique; together, they provide people with the different resources they need to survive. In this Inquiry, students explore the rich natural resources across the US, how people use them, and the ways everyone can help sustain them.
Our State and Region
How can we help tell the story of our state?
The historical roots of early state, local, and regional history are not buried, but alive in the artifacts and monuments around us, as well as the stories that we tell. In this Inquiry, students learn about the first peoples to live in their state and region and the major events of their history.
Economic Choices
How can we make economic choices that have positive impacts?
Throughout our lives, the economic decisions we make affect us and others in our community in profound ways. In this Inquiry, students explore their role as a consumer, producer, and economic decision-maker.
Native America
How can we better honor the cultural heritage of this land?
Ever since their first encounter with Europeans, Native Americans have been misrepresented in the popular imagination and the historical record. Students explore diverse historical sources to form a deeper understanding of Native America’s rich and varied cultures and histories.
The Colonial Era
How can facing the complexities of America’s past help us to meet the challenges of the present?
The European settlement of North America created a collision of worlds that led to profound global impacts. In this Inquiry, students go beyond a single narrative to explore the complex web of events and cross-cultural interactions that helped shape both the past and present of our nation.
The American Revolution
How can we promote life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all?
The American Revolution reshaped society, culture, and government in the American colonies and territories. In this Inquiry, students explore the events, causes, and consequences of the Revolution, uncovering how diverse groups and individuals shaped the course of US history.
See the story of an Inquiry Journeys unit
In the Global Connections social studies unit, students investigate how everyday items—from bananas to backpacks—connect them to people and places around the world.
Grounded in the Inquiry Question “How can we act as global citizens?”, the unit builds essential social studies and literacy skills while reinforcing geography concepts, interdependence, and real-world connections.
Download a sample lesson from this unit in Inquiry Journeys.
The shift to inquiry-based learning doesn’t happen overnight
Professional learning and implementation support are a key piece of the puzzle.
Our team partners with leaders to provide customized implementation support that can include both asynchronous and live support.
Learn more about our Professional Learning and Implementation Services.
Drive district strategic goals with social studies
Inquiry Journeys doesn’t just meet social studies standards. It advances student engagement, sparks innovation in instruction, and promotes active citizenship.
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Aligned to your initiatives, supporting your goals
Access our top three tools leaders and teachers use to solve common barriers to adopting a high quality social studies curriculum.
Boost literacy skills and background knowledge
Social studies and literacy are a great pairing. Learn how social studies reinforces literacy skills and deepens background knowledge.
Align to state social studies standards
This guide has practical strategies that build student-led inquiry skills and deepen critical thinking. You’ll find real examples and actionable steps to support your team in meeting literacy and civic goals, all aligned to state standards...because rigorous learning doesn’t have to mean complicated.
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