Primary and secondary sources
Primary and secondary sources provide the raw material for students to analyze perspectives, interpret evidence, and construct claims. We select and sequence sources intentionally—ensuring they build background knowledge, represent diverse voices, and support disciplinary thinking. With the right scaffolds, even young students can learn to question who created a source, why it was created, and what it helps us understand about the past and present.
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Real classrooms, real conversations and real curriculum in action.
Looking to deepen your understanding of what high-quality, inquiry-based social studies looks like in practice? Join inquirED this fall for Exploring Inquiry Journeys, a webinar series designed to support school and district leaders. Each session offers practical insights into our K–5 social studies curriculum and the strategies schools are using to engage students, support teachers, and build consistency across classrooms.

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