Celebrating inquiry in every classroom
Teachers across the country shared photos of students in the thick of inquiry — asking questions, testing ideas, and discovering something new. Here are the classrooms that stood out.
Outstanding inquiry across every grade
These classrooms were picked for their creativity, depth of questioning, and student engagement.
The Colonial Era
This end of unit project for the Colonial America unit asks students to explore an important event or aspect of colonial life. Students chose a topic and created an illustration in the medium of their choice. They also wrote a caption that explains the event from the perspectives of the different groups they studied, helping them consider how people experienced the same moment in different ways.
Migration & Movement
After reading about different waves of immigration, third grade students created posters about a specific immigrant group and presented what they learned to the class. The activity sparked discussion about push and pull factors and helped students understand the challenges immigrants faced before and after arriving in the United States.
My Team & Self
In the My Team and Self inquiry unit, students reflected on their own strengths and then identified the strengths of their classmates. They shared and celebrated these qualities as a class while learning how each person contributes to a team. The experience helped students understand the importance of teamwork and appreciating one another.
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Download certificate (PDF)Student Works
Explore examples from the Inquiry Work Gallery.
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We wrote this rap using the criteria for behavior at school. We performed it at our school assembly and then asked the audience questions about what to do in certian situations. The answer was always ask.
Navigating School
Kindergarten
Final Product
We wrote this rap using the criteria for behavior at school. We performed it at our school assembly and then asked the audience questions about what to do in certian situations. The answer was always ask.
Additional Info
Paula Walker from Quality Schools International: IT, Kindergarten
This is our classroom quilt square display. Each student has at least 1 completed square that is displayed, and some from each lesson are combined to make our quilt.
Families Near and Far
1st Grade
Handout
This is our classroom quilt square display. Each student has at least 1 completed square that is displayed, and some from each lesson are combined to make our quilt.
Additional Info
Amanda Fabian from South Brunswick School District: NJ, 1st Grade
Students write one word/short phrases on index cards that describe what contributes to a healthy democracy and add to poster throughout unit.
Rights and Responsibilities
5th Grade
Wall Display
Students write one word/short phrases on index cards that describe what contributes to a healthy democracy and add to poster throughout unit.
Additional Info
Angela Kastrava from Canby School District: OR, 5th Grade
The students focused on an important tradition within their family and culture to create a picture book/ebook. They enjoyed the creative process and took great pride in planning and sharing.
Families Near and Far
1st Grade
Final Product
The students focused on an important tradition within their family and culture to create a picture book/ebook. They enjoyed the creative process and took great pride in planning and sharing.
Additional Info
Beth Caruso from South Brunswick School District: NJ, 1st Grade
We will create an ABC Book on Sustainability to inspire our community to use natural resources responsibly.
Natural Resources of the U.S.
4th Grade
Final Product
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We will create an ABC Book on Sustainability to inspire our community to use natural resources responsibly.
Additional Info
Valeria Laitinen from Quality Schools International: IT, 4th Grade
Global Connections
3rd Grade
Final Product
Additional Info
Stacey Chu from Quality Schools International: IT, 3rd Grade
Families Near and Far
1st Grade
Investigation Questions Anchor Chart
Additional Info
Amanda Fabian from South Brunswick School District: NJ, 1st Grade
We started this Inquiry with our Investigation questions which we have now started to answer as we continue to work through this inquiry. This footsteps visual is great to show students what they are learning and display these so they can be proud of their work. We are in the middle of Module 5 in this inquiry and are about to begin our present footsteps on our path to equality and justice.
The 20th Century Civil Rights Movement
3rd Grade
Wall Display
We started this Inquiry with our Investigation questions which we have now started to answer as we continue to work through this inquiry. This footsteps visual is great to show students what they are learning and display these so they can be proud of their work. We are in the middle of Module 5 in this inquiry and are about to begin our present footsteps on our path to equality and justice.
Additional Info
Carley Sweeney from Allamakee Community School District: IA, 3rd Grade
Students created a quilt from family papers and a cookbook to show family foods.
Families Near and Far
1st Grade
Final Product
Students created a quilt from family papers and a cookbook to show family foods.
Additional Info
Theresa Meadors from Bloomington District 87 Schools: IL, 1st Grade
Students researched an innovator, completing the profile handout. These were on display at an innovation fair held by the school.
Innovation
2nd Grade
Handout
Students researched an innovator, completing the profile handout. These were on display at an innovation fair held by the school.
Additional Info
Barbara Mastin from Deerfield Public Schools District 109: IL, 2nd Grade
In a group, students created maps with a key and legend. Some groups tried to represent their hometown; others created a fictional village. Some teachers had students create a map as a cumulative project and included landforms as a feature within the map.
Our Special Location
1st Grade
Final Product
In a group, students created maps with a key and legend. Some groups tried to represent their hometown; others created a fictional village. Some teachers had students create a map as a cumulative project and included landforms as a feature within the map.
Additional Info
Barbara Mastin from Deerfield Public Schools District 109: IL, 1st Grade
Ancient Egypt Anchor Chart
Ancient Egypt
6th Grade
Investigation Questions Anchor Chart
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Ancient Egypt Anchor Chart
Additional Info
Allan Cupicciotti from Chicago Public Schools - GALILEO SCHOLASTIC ACADEMY OF MATH AND SCIENCE : IL, 6th Grade
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