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

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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

Supporting the Shift to Inquiry

Explore strategies for shifting to inquiry-based learning, with insights on meeting standards, supporting teachers, and engaging communities in the transition.

Webinars

Integrating SEL and Social Studies

Discover why integrating social and emotional learning into social studies creates deeper, more meaningful instruction—and how schools can support this vital shift.

Social Studies

Culturally Responsive Education in Social Studies

Culturally Responsive Education (CRE) isn’t a program or political stance—it’s a powerful, research-based practice that connects learning to students’ cultures, experiences, and strengths.

Social Studies

Inquiry Advocates: Partners with inquirED

Learn how Inquiry Advocates support teachers by leading professional learning, guiding use of the Inquiry Builder platform, and providing feedback to enhance curriculum.

Social Studies

inquirED's Approach to PD: Curriculum-Based Professional Learning

Explore research supporting inquirED’s Curriculum-Based Professional Learning framework—linking high-quality curriculum, coaching, and collaboration to improve teaching.

Social Studies

The Feedback Loop: Helping Students Give and Receive Feedback

How can you create a classroom that can't live without critique - the structured process of giving, receiving, and incorporating peer feedback to improve student work? It all starts with creating a safe space for critique practices to thrive.

Social Studies

Voice and Choice in Inquiry-Based Learning

Learn how inquiry-based classrooms can empower students through voice and choice—building ownership, resilience, and deeper learning with guided support.

Social Studies

Active Listening in an Inquiry-Based Learning Classroom

Discover strategies to teach active listening in elementary social studies—supporting student engagement, respectful dialogue, and stronger classroom discussions.

Social Studies

inquirED's 21st Century Skills

Explore inquirED’s 21st Century Skills framework—designed to build critical thinking, collaboration, media literacy, and more through inquiry-based social studies.

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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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