This book guides and empowers secondary social studies teachers to craft inquiry-based learning within their classrooms that fit their students’ needs and interests.
Inquiry is necessary in a democracy–especially an increasingly polarized one. Open inquiry promotes critical thinking and teaches the importance of evidence-based arguments to students. The role of the teacher is still fundamentally important and necessary when facilitating an inquiry in the classroom, and well-crafted inquiries provide ample context and are well supported by the instructor. This text provides readers with practical examples from scholarship and experienced educators demonstrating ways teachers can use inquiry to teach social studies better. Teachers will gain a rich understanding of how to teach with primary sources through inquiry-based learning and to build meaningful inquiries for their classrooms. Each chapter ends with an inquiry for preservice teacher preparation.
With best strategies for inquiry design, facilitation, and modification for students at various reading and grade levels, this is an essential guide for secondary social studies and history teachers to incorporate open inquiry into their classes.