Inquiry-based learning is a big push in Social Studies right now. Even if you’ve heard the term, you might be asking, “what exactly is inquiry-based learning?” And, “how can I bring inquiry into my Middle School Social Studies classroom?” In Social Studies, inquiry is all about students asking compelling questions and then researching and communicating their research in a meaningful way. One great article I’ve found helpful is this one from Edutopia.
Even though we know inquiry is important, it can feel too big and too overwhelming, especially while teaching virtually, on a hybrid model, or in-person with social distancing restrictions. It can be hard to even know where to start. With all the other things you have to do every day and all the standards you have to teach, inquiry gets pushed to the side.
THE ONE QUESTION
But, what if inquiry-based learning could begin with one simple question? Students could answer that question in a think-pair-share, in a breakout room, on an exit ticket, or using the question feature in Google Classroom. It would only take five minutes of class and would help students understand what historians actually do.
Just. One. Question.
Are you nodding, thinking, “Yes, please help me start simple when it comes to inquiry!” It is possible. Start simple with this one little question:
“What question or questions can we ask about this topic to deepen our understanding?”
HOW TO USE THE QUESTION
Students don’t have to answer the questions they develop, they just have to think of the questions. This makes it manageable for you and for them. It gives you a simple way to introduce your students to inquiry.
Here’s an example: Your students are learning about the causes of the Spanish-American War. Students have spent a class period watching short video clips, reading a secondary source, and examining political cartoons in order to create a foldable that summarizes the causes of the war. For an exit ticket, you ask students, “What question or questions can we ask about this topic to deepen our understanding about the causes of the Spanish-American War?”
With this one question, you incorporate the basics of inquiry and historical thinking skills. And, it only took a few minutes.
Remember, it is always best practice when initially asking students to formulate a question about the topic you are studying to explain that their questions need to focus on big ideas, and not simple questions they could easily answer with a Google Search.
Give them examples and non-examples at first:
- Non-example: How many people died when the Maine exploded?
- Non-example: What is yellow journalism?
- Example: Was the Spanish-American War necessary?
- Example: How did the Spanish-American War affect the soldiers who were involved?
Depending on your students’ level, you can start by giving students a few different questions and asking them to identify the ones that are broad questions (good for inquiry!) and ones that are too narrow (try again!).
Have students practice identifying and/or formulating these types of questions for a couple weeks. Then, you can add in a follow-up question about what types of primary sources would help if a student needed to research that question. It is a simple way for you to give your students practice thinking like a historian without extra planning on your part.
Do not feel like you have to ask your students this one simple question EVERY day. But, try for three times a week. This will build your students’ “thinking like a historian” muscles, so you can effectively integrate more inquiry into your lessons down the road.
Once you have started using this question, you can also find four more questions on this Five Questions for Inquiry Thinking Freebie.
WANT MORE EASY-TO-IMPLEMENT IDEAS FOR USING INQUIRY IN YOUR CLASSROOM?
Want to feel more confident teaching your students inquiry and historical thinking skills in your Middle School Social Studies classroom? My course, coming Summer 2021, is for you! Click here to join the waitlist. You’ll be the first to know about this opportunity for Middle School Social Studies teachers like you.
