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February 2025 Mini-Inquiry Resources
February 2025 Mini-Inquiry Resources
The story of Black History Month began more than 100 years ago when the brilliant historian Dr. Carter G. Woodson created the first Negro History Week- the precursor to Black History Month. Like Woodson, the central mission of the Department of Social Science is to support teachers and students in co-creating affirming spaces that honor, recognize, and elevate our diverse perspectives and experiences through the study and analysis of our past, present, and action for our future. To access the mini-inquiry documents, click on the arrow in the right hand corner of the documents below.
January 2025 Mini-Inquiry Resources
January 2025 Mini-Inquiry Resources
ForJanuary, we are grounding our mini-inquiries in exploring the contributions made to society by Americans of different faith groups, Muhammad Ali, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. At the K-2 grade level, our mini-inquiry can help students learn about and understand the importance of religious diversity and honoring people's beliefs, cultures, and customs. You can use the resources in the mini-inquiries to be responsive to your students' curiosities and the unit that you are currently teaching. To access the mini-inquiry documents, click on the arrow in the right hand corner of the documents below.
December 2024 Mini-Inquiry Resources
December 2024 Mini-Inquiry Resources
For December, we are grounding our two mini-inquiries in the same essential question. We offer a mini-inquiry about Human Rights that is grounded in learning about the history of the United Nations and the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights, and we offer a mini-inquiry that explores how we can uplift Human Rights in our communities as we welcome newcomers. You can use the resources in the mini-inquiries to be responsive to your students' curiosities and the unit that you are currently teaching. To access the mini-inquiry documents, click on the arrow in the right hand corner of the documents below.
November Mini-Inquiry Resources
November Mini-Inquiry Resources
For November, we are grounding in the same Essential Question, What does it mean to be a civic actor in my community and others?. National Native American Heritage Month has a long and complex history. It began as an effort to gain a day of recognition for the significant contributions of Native people to the establishment and growth of the U.S at the turn of the century that eventually resulted in President George W. Bush’s designation of November as “National American Indian Heritage Month” in 1990 (source). We must acknowledge that indigenous people are still present, are still fighting for their sovereignty, and that this is their land. As of 2010, Chicago had a population of 26,933 Native American / Alaskan Natives, making us the 7th largest city in the nation with a Native American population (source). Most recently, Illinois passed a Native American History bill that will require all K-12 students to study Native American history, tribal sovereignty, genocide, contributions and more (source). To access the mini-inquiry documents, click on the arrow in the right hand corner of the documents below.
October 2023 Mini-Inquiry Resources
October 2023 Mini-Inquiry Resources
This month, the Social Science Department encourages students to explore the question, “What does it mean to be a civic actor in my community and others?” while celebrating Filipino American History Month, LGBTQIA+ History Month, and Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Indigenous Peoples’ Day recognizes the land’s original inhabitants and honors the heritage of Chicago’s American Indian community. Filipino American History Month highlights significant contributions to U.S. history, emphasizing the importance of including Filipino voices and histories year-round. LGBTQIA+ History Month celebrates the accomplishments of LGBTQIA+ individuals, promoting more inclusive historical education. To access the mini-inquiry documents, click on the arrow in the right hand corner of the documents below.
September 2024 Mini-Inquiry Resources
September 2024 Mini-Inquiry Resources
For September, we begin the school year engaging in the Mini-Inquiry Essential Question: What does it mean to be a civic actor in my community and others? We offer a mini-inquiry on Latinx/e Hertiage Month. What's noteworthy is the composition of the Latinx community within Chicago Public Schools, where Latinx students make up almost half (46.9%) of our student body. These demographics, reflective of our nation, county, and district, strongly emphasize the need to do more than simply celebrate Latinx achievements for a single month. It's imperative that we integrate their voices, intricate identities, historical narratives, and life experiences into our curriculum throughout the entire year. To access the mini-inquiry documents, click on the arrow in the right hand corner of the documents below.
Explore Our Archives!
Explore Our Archives!
Visit our Mini-Inquiry Archives page linked below to view previous months' themes and mini-inquiry resources.
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