As part of our vision for meaningful, culturally-responsive, inquiry-based social science, we know our classes are where young people have the opportunities to examine, question, and challenge what is currently happening in their communities, and apply that learning to take informed action.

This year, the mini-inquiry yearlong Essential Question is:

    ⟜  How do we honor our identities and histories to build and strengthen communities of belonging? 

   This Essential Question and  inquiries provide opportunities for students to analyze sources, ask questions, and make connections between past and present. By engaging in these mini-inquiries, students not only honor the resilience and achievements of diverse groups of Americans recognized during heritage months, but also deepen their understanding of how culture and the stories we share shape identity and community today.

   Throughout the week-long standards aligned min-inquiry unit, students develop their inquiry skills and utilize tools and methods of real social scientists- questioning, source evaluation, data analysis, communicating conclusions, and taking  informed action with their classmates in collaborative structures that foster empathy, elevate student vice, and highlight how diverse experiences shape our shared community history and identity.

Democracy is learned by doing, and not just during election years. To support teachers and students, the CPS Department of Social Science has created K–12 election mini-inquiries and relevant social emotional learning resources that foster dialogue, curiosity, and community. These inquiry-based lessons invite students to explore what it means to live in a democracy, investigate voter participation, and consider how people use their voices to shape communities.

Each mini-inquiry lesson includes grade-specific plans, activities, and materials designed to engage students in all four dimensions of the inquiry process. Students explore perspectives, policies, and issues, and then have the opportunity to take informed action based on what they’ve learned. Use these lessons to launch your students’ inquiries into Primary, Presidential, Local School Council, and/or School Board elections. Together, these resources foster critical thinking, empathy, and civic engagement—essential skills for students to thrive in 2026 and beyond.