Social Science Culturally Responsive Mini-Inquiries
Social Science Culturally Responsive Mini-Inquiries
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“Culturally relevant teaching requires that we take seriously the cultures of students—not just as bridges to learning, but as sources of knowledge in themselves.”
— Gloria Ladson-Billings, Toward a Theory of Culturally Relevant Pedagogy (1995)
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.
January 2026 Mini-Inquiries
January 2026 Mini-Inquiries
In January We Honor the Contributions of
In January We Honor the Contributions of
Different Faith Communities &
Different Faith Communities &
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
As we step into the new year, January 2026 serves as a powerful moment to re-anchor our classrooms in stories of faith, resilience, and collective action. This month, we honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. alongside the diverse contributions of faith communities that have shaped the American landscape.
In accordance with Illinois Senate Bill 0564, we celebrate the history of Muslim, Jewish, Christian, Hindu, Sikh, and Buddhist Americans, among others, whose values have fueled movements for justice. This inclusive lens acknowledges the Muhammad Ali Commemorative Holiday on January 17th (Gov. Pritzker, 2021), a milestone championed by the IL Muslim Civic Coalition to highlight how diverse religious beliefs played a pivotal role in the activism of not only Ali and Dr. King, but also the greater collective that fought for civil rights.
January's mini-inquiry units have been tailored for each grade band to engage K–12 students in exploring these histories while answering our Essential Question: How do we honor our identities and histories to build and strengthen communities of belonging? By examining the role of faith in service and sacrifice—from the 15-year grassroots campaign to establish the national MLK holiday (1968–1983) [Source: The King Center], to the daily contributions of various faith practices today—students develop empathy and a deeper sense of identity.
We invite you to bring these conversations into your classroom to show how honoring our unique values and histories strengthens our communities and supports collective action for the common good.
January
January
Mini-Inquiry Units:
Mini-Inquiry Units:
Photo Credit: Biography.com. Martin Luther King Jr. and Muhammad Ali’s Surprising Secret Friendship, By Erin Blakemore. Retrieved January 2026
Mini-Inquiry Units for SY26
Mini-Inquiry Units for SY26
Mini-Inquiry Archives
Mini-Inquiry Archives
SY25 Essential Question:
SY25 Essential Question:
What does it mean to be a civic actor in my community and others?
What does it mean to be a civic actor in my community and others?
SY24 Essential Question:
SY24 Essential Question:
Why do we study and examine our past, present, and future?
Why do we study and examine our past, present, and future?
SY23 Essential Question:
SY23 Essential Question:
What does it mean to grow together and thrive as a community?
What does it mean to grow together and thrive as a community?
The Power of Culturally Responsive Inquiry-Based Social Science in Challenging Times
The Power of Culturally Responsive Inquiry-Based Social Science in Challenging Times
Inquiry-based learning can be especially helpful when navigating current events because it centers connecting content to our lived experiences, developing questions to inquire into our world, investigating varied sources, and taking informed action.
The following grade-banded mini-inquiries can be used to engage students in learning that connects to our current sociopolitical context. Through a variety of storytelling, students build empathy from shared experiences while deepening their understanding of identity, community, and relationships within and beyond the classroom.
Click Titles Below to View Your Grade-Band's Mini-Inquiry
Welcoming Newcomers
Welcoming Newcomers
Mini-Inquiries
Mini-Inquiries
Each mini-inquiry below engages students in a standards-aligned process to investigate the Essential Question: Why do we study the past, present, and future of human rights?
New Administration
New Administration
Mini-Inquiries
Mini-Inquiries
The mini-inquiries within this resource are a powerful way to engage students in learning that centers on story sharing, building empathy, and strengthening identity and community.
K-2: In what ways do stories help us learn about and connect with our community?
Elections and Voting Mini Inquiry Units
Elections and Voting Mini Inquiry Units
This 'Take Action Menu" from the School Board Elections mini inquiry units asks students to choose one activity from the menu to raise awareness about the upcoming school board election and why it is important to their community.
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 Presidential 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.
Click Titles Below to View Your Grade-Band's Mini-Inquiry
Chicago School Board Elections
Chicago School Board Elections
Mini Inquiries
Mini Inquiries
United States General Elections
United States General Elections
Mini Inquiries
Mini Inquiries
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