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.
November 2025
November 2025
This November We Honor
This November We Honor
Native American Heritage Month
Native American Heritage Month
November holds deep significance, inviting us to honor the heritage, history, and achievements of Native Americans and Veterans through reflection, care, and connection. This month reminds us of the strength and resilience of communities whose contributions have profoundly shaped our nation, urging us to recognize their enduring presence and vital importance in our shared story.
We are excited to open our mini-inquiries this month with the launch of the Talking Circle, a practice rooted in the sacred traditions of Indigenous Peoples of North America. Used for millennia to connect, solve problems, and ensure every voice is heard, this practice immediately reinforces the value of Native American Heritage Month—a time to affirm the sovereignty, cultural vitality, and ongoing leadership of Native Nations, especially here in Chicago. By integrating this practice, and by honoring our Veterans’ commitment to service, we deepen our collective commitment to equity, belonging, and mutual respect within our schools and communities.
The following grade-banded mini-inquiries allow students to explore service, sacrifice, heritage, and the resilience of communities whose voices strengthen our democracy. Together, these learning opportunities invite us to build stronger relationships and a more inclusive vision of who we are—within our classrooms and beyond.
November Mini-Inquiries:
November Mini-Inquiries:
Image credit: SAMO Dancer NPS Photo by Connar L'Ecuyer
SY26 Mini-Inquiry Units
SY26 Mini-Inquiry Units
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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