1. Learning Through Structured Inquiry

2. What is Structured Inquiry?
Structured inquiry is a method of learning which contrasts direct instruction and serves to have students as leaders of their own instructional process with the teacher as a guide.
In short: students teach themselves and teachers make sure they do it right.

3. The Structured Inquiry Process
Pre-Research and Developing Questions
Planning the Inquiry
Obtaining Evidence (Research)
Showing Understanding Through Seminar

4. Social Studies Disciplinary Framework
Civics
Economics
Geography
History
Sociology
Civic and Political Institutions
Economic Decision Making
Geographic Representations: Spatial Views of the World
Change, Continuity, and Context
Social Stratification
Processes, Policy, Laws
Exchange and Markets
Human-Environment Interaction: Place, Regions, and Culture
Perspectives
Culture, Language, Religion
Types of Governments
The National Economy
Human Population: Spatial Patterns and Movements
Historical Sources and Evidence
Education System
Political Participation
The Global Economy
Global Interconnections: Changing Spatial Patterns
Causation and Argumentation
Technology

5. Step 1: Pre-Research and Developing Questions
For each teacher provided sub-topic, groups must come up with at least 2 questions related to each social studies discipline. All questions must be approved by teacher before beginning research.
For example:
Topic: Impact of westward expansion on Native Americans.
Sub-Topic: Physical conflicts between Native Americans and settlers.
Economics: How did economic decision making play a role in the violent conflicts between Native Americans and western settlers?
Civics: How did government policy effect the violent conflicts between Native Americans and western settlers?
Geography: Were the violent conflicts between Native Americans and settlers a byproduct of different cultures, especially with relation to differing human-environment interactions between Native Americans and western settlers?
History: What were the perspectives of the Native Americans towards white settlers and vice versa?
Sociology: How did the culture, religion, and language effect the violent conflicts between the Native Americans and the western settlers. How did technology effect the conflicts?

6. What is Pre-Research?
Sometimes in order to develop sophisticated inquiry questions you need to have at least a basic understanding of the topic.
Look-up any words, event, or people you are unfamiliar with and provide a basic summary or definition. Then use Bloom’s taxonomy and the social studies disciplinary framework to develop sophisticated inquiry questions that will guide your research.

8. Step 2: Planning the Inquiry
Groups need to decide:
Who will answer each question?
How will the group communicate with each other away from school and share information?
What will the process be for dealing with a slacker?
How will group members make sure everyone in the group fully comprehends the information?
If there is choice on how presentation format: how will the group present its information?
How will the group check for understanding and make sure their audience is understanding the information?
How will the group apply the information to the modern world? (may not be able to answer until after research)

9. Step 3: Obtaining Evidence (Research)
Each answer to each question must be substantiated thoroughly.
Each question must be supported by at least 2 primary sources (may be more or less at teacher discretion).
For the entire inquiry you must use at least 5 different secondary sources.
All evidence must be properly sourced.

10. Step 4: Showing Understanding Through Seminar
At the beginning of the inquiry you will present to me your list of questions and which group members will be researching each question.
On the day of the seminar I will ask one group member at a time each of your questions. I will not ask you the question you researched or tell you ahead which question I will ask you.
Each student will be allowed to bring in any primary source material, and up to one page (front and back) of handwritten notes.
You will be graded on your answer (see rubric).