This inquiry focuses on the defining themes of Andrew Jackson’s presidency. Students will discuss Jacksonian Democracy, the War on the National Bank, and policy toward Native Americans. The questions, tasks, and sources in this inquiry ask students to explore primary sources from multiple perspectives to analyze whether Jackson was the hero or villain of the common man. Resource created by Abigail Huggins with Doniphan-Trumbull Public School as part of the Nebraska Social Studies Special Project 2022 - Inquiry Design Model (IDM).

This inquiry is designed to be an overview of the governments described in the Articles of Confederation and the US Constitution for an 8th-grade social studies class.  Both History and Geography are part of this inquiry.  Students will examine the size and diversity of the 13 original American states.  They will review the text of both documents.  Students will evaluate the structures of government created and will prioritize those structures in relation to the historical period. Resource created by Jeff Hart, Boyd County Public Schools, as part of the Nebraska ESUCC Social Studies Special Projects 2022 - Inquiry Design Model (IDM).

This resource was created by Janis Nicholas, in collaboration with Lynn Bowder, as part of ESU2's Mastering the Arts project. This project is a four year initiative focused on integrating arts into the core curriculum through teacher education and experiential learning. 

The British soldiers have long been blamed for firing upon innocent colonists the night of the Boston Massacre.  Students will examine primary and secondary sources to determine if the soldiers indeed attacked innocent colonists or were acting in self-defense against an angry mob. This inquiry asks, “Did the British soldiers open fire on innocent colonists at the Boston Massacre?”  Resource created by Michelle Wittstruck, Milford Public Schools, as part of the Nebraska ESUCC Social Studies Special Projects 2022 - Inquiry Design Model (IDM).

This inquiry leads students in a study of the positives, negatives, and continued impacts of the Columbian Exchange. The lesson will expose students to primary sources that they will use to gain knowledge of the Columbian Exchange. Resource created by Amy Hall, Laurel Concord Coloridge Public Schools, as part of the Nebraska ESUCC Social Studies Special Projects 2022 - Inquiry Design Model (IDM).

This resource was created by Kim Francis in collaboration with Lynn Bowder as part of ESU2's Mastering the Arts project. This project is a four year initiative focused on integrating arts into the core curriculum through teacher education and experiential learning. 

In this examination of the United States law structure, the inquiry requires the learner to focus on the details of the Bill of Rights and Jim Crow Laws and their relationship with the Emmett Till (1955) and George Stinney (1944) Supreme Court cases.  This inquiry encourages the learner to understand the law in a simplified way that challenges their progress through the reading materials to cause them to develop a clear understanding of each amendment and the influence of Jim Crow. Resource created by Nicole Benson, Omaha Public Schools, as part of the Nebraska ESUCC Social Studies Special Projects 2022 - Inquiry Design Model (IDM).

This inquiry will provide students with an opportunity to investigate the impact of the Industrial Revolution on humanity. They will construct an argument in response to the compelling question “Was the Industrial Revolution helpful or harmful to humanity?” This question will guide students in deciding whether innovations have made life better or worse for humans. This inquiry will emphasize history and civics.  Resource created by Jordan Nelson, North Bend Central Public Schools, as part of the Nebraska ESUCC Social Studies Special Projects 2022 - Inquiry Design Model (IDM).

This inquiry leads students through the causes and influences on the Civil War, compelling them to determine if the Civil War could have been avoided.  By using primary sources including political cartoons, speeches, legislation, and the Constitution, students are given the opportunity to travel through time and change history.Resource created by Audrey Freeman, Cedar County Catholic Schools, as part of the Nebraska ESUCC Social Studies Special Projects 2022 - Inquiry Design Model (IDM).

This inquiry provides students with an opportunity to investigate the journeys of Christopher Columbus. They will construct an argument in response to the compelling question “How should Christopher Columbus be remembered?” The activities focus on motivations, costs/consequences of the journeys and different perspectives. Resource created by Melissa Brabec, Leigh Public Schools, as part of the Nebraska ESUCC Social Studies Special Projects 2022 - Inquiry Design Model (IDM).

Humans have been discovering and rediscovering places and people for more than a millennia. Through the context of the possible future colonization of Mars and the compelling question, students will explore the European colonization of Africa and how it benefited Europeans and hurt Africans. Resource created by Sharon Jeffries, Fall City Public Schools, as part of the Nebraska ESUCC Social Studies Special Projects 2022 - Inquiry Design Model (IDM).

This inquiry looks at the debate between the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists, and how federalism is still impacting the United States today. Resource created by Andrew Heller, Wynot Public Schools, as part of the Nebraska ESUCC Social Studies Special Projects 2022 - Inquiry Design Model (IDM).

This inquiry is designed to provide a basic understanding of feudalism in medieval Europe. This lesson is created for a 7th grade World History class. During this inquiry, students will examine maps, artwork, documents, videos, and text to build knowledge on feudalism and then demonstrate their understanding by applying it to our modern world.Resource created by Lisa Bales, David City Public Schools, as part of the Nebraska ESUCC Social Studies Special Projects 2022 - Inquiry Design Model (IDM). 

This inquiry for 5th grade asks students to analyze the first amendment, why it was written, and how it affects them today. Students are asked to write an argument covering the need of the first amendment.Resource created by Tara Maltsberger, Heartland Community Schools, as part of the Nebraska ESUCC Social Studies Special Projects 2022 - Inquiry Design Model (IDM).

In this inquiry project, students will determine whether they believe Hammurabi’s Code of Laws is fair or not. They will research who Hammurabi was and his role in Babylonia, discover the differences in social classes in the region at the time, and analyze the laws as they apply to different social groups. Resource created by Elizabeth Dunn, Nebraska City Public Schools, as part of the Nebraska ESUCC Social Studies Special Projects 2022 - Inquiry Design Model (IDM).

This inquiry is designed for students to explore history through some of the historical markers in Nebraska and recognize places that have yet to be recognized as historically significant. Resource created by Mandy Morava, Crawford Public Schools, as part of the Nebraska ESUCC Social Studies Special Projects 2022 - Inquiry Design Model (IDM).

This 4th grade inquiry unit will allow students to explore how settlement affected the indigenous people groups that lived here before. The compelling question, “Did the presence of the settlers change the lives of native and indigenous people groups in Nebraska?” engages students in an examination of the American Indians of the Plains and how the forced removal and relocation of their people changed their way of life. The disciplinary structure of this inquiry is designed with collaborative learning in mind.Resource created by Olivia Holleran, Papillion LaVista Schools, as part of the Nebraska ESUCC Social Studies Special Projects 2022 - Inquiry Design Model (IDM).

In this inquiry students will learn about how the people in Mongolia have adjusted to 21st century life through the use of primary document images from the Library of Congress Archives and from secondary source articles. The inquiry question asks, "What is the most influential factor leading to change in Mongolia today?" Resource created by Emily Gasper, Lincoln Public Schools, as part of the Nebraska ESUCC Social Studies Special Projects 2022 - Inquiry Design Model (IDM).

Students will examine the relationships between the Jamestown Settlers and Powhatan indigenous people. They will explore the different perspectives of these two groups of people and why their views clashed with one another. But were the Powhatans' actions justified?Through this inquiry, students will explore multiple resources, complete tasks, and answer questions that will show if the Powhatan Indians were justified in their response to the Jamestown settlers.Resource created by Lucas Spooner, Winnebago Public Schools, as part of the Nebraska ESUCC Social Studies Special Projects 2022 - Inquiry Design Model (IDM).

This inquiry focuses on the intent of the Kansas-Nebraska Act and its importance in the construction of the transcontinental railroad. Students will explore multiple resources, complete tasks, and answer questions that will show the intent of the Kansas-Nebraska Act and its impacts on the United States.  Resource created by Jenna Schawang, Falls City Sacred Heart, as part of the ESUCC Nebraska Social Studies Project 2022 - Inquiry Design Model (IDM).