This inquiry leads students through an investigation of Americans moving west. Students will learn about land use in America, the population change in America, and the Indian Removal Act of 1830. Resource created by Justin Bray, Fremont Public Schools, as part of the Nebraska ESUCC Social Studies Special Projects 2023 Inquiry Design Model (IDM).

This resource was created by Whittney Carnahan, in collaboration with Dawn DeTurk, Hannah Blomstedt, and Julie Albrecht, as part of ESU2's Integrating the Arts project. This project is a four year initiative focused on integrating arts into the core curriculum through teacher education, practice, and coaching.

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 inquiry leads students through an investigation of how life changed for people in Europe after the Black Death. Resource created by Christina Nilson, Columbus Public Schools,as part of the Nebraska ESUCC Social Studies Special Projects 2023 - 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 inquiry leads students through a geographic investigation of the characteristics of a state. During this inquiry, students will utilize an online geographic information system to examine and classify different types of borders. Resource created by Elliot Ruleaux, Yutan Public Schools, as part of the Nebraska ESUCC Social Studies Special Projects 2023 - 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 resource was created by Ross Renfo, in collaboration with Dawn DeTurk, Hannah Blomstedt, and Julie Albrecht, as part of ESU2's Integrating the Arts project. This project is a four year initiative focused on integrating arts into the core curriculum through teacher education, practice, and coaching.

This inquiry leads students through an investigation of the communication between the Cherokee nation and the American government. Resource created by Lucas Spooner, Winnebago Public Schools, as part of the Nebraska ESUCC Social Studies Special Projects 2023 - 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 resource was created by Whittney Carnahan, in collaboration with Dawn DeTurk, Hannah Blomstedt, and Julie Albrecht, as part of ESU2's Integrating the Arts project. This project is a four year initiative focused on integrating arts into the core curriculum through teacher education, practice, and coaching.

This inquiry leads students through an investigation of European colonization of North America and how it impacted the Native Americans. Resource created by Angie Hilbert, Banner County School, as part of the Nebraska ESUCC Social Studies Special Projects 2023 - 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).