Inquiry Kits for Social Studies

Teaching with Primary Sources

Inquiry kits are the perfect start for elementary, middle, and high school student research projects. Each theme-based kit features thinking questions, primary and secondary sources, and tools to analyze historical materials from the Library of Congress. Elementary students explore a variety of social studies themes, while middle and high schools choose from a broad collection of U.S. Government, U.S. History, and World History topics.

Teacher Resources for Inquiry Kits

Select a collection to find related topics as well as primary and secondary sources to develop a classroom research project.

Indigenous Maryland Inquiry Kits

This collection of sixteen inquiry kits allows students to explore topics in Indigenous Maryland culture and history. The kits include primary sources from the Maryland State Archives, the Enoch Pratt Free Library, the Library of Congress, and more. Elementary and secondary-level students will learn about Indigenous craftwork, the fur trade, different interactions with settlers, and tribal recognition.

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handwritten text and animal drawing and aged paper

Elementary Inquiry Kits

Explore this collection of ten inquiry kits that lets elementary students study historical topics that interest them. Each kit has primary and secondary sources to analyze. From the Spanish conquest of Mexico to the invention of the braille reading and writing system, the inquiry kits examine social studies themes and align with Maryland curriculum units.

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color photograph of frederick douglas mural

U.S. History Inquiry Kits

Explore this collection of sixty inquiry kits that allows middle and high school students to select a research topic of interest and evaluate a variety of primary and secondary sources. From early American colonies to the role of modern America, the inquiry kits examine social studies themes and align with Maryland curriculum units.

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child's color drawing of the American flag with colorful text

World History Inquiry Kits

Explore this collection of sixty inquiry kits that lets middle and high students study historical topics of interest. Each kit has primary and secondary sources to analyze. From ancient cultures to modern politics, the inquiry kits examine social studies themes and align with Maryland curriculum units.

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U.S. Government Inquiry Kits

Explore this collection of sixty inquiry kits that allows middle and high students to select a research topic of interest and evaluate a variety of primary and secondary sources. From each branch of government to the United States' economic, domestic, and foreign policy goals, the inquiry kits examine social studies themes and align with Maryland curriculum units.

Go to U.S. Government Inquiry Kits

black and white photograph of the inauguration

Funded by a grant from the Library of Congress, Maryland Humanities and MPT developed the Teaching with Primary Sources Inquiry Kits and Research Learning Modules to support K-12 educators and students.

The MSDE Social Studies Department is committed to providing materials and professional development to teachers to assist them in teaching primary source analysis and in providing authentic, project-based assessments to students.