Explore theme-based inquiry kits to help elementary and secondary students analyze historical sources from the Library of Congress.

Inquiry

The Stripling Model of Inquiry

Participating in inquiry is not linear; students begin with a question they want to answer. The Stripling Model of Inquiry was developed in 2003 as a way to help students develop a deeper understanding of content through an ongoing process of investigation and reflection.

Take a closer look at the interactive below to find out more about the Stripling Model of Inquiry.

 


Inquiry-based learning

Inquiring minds want to know...and those minds are in your classroom. By conducting research, making connections, and reflecting on both the content and process, students move through the stages of inquiry. Inquiry learning equips students with essential skills for lifelong learning like asking questions, investigating problems, and identifying informed solutions. This process promotes critical thinking skills as students learn to analyze information, make connections, and draw conclusions independently.


“Inquiry-based learning in the classroom is often marginalized. It's not used that often, and that's unfortunate because when we engage students in asking questions, answering questions, and using primary sources in the history classroom, they have a more authentic experience. We also know - based on research - that students learn more deeply, and more substantively about the past.”

- Dr. Meghan Manfra


Your students are faced with new information everyday. And they are asking questions, everyday. How can you help your students ask better questions, uncover more information, and evaluate the quality and reliability of their sources? That’s where Inquiry Kits for Social Studies can make a difference. The Inquiry Kits for Social Studies provide examples of the types of high-quality resources that students should look for and give them ideas about where to look. The inquiry kits contain primary sources from the Library of Congress, and primary or secondary sources from The National Archives, World Digital Library, Smithsonian Institution, National Park Service, and PBS.