Introduction to Inquiry, Grades 4-5

GRADE 4-5 INQUIRY UNIT

Introduction to Inquiry, Grades 4-5

How do we ask the right questions to learn? This inquiry-based unit allows students to engage in artifact analysis as a form of close reading, and learn about sourcing, contextualization, and corroboration as they look at images. This unit has students question what they can learn from someone's pockets and look at a law created in Virginia in 1617, requiring everyone to grow corn.

“As a second and third grade teacher for the entirety of my career I had long taught students history through inquiry. Seeing students explore history in this way has been SUCH a joy! Lightbulb moments galore! A teacher’s dream!...unlike lessons I had taught in the past, I didn’t have to find the primary sources. I didn’t have to research them. I didn’t have to write the lesson plan from scratch. I didn’t have to do anything but read the lesson plan… and teach the lesson!”

Second Grade Teacher

“I just used the first lesson in the Mapping Unit. It was so great to get students talking about what they noticed and also expand their thinking on how maps have a special purpose to the user.”

Fourth Grade Teacher

"I love that students got to look at REAL court cases! And it was so easy to use!"

Fifth Grade Teacher

"I liked the simplicity of the handouts. Not too much there to be overwhelming--just enough. Simple, clear directions. The photographs of the clues were great for the students to have."

Fourth Grade Teacher

Introduction to Inquiry, Grades 4-5

What Can We Learn From Someone's Pockets?

Why Grow Corn?

“I just used the first lesson in the Mapping Unit. It was so great to get students talking about what they noticed and also expand their thinking on how maps have a special purpose to the user.”

"I love that students got to look at REAL court cases! And it was so easy to use!"

"I liked the simplicity of the handouts. Not too much there to be overwhelming--just enough. Simple, clear directions. The photographs of the clues were great for the students to have."

Other Private i History Detective Units for Grade 4-5

See how it all fits together!