Central Rivers Social Studies Learning
Social Studies provides students with the skills and knowledge necessary to help make a positive impact on the future. At Central Rivers AEA we are dedicated to providing educators with the most current, research-based resources. Best practice in Social Studies involves asking in-depth questions and using a variety of sources to create informed answers. The process of Inquiry challenges students to think creatively and cite evidence that is based on fact. Students will learn to communicate their reasoning in clear and concise forms. In a progression of skills and higher-order thinking, students will become ready for college, career and civic life.
Inquiry & Active Learning Research Materials
| Author | Resource(s) |
|---|---|
| Trevor MacKenzie | Website Dive Into Inquiry |
| Dan Rothstein | Right Question Institute Make Just One Change: Teach Students to Ask Their Own Questions |
| Douglas Risher | Engagement By Design |
| Warren Berger | Beautiful Questions in the Classroom |
| Sam Wineburg | Standford History Education Group Why Learn History (When It’s Already On Your Phone) |
| Jay McTighe | Designing Authentic Performance Tasks and Projects |
| Releah Cossett Lent | This Is Disciplinary Literacy; Reading, Writing, Thinking, and Doing… Content Area by Content Area |
| John Hattie | Visible Learning For Social Studies |
| Judith C. Hochman | The Writing Revolution; A guide to advancing thinking through writing in all subjects and grades |
| Jacy Ippolito | Disciplinary Literacy Inquiry & Instruction |
| Dylan Wiliam | Embedded Formative Assessment |
Iowa Department of Education Quick Links
- Iowa Council for the Social Studies Homepage
- Iowa K-12 CORE Social Studies Standards
- Iowa CORE Shifts in Social Studies Instruction
- Iowa Social Studies Resource Page
- Calendar – Social Studies Events and Learning
Central Rivers Resource Quick Links
- AEA Course Registration Login
- Central Rivers LMS Online Learning
- Central Rivers Digital Resources
- Central Rivers AEA Media Services
Curriculum – Resource Quick Links
- Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs – Museum and Educational Resources
- The Iowa Inquiry Hub – Resource from the State Historical Society of Iowa
- Goldie’s History Kits – Free resources designed specifically for Iowa, K-5.
- Iowa Primary Source Sets – Grade Level and Iowa Standard-specific primary source materials.
- Read Iowa History – A free downloadable lesson for K-5 educators on how to integrate Iowa’s Primary Source sets.
- Library of Congress – Primary Source Information
- Everyday Inquiry in The Elementary Classroom – Georgia Standards Youtube Channel
- iCivics – Offering freely accessible resources that enhance classrooms.
- OER Big History Project – Free, online courses in History and World History.
- Smithsonian’s History Explorer – Free grade-level lessons and resources.
- Digital Inquiry Group – Formerly SHEG. Free lessons on historical thinking and reading like a historian.
- Civic Online Reasoning – Free curriculum on Lateral Reading and Sourcing of Information
On-Demand Learning
Social Studies Inquiry Progressions: Overview
This overview will explain the importance and structure of the Iowa Social Studies Inquiry Standards. The progression K-12 will be shown and direct examples will be provided on what they can look like in the classroom. The resources provided will help the learner grow their understanding of inquiry in the classroom.
View full courseSocial Studies Inquiry Progressions: Gathering and Evaluating Sources
This learning will offer some ‘think abouts’ for teachers and students to consider as they use primary, secondary, and onlines sources to form claims. The resources and considerations provided will help all learners identify and use accurate and credible information to guide their inquiries.
View full course