What is a Vote Worth? A Focused Inquiry to Scaffold Elementary Historical Thinking

Abstract

Meaningful source work is at the heart of social studies learning, but often a tall order for elementary-aged students. In this article, the authors describe the construction and implementation of a fifth grade inquiry on the Suffrage Movement using a focused version of the Inquiry Design Model (IDM) Blueprint. Using source analysis scaffolds coupled with discussion and organizational tasks, students used primary and secondary sources to create complex evidence-based claims showing the intersection between First Amendment rights, civic engagement, and the Suffrage Movement. This focused inquiry supported meaningful application of learning to an informed civic action project.

Keywords:

• Inquiry
• elementary social studies
• voting rights
• source work
• taking informed action

Notes

Notes

1 This inquiry and additional resources for inquiry-based learning are hosted at What is a Vote Worth? Resources for Teaching and Learning Engaged Civics. Retrieved from http://whatisavoteworth.org/

2 Our understanding of world building source work draws upon work by Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) Instructional Lead, Ryan New.

3 Library of Congress, Primary Source Analysis Tool. Retrieved from http://www.loc.gov/teachers/primary-source-analysis-tool/

4 These task labels come from JCPS instructional lead, Ryan New, and the What is a Vote Worth? Tasks webpage. Retrieved from http://whatisavoteworth.org/tasks/