This resource was created by Tessa Avery and Chris Swalley, in collaboration with Dawn DeTurk, Hannah Blomstedt, and Julie Albrecht, as part of ESU2's Integrating the Arts project. This project is a four year initiative focused on integrating arts into the core curriculum through teacher education, practice, and coaching.

This inquiry leads students through an investigation of natural disasters and why people live in areas that are consistently affected by natural disasters. Resource created by Matt Myers, Nebraska City Public Schools, as part of the Nebraska ESUCC Social Studies Special Projects 2023 - Inquiry Design Model (IDM).

Will Nebraska's environment sustain today's farmers and ranchers? This inquiry leads students through an investigation of the physical geography of Nebraska and its impact on farming and ranching in the state. Resource created by Jessica Christensen, Creek Valley Public Schools, as part of the Nebraska ESUCC Social Studies Special Projects 2024 - Inquiry Design Model (IDM).

This inquiry leads students through an investigation of how the symbols used in flag design represent history and culture, specifically for Nebraskans. Students will be introduced to the field of Vexilollogy, which is the study of flags. Resource created Kyle Vincent, Cozad Community Schools, as part of the Nebraska ESUCC Social Studies Special Projects 2023 - Inquiry Design Model (IDM).

This inquiry leads students through an investigation of the problem solving that goes into the formation of a government, and more specifically, the legislative branch. Students will examine what went into the formation of our federal government’s bicameral legislature, why Nebraska broke the mold and is our nation’s only unicameral legislature and examine if this system is still serving Nebraska appropriately. Resource created by Thomas Yoachim, Centura Public Schools, as part of the Nebraska ESUCC Social Studies Special Projects 2023 - Inquiry Design Model (IDM).

What is the most important factor in the development of Nebraska as a beef state? This inquiry leads students through an investigation of how Nebraska's economy is influenced by land and history, focusing on the beef industry. Resource created by Sara Adams, Omaha Public Schools, as part of the Nebraska ESUCC Social Studies Special Projects 2024 - Inquiry Design Model (IDM).

This 7th grade inquiry leads students through an investigation of the forms and functions of government across the world and what happens when governments do not meet the needs of its citizens.  It focuses on answering the question: “Is government even necessary?” Resource created by Kristian Schank, Gering Public Schools, as part of the Nebraska ESUCC Social Studies Special Projects 2023 - Inquiry Design Model (IDM).

In this 8th grade inquiry students will analyze the "The New Colossus" poem by Emma Lazarus. Students will investigate primary sources detailing how poor immigrants were processed through Ellis Island and how a poor immigrant to the United States would typically live. Finally, students will compare and contrast the language used in "The New Colossus" and the expectations it could create with the reality of life in the United States for a poor immigrant.  Resource created by Nathan Ott, Omaha Public Schools, as part of the Nebraska ESUCC Social Studies Special Projects 2022 - Inquiry Design Model (IDM).

This inquiry focuses on the westward expansion and the Oregon Trail. Students will learn about the location and landmarks of the trail, hardships that the travelers endured on these trails, and what was needed for a successful journey. The questions, tasks, and sources asks students to explore sources that showcase what life was like for the pioneers on the Oregon Trail. Resource created by Jane Nincehelser, Oakland-Craig Public Schools, as part of the Nebraska ESUCC Social Studies Special Projects 2022 - Inquiry Design Model (IDM).

Was it worth the effort to build the Panama Canal? In this inquiry, students will learn about the construction period, Teddy Roosevelt role, and weigh the pros and cons to form their own thoughts on whether it was needed.Resource created by Katelyn Bonifas, West Holt Public Schools, as part of the Nebraska ESUCC Social Studies Special Projects 2024 - Inquiry Design Model (IDM).

This inquiry leads students through an investigation of Loyalists during the forming of our nation. Resource created by Jinger Larsen, Sargent Public Schools, as part of the Nebraska ESUCC Social Studies Special Projects 2023 - Inquiry Design Model (IDM).

This inquiry leads students through an investigation of different forms of political participation and their effectiveness through the context of the Civil War.  Resource created by Brandon Callahan, Elgin Public Schools, as part of the Nebraska ESUCC Social Studies Special Projects 2023 - Inquiry Design Model (IDM).

This inquiry leads students through an investigation of the origin of the United States government. In this inquiry the students will analyze why the colonists fought for independence against Britain and formed the government we have today. Resource created by Christina Adkins, Nebraska City Public Schools, as part of the Nebraska ESUCC Social Studies Special Projects 2023 - Inquiry Design Model (IDM).

What was the most important factor in the Nazi rise to Power in Germany? Economic instability caused by the Great Depression and the destruction from World War I led to a period of unparalleled chaos across Europe. Utilizing the Inquiry Design Model, students will explore how these conditions sowed the seeds of fascism and led to the rise of fascist dictator Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party in pre-World War II Germany. Resource created by Jeffery Maddox II, Creek Valley Public Schools, as part of the Nebraska ESUCC Social Studies Special Projects 2024 - Inquiry Design Model (IDM).

This resource was created by Denise Stevenson, in collaboration with Lynn Bowder, as part of ESU2's Mastering the Arts project. This project is a four year initiative focused on integrating arts into the core curriculum through teacher education and experiential learning.

This inquiry leads students through an investigation of property taxes in Nebraska. It focuses on the history, administration, and use of revenue from the taxes. Relief efforts both past and current will be analyzed with students formulating their own solutions. Resource created by Dan Gossman, Johnson-Brock Public Schools, as part of the Nebraska ESUCC Social Studies Special Projects 2023 - Inquiry Design Model (IDM).

This inquiry leads students through an investigation of the life and the leadership of Qin Shi Huang. He was originally a warlord in Ancient China that worked through conquest to unify China and become their first emperor. Resource created by Jonathan Meyer, Gothenburg Public Schools, as part of the Nebraska ESUCC Social Studies Special Projects 2023 - Inquiry Design Model (IDM).

Did the advent of the railroad positively shape Nebraska? This lesson plan helps students understand the mixed impact of the railroad in Nebraska, encouraging critical thinking about both the positive developments and the challenges that arose.  Resource created by Ann Marie Weber, Omaha Public Schools, as part of the Nebraska ESUCC Social Studies Special Projects 2024 - Inquiry Design Model (IDM).

This Remote Learning Plan was created by Lonnie Lierman in collaboration with Lori Broady and Andrew Easton as part of the 2020 ESU-NDE Remote Learning Plan Project. Educators worked with coaches to create Remote Learning Plans as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.The attached Remote Learning Plan is designed for 9-12 world history/social studies students. Students will create a Google Slide presentation on the Storming of the Bastille and reveal the role that the sans-culottes played in the early years of the French Revolution. This Remote Learning Plan addresses the following NDE Standard: NE Social Studies Standards HS 4.1 (WLD), HS 4.3 (WLD), HS 4.4 (WLD) It is expected that this Remote Learning Plan will take students 90 minutes to complete. Here is the direct link to the Google Doc:  https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1S2UHD9fXwRPPwN9Xn4TimVz5t5-JKW26_ozkaY-l8tM/copy?usp=sharing

This Remote Learning Plan was created by Eliza Crim in collaboration with Lori Broady as part of the 2020 ESU-NDE Remote Learning Plan Project. Educators worked with coaches to create Remote Learning Plans as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.The attached Remote Learning Plan is designed for high school American History students. Students will develop a claim addressing the question "What event from the Civil Rights Movement had the biggest impact on the future of the movement?" This Remote Learning Plan addresses the following NDE Standard: HS.4.1 (US).It is expected that this Remote Learning Plan will take students 120 minutes to complete.Here is the direct link to the Google Doc: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1v356vxUVjG52nw_10oLeJZ0A-p_itM6kFis8GBlLS7Q/edit?usp=sharing