Teacher Tested. Student Approved.

Investigating History is coming soon! We developed the following resources to help you adopt Investigating History in your classroom.

• Investigating History Materials Preview
• List of Certified Investigating History Professional Development Providers

The Investigating History curriculum, currently in development for third through seventh grades, is fully aligned to the Massachusetts 2018 History/Social Science Framework , engaging students with its content, practice, and literacy standards through an inquiry-based approach.

Initially, Investigating History will comprise thirteen units across fifth, sixth and seventh grades. The content covered in each unit is grounded in the grade-level content standards for the 2018 History/Social Science Framework:

• Grade 5:
  • Early Colonization and the Growth of Colonies
  • Revolution and Principles of United States Government
  • The Growth of the Republic
  • Slavery, the Legacy of the Civil War, and the Struggle for Civil Rights for All
• Grade 6:
  • Human Origins
  • The Middle East, North Africa, and West Asia
  • Sub-Saharan Africa
  • Central America, the Caribbean, and South America
• Grade 7:
  • Central and South Asia
  • The Silk Routes
  • East Asia
  • Southeast Asia and Oceania
  • Europe

The scope and sequence for the Grades 3 and 4 courses is still in development, but these courses will cover the entirety of the grade-level content standards at these grade levels.

Currently, the focus of this work through 2024-25 is on developing complete, comprehensive, year-long curricular materials for grades 3 through 7. It's possible the project will expand to additional grade levels, depending on capacity, funding, and interest.

Investigating History is designed around four key principles, elaborated further in the curriculum's design specifications :

1. Historical Inquiry and Investigation: The curriculum centers inquiry-based learning and questioning that leads to investigations with authentic source materials.
2. Historical Empathy and Human Connections: The curriculum deepens students' insight into human connections by activating their sense of wonder and imagination, prompting them to consider others' perspectives, and engaging them in collaboration across lines of difference.
3. Civic Engagement and Current World Relevance: The curriculum draws connections to the contemporary world and foster civic engagement, developing students' civic knowledge, skills, and dispositions.
4. Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy: The curriculum is rooted in the principles of culturally sustaining pedagogy, developing students' academic achievement, cultural competence, and sociopolitical awareness.

DESE does not mandate that schools or districts use any specific curricular materials. Investigating History is intended to provide schools with a vetted, high-quality curriculum and professional development option that is directly aligned to the Massachusetts History and Social Science Framework. Whether to adopt these resources will be a decision made on a local level.

For teachers, schools, and districts who do choose to use the Investigating History materials, DESE is committed to helping them implement the curriculum thoughtfully within their given context, including identifying, training, and certifying professional development providers who are equipped to support districts and schools with the adoption and use of the materials. Depending on availability, grant funding may also be offered to cover some of the costs of implementing Investigating History.