Teacher Tested. Student Approved.

Background Briefs for Educators
Investigating History Background Briefs are designed to support educators in developing their own content knowledge prior to teaching each unit. By spring 2025, all Investigating History units from grades 3–7 will have an accompanying Background Brief. Sneak peek: See the Background Brief for Grade 6, Unit 1 (Human Origins).

Each Background Brief contains five parts:

• Connecting to the Unit: Identify what you need to know and be able to do to teach the unit.
• Overview Video: Learn about foundational narratives of the content from a scholar expert.
• Building Background Knowledge: Access helpful resources that address key ideas.
• Unit in Context: Learn about misconceptions, enduring themes, and the evolving research of social scientists.
• A Note on Language: Identify key considerations for using language related the content.

Professional Development Opportunities
A number of professional development providers have been certified to provide Investigating History professional development. Certified providers have received training in the Investigating History curriculum and instructional approach and offer a variety of professional development opportunities including cross-district institutes, online courses, and individualized coaching.

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 3:
  • Native People and Places in the Northeast
  • Indigenous Communities, Colonizers, and the Plymouth Colony
  • The Puritans, the Massachusetts Bay Colony, Native People, and Africans
  • Governing the People of Massachusetts: The American Revolution and its Impacts
  • The People and Governments of Massachusetts, Past and Present
• Grade 4:
  • North American Geography
  • Ancient American Civilizations
  • Interactions with European Explorers
  • Impacts of U.S. Expansion
  • Regions of the United States
• 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
  • East Asia
  • The Silk Routes
  • Southeast Asia and Oceania
  • Europe

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. DESE has awarded over $1.5 million in grants to districts to support the costs of implementing Investigating History through the 2024-25 school year.