Inquiry-Based Lessons in World History

Spanning the time period from 15,000 BCE to 1500 CE, Inquiry-Based Lessons in World History (Vol. 1) focuses on creating global connections between people and places using primary sources in standards-based lessons. With sections on early humans, the ancient world, classical antiquity, and the world in transition, this book provides teachers with inquiry-based, ready-to-use lessons that can be adapted to any classroom and that encourage students to take part in the learning process by reading and thinking like historians. Each section contains chapters that correspond to the scope and sequence of most world history textbooks. Each inquiry lesson begins with an essential question and connections to content and literacy standards, followed by primary source excerpts or links to those sources. Lessons include step-by-step directions, incorporate a variety of literacy strategies, and require students to make a hypothesis using evidence from the texts they have read.

Grades 7-10

Jana Kirchner, Ph.D., is an educator with 30 years of experience. She has served as a school district instructional supervisor, an assistant professor at Western Kentucky University, a social studies consultant, and a high school social studies and English teacher. She earned her Ph.D. in educational leadership from the University of Louisville. Kirchner coauthored Inquiry-Based Lessons in World History, vols. 1 & 2 and Inquiry-Based Lessons in U.S. History: Decoding the Past with Andrew McMichael and Parenting Gifted Children 101 with Tracy Inman. She provides professional development on social studies strategies and inquiry topics with JK Consulting (janakirchner.com).

Andrew McMichael, Ph.D., is the dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences and a professor of history at Auburn University at Montgomery.