Free implementation guide · K–2 / 3–5 / 6–8
Inquiry Investigations
Math · Science · Social Studies · STEM
Inquiry · Suggested readiness: DEEPEN
Editorial draft · Administrator review pending. General educational guidance; examples are illustrative, not student records. No research outcome or placement is guaranteed.
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What It Is
Learners investigate a focused question through a planned collection and interpretation of evidence. Inquiry includes explicit teaching when learners need methods or concepts.
Why It Works
A question, method and evidence trail make thinking inspectable and give the teacher opportunities to respond before a final product.
When to Use It
Use when learners have enough background to ask a meaningful question and time to revise a method.
Classroom Example
Which location in our classroom provides the most consistent light? Teams define how and when to observe, record comparable results and explain what their measurements cannot establish.
Teacher Implementation Steps
- Build shared background and collect initial questions.
- Narrow to an answerable question and agree on safe methods.
- Model a fair comparison and a recording method.
- Hold a checkpoint to inspect evidence and revise the plan.
- Share a conclusion, limitations and next question.
Student Activity
Plan a small investigation with one question, a fair comparison, a recording table and a conclusion that acknowledges a limitation.
Grade-band adaptations
K–2: teacher-guided questions and picture records. 3–5: simple controlled comparisons. 6–8: justify sampling and examine alternative explanations.
Readiness is a planning suggestion, not a placement decision. Adjust support using current evidence; keep needed accommodations and teacher review.
Related #smithingifted resource
Global Innovation Lab — Academy program →This free guide does not include the program's premium lessons. Existing access requirements still apply.
Sources & further reading
The sources below inform the general guidance. Classroom examples and planning steps are original illustrative suggestions, not findings from a research trial.