Teaching with Primary Sources

Inquiry Kits for Social Studies

Inquiry kits are the perfect start for middle and high school student research projects. Each theme-based kit features thinking questions, primary and secondary sources, and tools to analyze historical materials from the Library of Congress. Choose from a broad collection of U.S. and World History topics.

Teacher Resources for Inquiry Kits

Select a collection to find related topics as well as primary and secondary sources to develop a classroom research project.

U.S. History Inquiry Kits

Explore this collection of sixty inquiry kits that let students study historical topics that excite them. Each kit has primary and secondary sources to analyze. Study everything from early American colonies to modern politics. Inquiry kits examine social studies themes and align to Maryland curriculum units.

Go to U.S. History Inquiry Kits

child's color drawing of the American flag with colorful text

World History Inquiry Kits

Explore this collection of sixty inquiry kits that let students study historical topics that excite them. Each kit has primary and secondary sources to analyze. Study everything from early cultures to modern politics. Inquiry kits examine social studies themes and align to Maryland curriculum units.

Go to World History Inquiry Kits

U.S. Government Inquiry Kits

Explore this collection of sixty inquiry kits that allows students to select a research topic of interest and evaluate various themed primary and secondary sources. From each branch of government to the United States' economic, domestic, and foreign policy goals, the inquiry kits examine social studies themes and align to Maryland curriculum units.

Go to U.S. Government Inquiry Kits

black and white photograph of the inauguration

Interactive Tool for Civics Education

Case Maker is an interactive tool with 20 civics challenges for middle school classrooms. Students investigate key civics topics, gather evidence from relevant sources from the Library of Congress, and present their case on Case Maker's platform.

Case Maker

Take a challenge, gather evidence, and make your case! Explore 20 civics-related topics that challenge students to think like a detective. Discover issues such as freedom of speech and becoming a U.S. citizen. Analyze primary source materials for insight and evidence to support your argument. Build your case online with Case Maker's ready-made presentation mode.

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Teacher Resource for Case Maker

Funded by a grant from the Library of Congress, Maryland Humanities and MPT developed the Teaching with Primary Sources Inquiry Kits and Research Learning Modules to support K-12 educators and students.

The MSDE Social Studies Department is committed to providing materials and professional development to teachers to assist them in teaching primary source analysis and in providing authentic, project-based assessments to students.