Charisse Smith: How to Increase Student Inquiry in Elementary Social Studies Classrooms

Making Social Studies Come Alive Through InquiryIn this week’s Podcast episode, I sit down with Charisse Smith Ph.D. —CEO of Sankofa Educational Consulting and former K–6 Social Studies Supervisor in Trenton Public Schools, NJ—to dig into why inquiry-driven social studies is essential for today’s learners.We talk about: ✨ Moving beyond facts + dates to real student thinking ✨ Why elementary students can handle complex history ✨ Powerful examples of informed action (2nd graders contacting City Hall!) ✨ How IDM creates space for civic engagement, critical thinking & SEL ✨ Supporting teachers through the shift from “sage on the stage” to inquiry facilitator/If you want social studies to be relevant, joyful, and transformative, this is the episode.🎧 Listen now and lean into inquiry. Our students—and our democracy—benefit.Charisse Smith LinkedIn PageSankofa Educational Consulting C3 Teachers Blog: Implementing IDMMusic by Aylex