What is Inquiry History?
Inquiry History (inquiryhistory.com) is a comprehensive, free, and open-source US History curriculum built on the C3 Framework for inquiry-based learning. It provides 19 units and 81 lessons covering US History from pre-Columbus through the present day, designed specifically to be accessible for diverse learners, including English Learners and students with varying reading levels.
Is Inquiry History really free?
Yes, 100% free forever. All Inquiry History materials are permanently free. Because the original source materials are open source, Inquiry History content cannot be monetized or sold under the Creative Commons licensing agreement. Materials may be freely remixed and adapted, but they cannot be sold.
Who created Inquiry History?
Jonathan Loomis, a History Teacher at McKinley High School in Urban Honolulu, Hawaii. He has been teaching since 2001 and is a National Board Certified Teacher. He developed Inquiry History over 10+ years starting in December 2015, testing and refining it with his diverse student population.
Can I use Inquiry History outside of Hawaii?
Absolutely! While the curriculum aligns with Hawaii Board of Education standards adopted in 2018, it’s built on the C3 Framework and covers comprehensive US History content that can be used by any teacher anywhere. Teachers are free to adapt and modify materials for their specific context.
What does “inquiry-based” mean?
Inquiry-based learning means students learn through questions rather than passive memorization. Every unit is structured around a compelling question (e.g., “Did anyone win the Cold War?”), and individual lessons address supporting questions that build toward answering the unit’s central inquiry. This approach moves students beyond passive memorization to active critical thinking.
What are the two main pathways?
Pathway 1: AP US History (Full Course)
- All 19 units covering US History from pre-Columbus through present (81 lessons)
- Target audience: Advanced students, AP students, strong readers
- Reading level: 11th-12th grade
- Materials: Text (PDF and online), audiobook, scrolling text videos, vocabulary tools, note-taking templates, and basic teacher’s guide
Pathway 2: US History 1877 to Present
- Unit 0 (review) + Units 9-19 covering 1877-present (54 lessons: 4 review + 50 main)
- Target audience: Students needing differentiated support, English Learners, students with varying reading abilities
- Reading level: Two options—original 11th-12th grade text OR simplified 8th/9th grade level text
- Materials: Text (online only), lecture videos, vocabulary tools, lesson summaries, note-taking templates, and comprehensive teacher’s guide
- Key feature: Simplified reading level texts and teacher-led lecture videos make it ideal for differentiated instruction
Can I use just some units or lessons, or do I have to use the whole curriculum?
You can absolutely use individual units or lessons! Teachers have complete flexibility to use the entire curriculum or select specific units and lessons that fit their needs. The materials are adaptable to different contexts.
How long does it take to complete each pathway?
The curriculum is designed to fit a standard school year. A suggested pacing guide for Pathway 2 (1877 to Present) breaks the 54 lessons across four quarters, typically covering 13-15 lessons per quarter.
What reading levels are available?
- Higher Reading Level (11th-12th grade): Available for all 19 units (full AP US History course)
- Lower Reading Level (approximately 8th grade): Available only for Unit 0 (review) and Units 9-19 (1877 to Present pathway)
Both reading levels cover the same historical content and use identical section structures, but with simplified language and vocabulary in the lower level version.
Can students switch between reading levels?
Yes! On every reading page on the website, students have the option to switch to the other reading level, regardless of which pathway they initially chose. This allows students and teachers to make real-time decisions about which reading level best suits their needs for any given lesson.
What languages are available?
The online website includes a built-in translation plugin for automatic translation into multiple languages. Some PDF materials are available in side-by-side translations (Ilocano, Japanese, Tagalog, Chinese, and others), though these may contain errors as they were created using Google Translate.
Are the materials accessible for students with disabilities?
The website is WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliant for accessibility. Materials are available in multiple formats (text, audio, video), and the website includes a dark mode toggle for enhanced accessibility and reading comfort. Human-narrated audiobooks are available for all higher-level readings.
My students are English Learners. Which pathway is better?
Pathway 2 (US History 1877 to Present) was specifically designed with English Learners in mind. It offers simplified reading level texts, teacher-led lecture videos with conversational instruction, auto-translation features, and comprehensive vocabulary support. The lower reading level version removes language barriers while maintaining the same historical content.
What types of videos are available?
Scrolling Text Videos (Higher Reading Level)
- Format: Side-by-side scrolling text with 50-100 historical images per reading
- Features: Vocabulary terms highlighted, integrated audiobook narration, Mr. Loomis presents intro/conclusion
- Available for: Units 1-4, 6-19 (Unit 5 not yet available)
Lecture Videos (Lower Reading Level)
- Format: Jonathan teaching conversationally on left side of screen, images on right
- Features: Conversational teaching style, essential vocabulary on screen, based on simplified text
- Available for: Unit 0 (review) and Units 9-19 only
Do the videos have closed captions?
Yes! All YouTube videos include manually uploaded transcripts created by the curriculum author—not auto-generated transcripts. This ensures 100% accuracy to what is being said or read on screen, which dramatically improves the accuracy of YouTube’s auto-translation feature for any language.
Are there ads on the YouTube videos?
No. InquiryHistory does not monetize its YouTube videos. There is no advertising revenue generated by the creators.
Can I use the videos for EdPuzzle or other platforms?
Yes! The scrolling text videos work great for creating EdPuzzle assignments. Teachers are free to use the videos in any way that supports their instruction.
What materials are included?
Primary Content Delivery:
- Text (PDF and online)
- Human-narrated audiobooks
- Scrolling text videos
- Lecture videos
Supplemental Resources:
- Vocabulary study tools (Quizlet sets)
- Note-taking materials (Cornell templates)
- Review videos and booklets
- Teacher’s guides
- Comprehension, personal reflection, and inquiry questions
- Primary source quotations database (550+ quotes)
- Unit assessments
Should I use PDF or online text?
Each format has advantages:
PDF Booklets: Easy to carry, work offline, some students prefer paper
Online Text: Access anytime, no distribution needed, integrated audiobook, translations on demand, latest updates, more images
Many teachers use a mix—PDFs for certain activities and online for others.
Where can I find all the resources?
All resources are linked in the main Inquiry History Description document, organized by category. Everything is freely downloadable or accessible online.
Are there assessments?
Yes! Two types of assessments are available for Units 9-19:
Paper-Based (Traditional): 20 multiple-choice questions with artifacts (pictures, cartoons, primary sources), higher reading level
Google Forms (Accessible): 20 multiple-choice questions with simplified design, lower reading level, no artifacts
Assessments are available to teachers who email in************@***il.com with proof of being an educator.
How do I get the assessments?
Email in************@***il.com and provide evidence of being an educator (teacher email from Hawaii or elsewhere). Assessments are not publicly available to ensure students don’t have access.
Does Inquiry History include lesson plans?
No. Inquiry History is designed as base content for students, not as lesson plans for teachers. The Inquiry History model assumes students interact with materials at home (reading texts, watching videos, taking notes), while in-class time is used for interactive activities, discussions, primary source analysis, and writing preparation under teacher guidance.
The Teacher’s Guide includes tips and suggestions for teaching specific lessons, but not comprehensive step-by-step lesson plans. This design respects teacher autonomy and recognizes that every classroom is different.
I’m new to teaching US History. Can I still use Inquiry History?
Absolutely! Teachers new to US History content can use Inquiry History materials (especially lecture videos) as in-class foundational instruction before facilitating hands-on activities. This allows you to focus on student engagement while the videos establish historical foundations.
Can I modify or adapt the materials?
Yes! Under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, you are free to share, remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose. The only restriction is that the materials cannot be sold.
How do I use Inquiry History for differentiated instruction?
Inquiry History was specifically designed for differentiation:
- Multiple reading levels (8th grade and 11th-12th grade) for the same content
- Multiple formats (text, audio, video)
- Students can switch reading levels in real-time
- Different video formats for different learning styles
- Comprehensive vocabulary support at multiple levels
This allows you to have students with varying reading levels in the same classroom working with the same historical content.
What’s included in the Teacher’s Guide?
The Teacher’s Guide includes:
- Tips for teaching difficult or sensitive topics
- Suggestions for using contrasts between historical events or perspectives
- Recommendations for when editorial cartoons would be effective
- Ideas for different instructional approaches
- Pedagogical opportunities within specific lessons
Can I use Inquiry History for remote or hybrid learning?
Yes! Inquiry History works well for in-person, hybrid, and remote learning because all materials are available online. Students can access texts, videos, audiobooks, and study tools from any device with internet access.
How do I access Inquiry History materials?
Visit inquiryhistory.com and choose your pathway:
- AP US History: For the full course
- 1877 to Present US History: For the condensed course starting from the late 1800s
Can I listen to the readings instead of reading them?
Yes! Human-narrated audiobooks are available for all higher-level readings. You can listen to them integrated into the website or watch scrolling text videos that combine audio with images.
What if the reading is too hard?
You can switch to the lower reading level (approximately 8th grade) on any page where both levels exist. The lower reading level covers the same historical content with simpler language. Alternatively, you can watch the lecture videos where Mr. Loomis explains the content conversationally.
Can I read Inquiry History in my home language?
The website has a built-in translation plugin that can automatically translate content into multiple languages. Some PDF materials are also available with side-by-side translations in languages like Ilocano, Japanese, Tagalog, and Chinese.
Are there study tools?
Yes! For every lesson and unit, there are:
- Quizlet vocabulary sets for studying key terms
- Essential vocabulary lists (pared-down key terms)
- Note-taking templates
- Review videos and booklets
What is the Creative Commons license?
Inquiry History uses a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. This means:
- Share: Copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format
- Adapt: Remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose
- Cannot sell: The materials cannot be sold, though you can use them commercially in other ways
- Attribution: You must give appropriate credit
Where does the content come from?
All historical content and images are drawn from open-source repositories including cnx.org, courses.lumenlearning.com, ushistory.org,
sageamericanhistory.net, learnnc.org, and wikimedia.org. All unit/lesson introductions and conclusions are written by Jonathan Loomis.
Can I share Inquiry History with other teachers?
Absolutely! Please share freely. That’s the entire purpose of making it open source.
Do I need special software?
No special software is required. You need:
- A web browser to access the website
- A PDF reader for PDF materials
- Internet access for online materials
- Optional: Google account for Google Docs templates
Does the website work on phones and tablets?
Yes! The website is built with responsive design optimized for mobile, tablet, and desktop.
Is there a dark mode?
Yes! The website includes a dark mode toggle for enhanced accessibility and reading comfort.
I can’t access YouTube at my school. What are my options?
You can use the online text with integrated audiobooks or the PDF booklets. However, the video resources do provide significant value with their extensive images (50-100 per reading in scrolling text videos), so if possible, work with your IT department to access the Inquiry History YouTube channel.
Will there be more materials added?
Yes! Inquiry History continues to evolve based on student needs and teacher feedback. Planned improvements include:
- Completing scrolling text videos for Unit 5
- Completing review videos and PDFs for Units 1-8
- Developing print-ready versions of the lower reading level texts
- Adding Chuukese and Marshallese translations to the website
- Creating interactive assessment tools and practice materials
How can I provide feedback or suggestions?
Email in************@***il.com with your feedback, suggestions, or questions. Jonathan welcomes input from teachers and students using the curriculum.
How do I get in touch?
Email: in************@***il.com
Creator: Jonathan Loomis, McKinley High School, Honolulu, Hawaii