QuickStart Guide

Inquiry History is a free, open-source US History curriculum built on inquiry-based learning. All materials are accessible in multiple formats—text, audio, and video—with support for English Learners through translations and simplified reading levels.

Choose Your Pathway

Inquiry History offers two main pathways depending on your course:

🎯 Pathway 1: AP US History (Full Course)

  • Coverage: All 19 units, 81 lessons (pre-Columbus to present)
  • Reading Level: 11th-12th grade
  • Best For: AP students, advanced learners, strong readers
  • Key Resources: PDF booklets, online text, audiobook, scrolling text videos

🎯 Pathway 2: US History 1877 to Present

  • Coverage: Unit 0 (review) + Units 9-19, 54 lessons
  • Reading Level: Two options (8th grade OR 11th-12th grade)
  • Best For: Students needing differentiated support, English Learners
  • Key Resources: Online text, lecture videos, simplified materials

Getting Started in 3 Steps

Step 1: Access Student Materials

Choose how your students will access content:

Option A: Online Text (Recommended)

  • Features: Audiobook, translations, ability to switch reading levels
  • Students can toggle between reading levels on any page

Option B: PDF Booklets

  • Print as small booklets for each unit
  • Good for offline use or students who prefer paper

Option C: Videos

  • Scrolling Text Videos for AP pathway: YouTube playlists for Units 1-19
  • Lecture Videos for 1877 to Present pathway: YouTube playlists for Review + Units 9-19

Step 2: Set Up Vocabulary Study

All vocabulary terms are available as Quizlet sets

  • Individual sets for every lesson
  • Combined sets for each unit
  • Essentials sets with key terms only
  • Students can use Quizlet’s study modes, or export to Blooket/Gimkit

Step 3: Download Teacher Materials

Teacher’s Guides:

Note-Taking Templates:

Essential Resources at a Glance

For Students

  • 🎥 Videos: See playlists in Step 1 above

For Teachers

Understanding the Inquiry Approach

Every unit and lesson is built around questions, not just facts:

Compelling Questions (unit-level)

  • Big, overarching questions that drive entire units
  • Example: “Did anyone win the Cold War?”

Supporting Questions (lesson-level)

  • Focused questions that help answer the compelling question
  • Example: “Was the Cold War unavoidable?”

This approach helps students develop critical thinking skills and learn to ask their own historical questions.

Key Features

✅ 100% Free & Open Source – All materials permanently free under Creative Commons license

✅ Multiple Reading Levels – 8th grade and 11th-12th grade options (Units 9-19)

✅ Multiple Formats – Text, audio, video—choose what works for your students

✅ Built-in Translations – Auto-translation on website; side-by-side PDFs available

✅ Accessible Design – Human-narrated audiobooks, manually transcribed videos

✅ No Advertising – YouTube videos are not monetized

Important to Know

What’s Included

  • Complete base content for students (readings, videos, audio)
  • Vocabulary study tools for every lesson
  • Note-taking templates
  • Teacher’s guides with tips and suggestions
  • Discussion questions and primary source database

What’s NOT Included

  • Structured lesson plans – Inquiry History provides the foundational content, but classroom activities, discussions, and lesson planning are up to you
  • The model: Students engage with Inquiry History materials at home (reading, watching videos, taking notes), then come to class for teacher-guided activities, discussions, and deeper analysis

Need More Information?

Pro Tip: Start small! Pick one unit to try with your students before committing to the full curriculum. Many teachers begin with a single unit to see how students respond to the materials and the inquiry approach.

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