We have learned from our middle school social studies teacher partners that a willingness to modify resources is a key component for using Read.Inquire.Write. materials successfully and supporting students’ argument writing.

One thing that is common across successful adaptations: Offering students regular opportunities to practice all aspects of the inquiry and argument writing process across a year. This process is flexible. For example, teachers may want to spend more time orienting students to content prior to reading and analyzing sources, include additional sources for a particular investigation if they feel like certain voices from the past are missing, or spend longer weighing and corroborating evidence prior to constructing a written argument. In recognition of the unique contexts in which Read.Inquire.Write. may be used, all of our materials are available in formats that make editing easy.

As you work with these materials or augment your own, keep in mind the research-based Design Principles we use to support students’ inquiry and argument writing. These same principles are the foundation of the disciplinary literacy tools that structure a process for social studies inquiry and argument writing.