Generating Student-based Inquiry Using Compelling Questions from the World of Sports

The College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework has provided social studies educators with a tool that can be used to guide inquiry-based social studies curricula and lesson plans. In our home state of Arkansas, the C3 Framework was recently utilized as a guide for revising state social studies frameworks. The potential that C3 holds for promoting inquiry is promising, though in order to make sure the framework translates into practice, teachers need to see examples of C3 guided inquiry. This article presents a number of ideas, using sports as an overarching theme, for generating student inquiry guided by the four dimensions of the Inquiry Arc: (1) developing questions and planning inquiries; (2) applying disciplinary concepts and tools; (3) evaluating sources and using evidence; and (4) communicating conclusions and taking informed action. Teachers are welcome to borrow, modify, and critically appraise our approach as needed.