The American Buffalo and Policy on the Plains: Inquiry Design Model

Complete this inquiry and answer the compelling question: How did government policy affect those living on the Plains during the 1800s?

By examining various sources, students will explore the impact of politics on the lives of those on the American Plains. This exploration will include policies, legislation, and decisions made by those in power that changed the lives of humans and wildlife on the plains, from after the American Civil War and beyond. Based on their analyses, students will construct a claim in which they defend their argument.

The Inquiry Design Model (IDM) is a distinctive approach to creating curriculum and instructional materials that honors teachers’ knowledge and expertise, avoids overprescription, and focuses on the main elements of the instructional design process as envisioned in the Inquiry Arc of the College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework for Social Studies State Standards (2013). Unique to the IDM is the blueprint, a one-page representation of the questions, tasks, and sources that define a curricular inquiry.

About the Author

Nicole Dobronski was a teacher in the Kansas City area for 12 years, during which she taught 5th, 7th, and 8th grade Social Studies and ELA, as well as 6th-8th Technology. Currently, Nicole is the K-12 Education Specialist at the National WWI Museum and Memorial. Her hobbies are baking, D&D, gaming, reading, and spending time with her cats and partner.