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Wednesday, October 21, 2026 @ 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm EDT
Where Literacy Meets Inquiry: Making Elementary Social Studies Manageable
Presented by Dr. S.G. Grant, Professor Emeritus of Social Studies Education at Binghamton University, and Co-Author of C3 Framework; and Dr. Kara Ball, Former Educator, Current Academic Officer, Teacher Created Materials
Moderated by Heather Brooke, Former Educator, Current Vice President of Professional Learning, Teacher Created Materials
Sponsored by Teacher Created Materials
Learn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features.
Elementary educators are continually challenged to make the most of limited instructional time while helping students develop strong literacy skills and meaningful content knowledge. Social studies offers a powerful context for doing both. When inquiry and literacy work together, social studies becomes a purposeful, engaging, and integral part of the instructional day.
Join S.G. Grant, Ph.D., co-author of the NCSS C3 Framework, and Kara Ball, Ph.D., for this edWebinar as they explore practical ways to leverage meaningful questions, content-rich texts, purposeful discussion, and inquiry-based instructional routines that build social studies understanding and strengthen literacy skills.
Attendees will:
- Explore how inquiry provides a clear purpose for learning
- Examine ways literacy can support knowledge building, source analysis, and evidence-based thinking
- Receive practical instructional routines that make inquiry-based social studies easier to implement
- Identify strategies for strengthening both social studies and literacy without sacrificing instructional priorities
This edWebinar will be of interest to K–5 teachers, instructional coaches, social studies specialists, curriculum leaders, and district decision-makers.
About the Presenter
Dr. S.G. Grant is Professor Emeritus of Social Studies Education at Binghamton University. His work focuses on the intersection of curriculum, assessment, and classroom practice, with a particular emphasis on inquiry-based social studies teaching, learning, and assessment. He is the co-author of several influential books, including Inquiry Design Model: Building Inquiries in Social Studies, Inquiry-Based Practice in Social Studies Education, The C3 Inquiry Revolution, and Elementary Social Studies. Dr. Grant served as a senior consultant and writer for the College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework for State Social Studies Standards and as Project Manager for the New York Social Studies Resource Toolkit. He received the National Council for the Social Studies Exemplary Research Award and has published extensively in leading social studies and education journals.
Dr. Kara Ball is a National Board Certified educator, award-winning author, and Academic Officer at Teacher Created Materials. She leads professional development nationwide and is recognized for her work in inquiry-based, inclusive instruction that helps students build knowledge, think critically, and engage deeply in learning. A former K–5 teacher and elementary STEM specialist, Dr. Ball supported 131 schools in Baltimore City Public Schools through curriculum development, educator training, and instructional coaching. She is the author of 50 Strategies for Teaching STEAM Skills and has presented at SXSW, NSTA, ESEA, edWeb, and the White House. Her honors include the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) Teacher of the Year, the Bezos Courage and Civility Award, the Davos Educator Impact Award, and the Towson University College of Education Most Distinguished Alumni Award. Dr. Ball is passionate about creating accessible, student-centered learning experiences that expand opportunity and support every learner’s success.
About the Moderator
Heather Brooke is the VP of Professional Learning at Teacher Created Materials, where she oversees a team that delivers high-quality professional learning workshops for educators nationwide.
Join the K-12 Social Studies and Civics community to network with educators, participate in online discussions, receive invitations to upcoming edWebinars, and view recordings of previous programs to earn CE certificates.
Learn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features.
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