Students will launch the investigation by examining surprising historical sources, separating evidence from guesses, and beginning a portfolio of questions about everyday life long ago.

Students will develop an investigable question about a surprising historical artifact or story, practice systematic source analysis, consult a librarian or archivist, and create a research plan that distinguishes evidence from guesses. They will revise their questions and plans through expert review and two rounds of peer feedback before adding the approved work to their individual portfolios.

Students will corroborate historical evidence, investigate a surprising artifact or story using multiple sources, and curate portfolio and museum-exhibit drafts that distinguish facts from guesses. They will use peer and community-partner feedback to revise an evidence-based interpretation and propose a focused guiding question for next term.

Students will present evidence-based historical interpretations to an authentic audience, respond to questions, and complete portfolios that identify focused directions for future research.