Teachers know that engaging students and deepening their learning in social studies requires more than a single textbook, website, or teaching method in today's classrooms. That’s where multimodal learning comes in—a dynamic approach that uses a variety of instructional materials and methods to engage students and deepen their knowledge and understanding.
But what exactly is multimodal learning, and how can teachers effectively implement it? And how does Inquiry Journeys, inquirED’s elementary social studies curriculum, help create a truly multimodal classroom?
What is multimodal learning?
Multimodal classrooms use a variety of instructional materials and methods to engage students, meet their unique needs, and deepen their learning. Instead of relying solely on materials in textbooks or on computer screens, multimodal classrooms integrate texts, videos, audio, printed materials, digital resources, and more.
They also use a variety of learning strategies and methods, like interactive activities, discussions, explicit instruction, games, and hands-on projects, Multimodal classrooms acknowledge that students learn in different ways: there isn’t just one door, one key, or one path to learning—there are multiple entry points for every student to learn and grow.
The benefits of a multimodal classroom
A multimodal classroom has several advantages:
Engagement: Varied learning methods keep students interested and motivated.
Accessibility: Different materials, media, and methods cater to various learning styles, making content more accessible to all students.
Deeper Knowledge Building: Engaging with diverse materials in multiple ways helps students build deeper connections and retain their learning.
Critical Thinking: Using different modalities encourages students to approach problems from various angles, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Inquiry Journeys is multimodal by design
Inquiry Journeys is multimodal by design. This means that the core parts of learning offer students multiple ways of engaging with social studies content. The curriculum is carefully crafted to create an engaging and layered learning experience through three core elements:
Primary and Secondary Sources: A diverse collection of articles, videos, images, and more, thoughtfully selected and sequenced to deepen understanding.
Learning Processes: Students build knowledge through interactive activities like discussions, gallery walks, and graphic organizers, intentionally sequenced to scaffold learning.
Learning Application: Students demonstrate understanding through varied assessments and informed action projects, ensuring that their learning is applied in meaningful ways.
Together, these elements ensure that Inquiry Journeys delivers a truly multimodal learning experience, empowering teachers to bring a dynamic and engaging experience to their classrooms.
How do Inquiry Journeys curriculum materials support multimodal learning?
A critical part of multimodal learning is how students engage with both digital and print materials in the classroom. Both formats are essential—print materials give students a hands-on experience, allowing them to write, annotate, and interact directly, while digital resources offer access to rich content, images, videos, and interactive tools.
Inquiry Journeys integrates these digital and print resources, giving teachers everything they need to bring inquiry-based social studies to life.
 | Student consumables: High-quality handouts, graphic organizers, and other materials for written work support students in their evidence collection, investigations, and creative projects. |
 | Assessment guide booklets: A collection of guides for each assessment in an Inquiry Unit, these booklets help teachers assess work and understand where students are headed in their investigations. |
 | Digital teacher subscription: Provides access to all teaching materials, including step-by-step lesson plans, licensed content and sources, ready-to-go slide decks, editing and sharing tools, and more. |
 | Digital student experience: Students engage with digital instructional materials, including primary and secondary sources across a variety of media types and formats, in whole-class, individual, or collaborative settings. |
With these resources available to teachers, teachers can create a dynamic and interactive learning environment where students are encouraged to explore and engage deeply with social studies content.
So, Now What?
Our curriculum materials support teachers in creating classrooms where students are active participants in their learning journey and are equipped with the tools they need to succeed. For a closer look, check out the Interactive Demo, which showcases how Inquiry Journeys Curriculum Materials bring inquiry, student work, and printed materials to life.
Ready to experience the Inquiry Journeys Curriculum Materials firsthand? Download a print sample here.
Stay tuned for more updates and resources as we prepare for the 2025-2026 school year. Together, let's inspire the next generation of inquirers and thinkers.
About inquirED
inquirED supports teachers with high-quality instructional materials that make joyful, rigorous, and transferable learning possible for every student. Our social studies curricula – Inquiry Journeys (K-5) and Middle School World History – are used across the country to help students build deep content knowledge and develop inquiry skills essential for a thriving democracy.
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