Indiana Social Studies IS.2.5

Social StudiesGrades 9–12Civics and Government

The Standard

Use a variety of resources to take a position or recommend a course of action on a public issue relating to Indiana’s past or present.

2026 Indiana Academic Standards: K-12 Social Studies

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students investigate an Indiana public issue using different kinds of sources, such as a law, map, and news report. They recommend an action and explain which evidence supports it.
What Mastery Looks Like: Students make a specific recommendation and use accurate details from at least two different kinds of sources. They explain how the evidence supports their choice and answer one fair objection.
Common Misconceptions: Students may treat an opinion column as a fact report or assume a map explains why a law exists. They may list facts without linking them to their recommendation.
How to Assess It: Give students an Indiana wetland map and a short summary of a state wetland bill. Ask: 'Should Indiana limit wetland development? Recommend one action and use a detail from each source to support it.'

Lesson moves

Give pairs a printed Indiana wetland map, a bill excerpt, and a local news clipping; attach sticky notes marking evidence for a recommendation.
Ask, 'Should Indiana tighten wetland protections?' Have students write a claim supported by one detail from a map and one from a bill.
Run a source challenge: teams draw a map, bill excerpt, and news clipping, then prepare a 30-second recommendation with two citations.
Have students draft a 100-word email to an Indiana legislator recommending a wetland policy and citing a state document and local news report.

Free download

A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to IS.2.5, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.

PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.

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