A. Philip Randolph Elementary Recognized as DBQ School​

A. Philip Randolph Elementary School recently received the distinction of Document Based Questions (DBQ) Project Distinguished School. The DBQ Project is a tool featuring a six-step method that builds on students’ curiosity and increases motivation and confidence to answer a compelling, authentic question.

In early fall 2024, district Social Studies and English Language Arts (ELA) teachers were trained on how to implement this method as a classroom learning strategy in grades 3-5.

“DBQ promotes inquiry, an IB [International Baccalaureate] characteristic,” explained A. Philip Randolph Principal Marissa Wilson. “They exercise a lot of critical thinking skills. It’s a deep process but fun for the kids and kind of out of the box.”

Chelsea Little, a fifth-grade ELA teacher, was recognized as the district DBQ Champion after incorporating more DBQs into her classroom than any other elementary, middle or high school teacher across Fulton County Schools.

In a lesson, students are presented with background information that contains important vocabulary words and must answer a question after reviewing several related documents.

“I was able to integrate the social studies in my classroom more easily,” explained Little. “I was able to support that and help with the reading standards.”

Students are encouraged to work together and talk through their ideas and answers.

“It makes it more engaging and more rigorous for our students,” Little said.

For example, one lesson asked students why Japan attacked the United States at Pearl Harbor, prompting U.S. involvement in World War II. Supporting documents included an article from a Japanese newspaper about national empowerment and selections from a Japanese high school textbook. Then students can answer the question and support their answer with evidence.

“It made them think of [the Japanese] perspective so they could relate to the time period and make it relevant to them,” said Little. “My students were able to see artifacts from a different country and a different time frame. It gives our kids a global perspective to thinking.”

The school held a DBQ celebration in March for their achievement.

“We’re going to continue with DBQs,” said Little. “We’re seeing a lot of growth in writing for our students. This is a great program."