The stories of people's lives are captured in historic and contemporary media. Through these lenses, students and teachers can see into the world of social issues and movements, figures, and events. Ultimately, they yield a range of perspectives across time and space. In this article, the author introduces thematic investigations as a systematic framework for studying these stories through the use of multiple tools of inquiry. This framework provides opportunities for teachers and students to grapple with the complexities of inquiry and creates an authentic link between social studies and critical literacy. The following are appended: (1) Getting Started: Accessing and Using Online Primary Documents; and (2) Getting Started: Conceptualizing and Using Tools of Inquiry in Elementary and Secondary Grades. (Contains 1 table.)