The Inquiry Arc

The Inquiry Arc in the K-12 Social Studies Framework guides learners through a structured process of investigation, reflection, and action. There are four key steps to teaching through the inquiry arc:
(1) Developing questions and planning inquiries; (2) Applying disciplinary concepts and tools; (3) Evaluating sources and using evidence; and (4) Communicating conclusions and taking informed action.
Below is a suggested approach for applying the Inquiry Arc with students to a general study
of the Holocaust, ensuring deep and thoughtful engagement with the topic:

Step 1: Connect (Engaging Personally)

• Reflect on personal experiences with identity, belonging, or injustice to build empathy and relevance
• Explore ethical questions like: “What is our responsibility when we witness hate or exclusion?”
• Introduce survivor testimonies to humanize the history and spark emotional connection

Step 2: Wonder (Framing the Inquiry)

• What were the causes and consequences of the Holocaust?
• How did ordinary people contribute to or resist genocide?
• What lessons can be learned to prevent future atrocities?
• How did different groups experience the Holocaust?
• What role did propaganda, laws, and societal attitudes play in enabling genocide?

Step 3: Investigate (Gathering and Analyzing Information)

• Examine primary sources (Nuremberg Laws, survivor testimonies, Nazi propaganda, photographs, maps, etc.)
• Study historical contexts (antisemitism in Europe, Nazi ideology, World War II, etc.)
• Analyze scholarly interpretations (books, documentaries, academic papers, etc.)
• Explore case studies of resistance (Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, Swing Kids, partisans, etc.)
• Study rescuers (Tina Strobos, Gino Bartali, Albanians, etc.)
• Examine Holocaust memorials

Step 4: Construct (Synthesizing Information and Drawing Conclusions)

• Write essays or reports analyzing specific aspects of the Holocaust
• Develop timelines or infographics illustrating key events
• Compare and contrast survivor testimonies to highlight different experiences
• Read memoirs, historical fiction or poetry to deepen empathetic understanding (Night, Number the Stars, I Never Saw Another Butterfly, etc.)

Step 5: Express (Sharing and Reflecting)

• Participate in classroom debates or discussions on ethical dilemmas
• Engage with Holocaust survivors or second and third generation
• Reflect on how the Holocaust is remembered and memorialized in different cultures (Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, etc.)
• Discuss the importance of confronting Holocaust denial and distortion

Step 6: Reflect (Applying Learning to the Present and Future)

• Educate others through presentations or projects
• Design a memorial for Holocaust remembrance, explaining its symbolism and importance
• Advocate against modern antisemitism and genocide
• Support Holocaust remembrance initiatives and organizations
• Promote critical thinking about propaganda and hate speech today

By following the Inquiry Arc, students and teachers will have the opportunity to not only learn about the Holocaust but also develop a sense of moral responsibility and awareness to prevent history from repeating itself.