Holocaust Literature Study

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Holocaust Literature Study         

• "Arbeit Macht Frei" (Work Brings Freedom) was the
  sign over the gates of Auschwitz. It was placed
  there by Major Rudolf Hoss, commandant of the
  camp.

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• Big Questions
• 1.  What lessons can we learn from the Holocaust?
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• 2.  How can literature help us understand the
  human experience?
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• With your partner brainstorm a list of
• lessons we might learn from the Holocaust
• any Holocaust literature you are familiar with

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What is the Holocaust?

• The Holocaust was the state-sponsored, systematic
  persecution and annihiliation of European Jews by
  Nazi Germany and its collaborators between 1933
  and 1945.  Jews were the primary victims  six
  million were murdered.  Gypsies, the handicapped,
  and Polish people were also targeted for
  destruction or decimation for racial, ethnic, or
  national reasons.  Millions more including 
  homosexuals, Jehovah's Witnesses, Russian
  prisoners of war, and political dissidents also
  suffered grievous oppression and death under Nazi
  tyranny.  Eleven million people were murdered
  during the Holocaust.
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• With your partner
• record words you aren't familiar with
• key words
• questions you might have
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What does 11 million people look like? 
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11 million people approximately equal the
populations of  Colorado 5.9
million Kansas 2.8 million Utah            2.
7 million Montana 900 thousand 

• Of those 11 million victims 1.5 million were
  children.

    Quick Write  Why study the Holocaust?
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Why study the Holocaust?

• 1.  A study of the Holocaust helps us think about
  the use and abuse of power and the roles and
  responsibilities of individuals, organizations,
  and nations when confronted with civil rights
  violations and/or policies of genocide.
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• 2.  The Holocaust provides a context for
  exploring the dangers of remaining silent,
  apathetic, and indifferent in the face of others'
  oppression.
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• 3.  Using literature as a vehicle for studying
  the Holocaust helps us develop as readers,
  writers, and thinkers.  Being an informed and
  active citizen in a global society requires
  advanced literacy skills.
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• What do you hope to learn from our study of the
  Holocaust?

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How can studying the Holocaust make an impact on
today's students?

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• http//www.youtube.com/watch?vtLDL566f_20
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During this unit we will use a variety of
literature to help us answer the two big
questions.  Much of the literature will contain
horrific and disturbing descriptions or visual
images. 

• To avoid revictimizing the victims and to be
  respectful of their memories, as well as the
  thoughts and feelings of our classmates, what
  behaviors should be expected during this
  literature study?
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• Brainstorm a list of what our classroom
  discussions look like and sound like.
• What are some things you can do if you have
  questions, concerns, or just need to talk about
  what you encounter in our literature study?
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How could the Holocaust happen?
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The Terrible Things An Allegory of the Holocaust
In Europe, during World War II, many people
looked the other way while terrible things
happened.  They pretended not to know that their
neighbors were being taken away and locked in
concentration camps.  They pretended not to hear
their cries for help.  The Nazis killed millions
of Jews and others in the Holocaust.  If everyone
had stood together at the first sign of evil
would this have happened?   Standing up for what
you know is right is not always easy.  Especially
if the one you face is bigger and stronger than
you.  It is easier to look the other way.  But if
you do, terrible things can happen.               
      -Eve Bunting

• Based on what we read in the book, Terrible
  Things, what do you think one of the reasons the
  Holocaust was able to happen?
• justify your answer with details from the story

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How were the victims oppressed?
http//www.ushmm.org/museum/exhibit/focus/antisemi
tism/voices/transcript/?content20090226
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Was there resistance?
http//www.youtube.com/watch?vdu47gpx39mM
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Why should we remember?

• Quick Write 
• Think about why we should remember the Holocaust.
• Share your thoughts with your partner.
• Write your best guess answer to the question (Why
  should we remember?). 

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The Holocaust was NOT an accident in History

• It happened because individuals, organizations,
  and governments made choices that legalized
  discrimination and allowed prejudice, hatred, and
  finally mass murder to occur

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• We must value our rights as citizens and take
  responsibility for our actions.
• Understanding history fosters perspective-taking,
  critical thinking, and moral decision making.
• History is the result of choices made by
  countless individuals and groups. Even the
  smallest of those decisions can have enormous
  consequences for both good and evil.

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What lessons can we learn about the
Holocaust?How can literature help us understand
the human experience?

• By the end of our Holocaust literature study you
  will be able to tell others what lessons you have
  learned about the Holocaust.  You will
  demonstrate your understanding of the lessons
  learned from the Holocaust and also your
  understanding of how we use literature as a
  record of the human experience.  So, as we
  journey through the literature of the Holocaust
  keep thinking about how the writers, poets,
  essayists, memoirists, artists, and film
  makers present their messages and how you might
  choose to present yours.

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Exit Slip

• On your exit slip write
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• 3 - things you learned
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• 2 - things that left you wondering
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• 1 - final response