Target Curriculum: World History, World Geography, U.S. History
Target Grades: 9, 10, and 11
SOLs: HSS 9.10, HSS 9.11, HSS 10.6, HSS 11.11, C/T 8.4
Time: Approximately one week
Objective and Goals:
Students will have a deeper understanding of World War II, the Holocaust, and the struggle of prisoners in the concentration camps of Europe.
Purpose:
This lesson gives students a deeper understanding of the life of a prisoner in the concentration camps of WWII during the Holocaust. It also helps students to "put a face" on prisoners of the concentration camps. This lesson is important, because it is in contrast to the often unemotional and detached presentation of WWII and the Holocaust found in many textbooks.
Materials:
- Internet access on at least one computer
- Library access
Procedure:
- Conduct research in the library to locate all the concentration camps of WWII. Instruct students to plot these on a Europe map. The following Internet site will provide a map of the concentration camps: http://holocaust.about.com/education/holocaust/library/pictures/nchart.htm?iam=dp8 - This lesson is more effective if taught after background information on WWII and the Holocaust has been thoroughly discussed with the students.
- Access the following internet site: http://www.remember.org/witness/jagermann.html
- Print one copy of Judith Jagermann's personal account of life in a concentration camp.
- Read the account aloud to the class. It may be necessary to edit the few inappropriate phrases. This part of the lesson may take two class periods.
- Prior to the last day of reading Judith Jagermann's personal account, assign the students to wear their favorite pair of shoes to class the next day.
- Access the following Internet site: http://ushmm.org/uia-cgi/uia_form/db_group/collections - Type shoes into search, then click on the third item. This is a photo of victims' shoes after the liberation of Majdanek. Have students view and reflect on what they see in the shoes.
- Have the students create their own pile of shoes in the classroom. Then have the students sit quietly while reflecting on the pile of shoes. Have them write a short paragraph explaining how well their chosen shoes would have served them if they had been in a concentration camp.
- Copy a historical map of World War II Europe for each student. Have the students check the Web site: http://holocaust.about.com/education/holocaust/library/pictures/nchart.htm?iam=dp8 - Click on The Camps, then click on detailed map.
- Have discussion session. Discussion questions follow.
Observation:
I have found it much better to read Ms. Jaegermann's account aloud in class rather than having the students read it silently or even having them read it aloud in class. It seems to make a greater impact on the students, because it gives them time to reflect and absorb the information. I also stop at certain points in the account and add explanation for the students. This gives the students an opportunity to ask pertinent questions as we read the account.
Conclusions:
After completing this lesson, students will have a better understanding and comprehension of what a victim or survivor of the Holocaust endured. This lesson supplements the facts of the Holocaust and WWII.
For Your Information:
It is important for the teacher to be aware that some students will find the account very disturbing and may even become somewhat emotional. I have found it wise to inform the students as well as the parents several days before we begin this lesson. By doing this, parents are prepared if their children want to discuss the emotional aspects of this lesson with them.
Extension:
This is an excellent lesson to complete as an interdisciplinary unit with a Language Arts class. The LA class will read The Diary of Anne Frank, which depicts the life of a Jewish family up until the deportation to a concentration camp. The lesson illustrates what Anne Frank and her family may have experienced after placement in a concentration camp.
Class Discussion Questions:
- Why did Adolf Hitler target the Jews?
- What is a scapegoat?
- How did Hitler convince most of the German people to support his plan of Jewish extermination?
- How did the Nazi's de-humanize the Jewish prisoners?
Include additional questions for discussion. Students will ask many questions during the oral presentation or Ms. Jagermann's account.
Cautions and Concerns:
It is an excellent idea to obtain parental support for this lesson. I also usually make my administration aware when I conduct this lesson.
Comments from the Author
The following are excellent Internet sites for research or additional information:
Written By: Karen Cross
Submitted By: Karen Cross
Grade Taught:
School: E.B. Stanley Middle School (http://ebsms.wcs.k12.va.us)
Division: Washington County Public Schools (http://www.wcs.k12.va.us)