Life in the Shadows - History of the Children of the Holocaust and World War II
What's included
12 live meetings
10 in-class hoursHomework
1-2 hours per week. To get us started, students will have a vocabulary list and a Leaders of World War II worksheet that should be done before the first class. Both of these will enhance and reinforce our learning. Almost every week, there will be a book that needs to be read for the following week. These books are a mix of novels and graphic novels. There is also a final project. Each student will have a choice from five different projects they will present to the class. I will present these options at the beginning of the first class and several times throughout the course. Students will have 3-5 minutes to make their presentations.Certificate of Completion
includedClass Experience
US Grade 5 - 8
"Why take a class on the Holocaust? Won't it just be depressing?" This is a common sentiment shared by many people. While it is true that the Holocaust was a tragic and horrifying event in human history, there are reasons why it is crucial to learn about it. By studying the Holocaust, we can understand how it came to be and how it could have been prevented. We need to understand the factors that led to the rise of Hitler and the Nazi regime and the actions taken by ordinary people, governments, and other entities that contributed to the atrocities. By learning about the Holocaust, we can be better equipped to recognize and respond to similar patterns of hatred and discrimination in our world today. Studying the Holocaust can also be empowering. It teaches us about the resilience and bravery of those who fought against it and survived. By learning about the experiences of Holocaust survivors, young and old, we can gain insight into the human spirit's ability to endure unimaginable suffering and still find hope and meaning in life. Lastly, by studying the Holocaust, we can honor the memory of those who perished and ensure that their stories are not forgotten. We are responsible for bearing witness to what happened and ensuring that such atrocities never happen again. Therefore, in this class, we will delve into the history of the Holocaust and examine its impact on young people, their families, and their entire communities. We will also explore the lessons we can learn from it and apply them to our lives today. While some of the topics we will cover may be difficult to confront, we will approach them with sensitivity and respect, always keeping in mind the importance of learning and remembering. So you're prepared for our first class, a vocabulary list and leaders of World War II worksheet will be provided, which students should complete before the first week of class. These activities will help us to hit the ground running and facilitate a deeper understanding of the material we will cover.
Learning Goals
Comprehend the rise of the Nazi regime: Analyze the political, social, and economic factors that led to the rise of Hitler and the Nazi party.
Identify key events: Understand major events such as the implementation of the Nuremberg Laws, Kristallnacht, the establishment of ghettos, and concentration camps.
Syllabus
Curriculum
Follows Teacher-Created Curriculum12 Lessons
over 12 WeeksLesson 1:
Introduction to Hitler and WWII
In our first class, we'll introduce ourselves, review the twelve-week topics, and cover a brief history of Hitler from 1933 to 1945, including the Nuremberg Laws, concentration camps, Nazi ideology, and the liberation of Jews. We'll also discuss student's final presentation, allowing students to apply their learning.
Homework: Read "Ruth and the Night of Broken Glass" by Emma Carlson Berne
50 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
The Holocaust
In this week's class, we will delve deeper into the Holocaust and its history by discussing Emma Carlson Berne's book, "Ruth and the Night of Broken Glass." We will explore crucial topics such as the rise of antisemitism, the harrowing events of Kristallnacht (or the Night of Broken Glass), the living conditions of Ghettos for kids, and why Jews were sent to them.
Homework: Read "A Bag of Marbles" by Joseph Joffo and the Holocaust worksheet
50 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
A Bag Full of Marbles
Although Anne Frank's story is widely known, it's important to acknowledge that numerous other children also survived the Holocaust and have unique stories. In this class, we will delve into the accounts of several children who survived one of the darkest periods in history. We will also be discussing the book "A Bag of Marbles."
Homework: Read "Lily Renée, Escape Artist: From Holocaust Survivor to Comic Book Pioneer" by Trina Robbins.
50 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Kindertransport
We'll discuss Lily Renée's story and the Kindertransport, exploring the efforts and reasons behind rescuing thousands of Jewish children. We'll also examine various methods used to help Jewish children escape Nazi-occupied countries.
Homework: Read "Once" by Morris Gleitzman
50 mins online live lesson
Other Details
Parental Guidance
The Holocaust stands as one of the most harrowing events in human history. From 1939 to 1945, over 6 million Jews, including 1.5 million children, were ruthlessly killed. During the first two weeks of our class, we will examine the ascent of Hitler and the Nazi Party. In the ensuing weeks, we will delve into the Holocaust and focus on the children who endured this unspeakable horror. Our course material will be presented at an age-appropriate level, but it's possible that some students may have questions or concerns about the subject matter. Whether in the classroom or at home, please know that I am always available to assist and support you in any discussions/questions you may have.
Supply List
Students will need the following books, e-books, or audiobooks for the class, which you should be able to get from your library or Hoopla. For any articles that your student may need to read, I will supply them in the classroom. The following are the title you will need: "Ruth and the Night of Broken Glass" by Emma Carlson Berne "A Bag of Marbles" by Joseph Joffo "Lily Renée, Escape Artist: From Holocaust Survivor to Comic Book Pioneer" by Trina Robbins "Once" by Morris Gleitzman "Number the Stars" by Lois Lowry "The Boy Who Dared" by Susan Campbell Bartoletti "They Called Us Enemy" by George Takei ‘Tokyo Rose” by Andre R. Frattino Optional - "Survivors of the Holocaust" and "What is the Holocaust?"
2 files available upon enrollment
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Teacher expertise and credentials
Master's Degree in English from Simmons University
Our class content will be presented in a manner that is appropriate for the age level of the students. While we will touch upon the existence of death camps, we will refrain from describing the gruesome details of how Jews were killed. As we progress through the latter half of the semester, we will also highlight examples of positive actions that were taken during this period. For instance, we will discuss the efforts made by the Government of Denmark, which managed to rescue over 7,200 Jews by evacuating all but 300 from the country.
The course syllabus and teaching plan have been subject to a rigorous peer review and have received the approval of my professor. Should you have any queries or apprehensions regarding this class, please do not hesitate to contact me, and I will be pleased to answer them.
Reviews
Live Group Course
$18
weekly or $215 for 12 classes1x per week, 12 weeks
50 min
Completed by 10 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 10-14
3-10 learners per class
Financial Assistance
Tutoring
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