The Holocaust Through Literature
Updated: April 6, 2004
Elementary students read the novel Number the Stars and several picture books about WWII and the Holocaust. They identify literary elements in each story and create concept maps of these elements. Students use the literature to discuss WWII and the efforts to relocate the Jews. Then, students compare relocation efforts to other rescue efforts such as the Underground Railroad.
“The children in the rural district where I taught had limited experiences with people from different ethnic and cultural groups. This unit allowed me to 'back in' to the topics of prejudice and intolerance. The discussions that were prompted by [this unit] were spirited!”
Lynn Burdick, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
Objectives
| • | To identify literary elements in picture books and novels (character, setting, point of view, etc.). |
| • | To understand major events leading up to and during WWII. |
| • | To identify other acts of valor in history like those of the Holocaust liberators and rescuers depicted in the novel Number the Stars. |
| • | To recognize modern examples of prejudice and intolerance. |
Learning Areas
| • | Language arts |
| • | Social studies |
Levels
Software
| • | Microsoft® PowerPoint |
| • | Microsoft Publisher |
| • | Microsoft Internet Explorer |
| • | Microsoft Visio |
About Virtual Classroom Tours
Virtual Classroom Tours are created by educators and selected for publication by the AACTE Innovative Teachers Advisory Board. To learn how to use VCTs in the classroom, click on the links below:
Tell us what you think of this Virtual Classroom Tour. Send your feedback to teachers@microsoft.com .
