A question for parents:

[ABSTRUSE]

I mentioned in Vana's road less traveled thread that I'm working on a project teaching young children (4th grade) about the Holocaust.

What would be your concerns as a parent of a child learning this?

We don't plan on going into graphic details about the atrocities, just about intolerance, the roles people took on during this time period ex; survivors, rescuers, instigators...etc.

If anyone has any suggestions on approaches, I would welcome them.

Thank you,

Abs.

 

[DesertPirate]

1. Point out the absolute evil of judging a race on their race.
2. Highlight the rescuers and what they risked to do the right thing.

 

[impressive]

I would emphasize that it's a prime example of the things people will do out of fear.

 

[ABSTRUSE]

1. Point out the absolute evil of judging a race on their race.
2. Highlight the rescuers and what they risked to do the right thing.

Yes...........and there is a good book too

Terrible Things by Eve Bunting. Its an allegory about the Holocaust, but written for children. The main character is a small bunny. Everyone around him is eventually taken away from the forest....and no one does anything until he is the only one left to tell the tale.

 

[ABSTRUSE]

I would emphasize that it's a prime example of the things people will do out of fear.

Yes, excellent!

 

[Maeve_redux]

I was absolutely fascinated by the holocaust at about that age, and actually looked deeply into the old forgotten books and such to find the exact details you're planning on leaving out. I wanted to see the pictures of the people, and of the bodies piled up, and to read about the experiments and things done in the camps. I understand that not everybody is like this, and most don't have that level of fascination with the fact that IT COULD HAPPEN at all, so...

Separate the students. On one side of the classroom, all of those with dark hair and eyes, those with light hair and eyes on the other. From the second group take out any that are smaller than the others. Any that are sick, or have any sort of physical problems. Then the ones whose ancestors are from England or Russia, or any of those other 'inferior' countries.

Then point out that the one or two that are left would be the only ones to survive if it happened again.

 

[cricketbug]

I don't normally lurk in the AH, but I saw this post and figured I'd reply...

I'm a teacher (secondary) and I just finished a unit on the Holocaust - my "kids" are anywhere from 9th to 12th grades (mixed level class) and are non-native English speakers, so I had to do a much simpler lesson than if I were in a traditional school.

I found a "Holocaust Trunk" full of interesting books, dvd's posters, etc. from the Judaic Studies department at one of the colleges here in Denver. I'd say check out the US Holocaust Museum and see what resources they suggest for younger students. http://www.ushmm.org/

As a parent, I wouldn't want the truth glossed over too much for my daughter. If she's anything like me, she'll go digging for what she wants! I'd say, like others have noted, keep it simple and if they ask, answer honestly.

 

[ABSTRUSE]

I don't normally lurk in the AH, but I saw this post and figured I'd reply...

I'm a teacher (secondary) and I just finished a unit on the Holocaust - my "kids" are anywhere from 9th to 12th grades (mixed level class) and are non-native English speakers, so I had to do a much simpler lesson than if I were in a traditional school.

I found a "Holocaust Trunk" full of interesting books, dvd's posters, etc. from the Judaic Studies department at one of the colleges here in Denver. I'd say check out the US Holocaust Museum and see what resources they suggest for younger students. http://www.ushmm.org/

As a parent, I wouldn't want the truth glossed over too much for my daughter. If she's anything like me, she'll go digging for what she wants! I'd say, like others have noted, keep it simple and if they ask, answer honestly.

Thank you for the link!


and Thanks MRedux

 

[Recidiva]

Paper Clips is a good movie to watch, and the whole concept was geared toward kids.

Granted, I think the idea the exhibit in an actual rail car where people were herded to their deaths is sorta like exposing people to psychic Ebola, but that's just me. I wouldn't go near it.

But I'd watch the movie again.

http://www.paperclipsmovie.com/

 

[rgraham666]

I would emphasize that it's a prime example of the things people will do out of fear.

Works for me.

 

[Weird Harold]

I mentioned in Vana's road less traveled thread that I'm working on a project teaching young children (4th grade) about the Holocaust.

What would be your concerns as a parent of a child learning this?

We don't plan on going into graphic details about the atrocities, just about intolerance, the roles people took on during this time period ex; survivors, rescuers, instigators...etc.

If anyone has any suggestions on approaches, I would welcome them.

Thank you,

Abs.

I would start with the issue of finding a scapegoat for the crippling depression and how anti-semitism was rife in the 1920's and 30's -- even here in America with such prominant figures as Henry Ford and Charles Lindburg.

I would end with an observation that the same sort of seeds are still working today -- anti-semitism, religious intolerance, etc, -- and only eternal vigilance will prevent it from happening again.

 

[ABSTRUSE]

Paper Clips is a good movie to watch, and the whole concept was geared toward kids.

Granted, I think the idea the exhibit in an actual rail car where people were herded to their deaths is sorta like exposing people to psychic Ebola, but that's just me. I wouldn't go near it.

But I'd watch the movie again.

http://www.paperclipsmovie.com/

I just watched the trailer...wow.
This is great! Thanks Diva

 

[ABSTRUSE]

I would start with the issue of finding a scapegoat for the crippling depression and how anti-semitism was rife in the 1920's and 30's -- even here in America with such prominant figures as Henry Ford and Charles Lindburg.

I would end with an observation that the same sort of seeds are still working today -- anti-semitism, religious intolerance, etc, -- and only eternal vigilance will prevent it from happening again.

Excellent idea, thank you

 

[Recidiva]

I just watched the trailer...wow.
This is great! Thanks Diva

You're welcome, my daughter and I watched it. It's a very simple idea, but when you see the sheer volume...it's extraordinarily powerful.

I think you'd enjoy the movie, and any ideas you carry from there to the kids would be good.

And it puts it in a hopeful context, one that makes children feel they can DO something. That children have done something.

Just posting this gave me chills and I started crying, so it's a good movie.

 

[glynndah]

I was absolutely fascinated by the holocaust at about that age, and actually looked deeply into the old forgotten books and such to find the exact details you're planning on leaving out. I wanted to see the pictures of the people, and of the bodies piled up, and to read about the experiments and things done in the camps. I understand that not everybody is like this, and most don't have that level of fascination with the fact that IT COULD HAPPEN at all, so...

Separate the students. On one side of the classroom, all of those with dark hair and eyes, those with light hair and eyes on the other. From the second group take out any that are smaller than the others. Any that are sick, or have any sort of physical problems. Then the ones whose ancestors are from England or Russia, or any of those other 'inferior' countries.

Then point out that the one or two that are left would be the only ones to survive if it happened again.

There's a very famous psychology experiment similar to this. I think they involved an entire school for one day.

 

[ABSTRUSE]

You're welcome, my daughter and I watched it. It's a very simple idea, but when you see the sheer volume...it's extraordinarily powerful.

I think you'd enjoy the movie, and any ideas you carry from there to the kids would be good.

And it puts it in a hopeful context, one that makes children feel they can DO something. That children have done something.

Just posting this gave me chills and I started crying, so it's a good movie.

I hug you big time.
I don't think kids understand the enormity of a number such as six million +.
Maybe we can have the kids do it with pennies and use the money to donate to a local fund for survivors?

 

[Recidiva]

I hug you big time.
I don't think kids understand the enormity of a number such as six million +.
Maybe we can have the kids do it with pennies and use the money to donate to a local fund for survivors?

Yay hugs!

The movie had them asking people to send and donate paper clips, they came in by huge amounts from all over the world. Suitcases and trunks and containers. The personal letters and donations were so touching.

I think that's the important thing. Make people feel that they can DO something against hatred and violence. They're not helpless. Empowering.

 

[ABSTRUSE]

Yay hugs!

The movie had them asking people to send and donate paper clips, they came in by huge amounts from all over the world. Suitcases and trunks and containers. The personal letters and donations were so touching.

I think that's the important thing. Make people feel that they can DO something against hatred and violence. They're not helpless. Empowering.

I found this interesting:
Paper clips were chosen in part because some people from Norway wore them on their lapels as a symbol of resistance against Nazi occupation during World War II. (Norwegian Johan Vaaler is often incorrectly credited for inventing paper clips.)

The paper clips were sent by various people by mail; the letters came from about 20 different countries. Some celebrities, like George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, Bill Cosby, Steven Spielberg, Tom Bosley and Tom Hanks were among those mailing in the clips. As of the summer of 2004, the school had collected about 24 million paper clips. As of 2005, many more are still coming in. Most letters contain a personal story or a dedication of the attached paper clips to a certain person. Some of these stories are shared in the film.

 

[Recidiva]

I found this interesting:
Paper clips were chosen in part because some people from Norway wore them on their lapels as a symbol of resistance against Nazi occupation during World War II. (Norwegian Johan Vaaler is often incorrectly credited for inventing paper clips.)

The paper clips were sent by various people by mail; the letters came from about 20 different countries. Some celebrities, like George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, Bill Cosby, Steven Spielberg, Tom Bosley and Tom Hanks were among those mailing in the clips. As of the summer of 2004, the school had collected about 24 million paper clips. As of 2005, many more are still coming in. Most letters contain a personal story or a dedication of the attached paper clips to a certain person. Some of these stories are shared in the film.

This film is an excellent piece of art, done with love and dedication. And above all, humility.

 

[ABSTRUSE]

This film is an excellent piece of art, done with love and dedication. And above all, humility.

I must possess it now. Thank you so much

 

[Recidiva]

I must possess it now. Thank you so much

You're welcome! I'm sure it'll speak to you, and you can speak to the kids. You're good that way.

 

[ABSTRUSE]

I wish I knew about this earlier:

http://www.hmh.org/minisite/butterfly/index.html

 

[CharleyH]

I mentioned in Vana's road less traveled thread that I'm working on a project teaching young children (4th grade) about the Holocaust.

What would be your concerns as a parent of a child learning this?

We don't plan on going into graphic details about the atrocities, just about intolerance, the roles people took on during this time period ex; survivors, rescuers, instigators...etc.

If anyone has any suggestions on approaches, I would welcome them.

Thank you,

Abs.

I think part of the lesson should focus on the Germans and how ordinary German people became wrapped in the ideology at the time. It's something that can easily happen to us, even now. I am not sure how I'd put it in terms that grade 4 people would understand, but I do believe that looking at things from all perspectives is important at that age. I might, in such a class, bring an object or bauble and then ask students to describe from different angles.

 

[SweetPrettyAss]

There are still a few people who, contrary to all the documentation and personal observation and other powerful evidence, deny the Holocaust ever happened. The opinions held by these whackos should probably be included. Not derided, but held up as evidence of how blind to reality some people can be when it suits their personal agendas.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

I've studied the Holocaust for many years. The Holocaust is a chapter of a bigger drama that spans centuries.

The drama was never about race or religion per se. It was an issue of ethnicity and wealth and influence from before the time of Moses and the pharoahs.

Some ethnic groups excel at basketball; Jews excel at commerce and finance. Everyone covets Jewish money. The Babylonians wanted it, the Egyptians wanted it, Jesus and the Romans wanted it, the Muslims wanted it, the Pope wanted it, and Hitler wanted it.

The Holocaust solved a lot of practical political problems for Hitler. Jewish wealth paid for the German recovery from the Depression. Jewish jobs and property removed the German middle class from soup lines. No one wanted the displaced broke Jews, so Hitler murdered them.