Students will take the role of “preservationists” of history in order to inform and impact the present and future. As they read Refugee, by Alan Gratz, Holocaust-related memoirs, diaries, and various Holocaust-related novels, students will analyze the texts for common themes. At the end of the unit, students will explain how one of these themes is not only relevant to the present, but also how it may help us combat injustices in our community and world.
Through works of art and accompanying written pieces, students will communicate their analysis of the themes. Their art could be a poem, short story, song, comic strip, essay, letter, drawing, painting, etc. Their written piece will explain their artwork and answers to the project’s driving question.
In an effort to challenge and combat their community’s biases and injustices, students will present their art and findings of how Holocaust themes can inform our present times at a community art exhibit.
Finally, students will put their artwork and writing in a scrapbook to be given to a local Holocaust survivor. The scrapbook will act as a symbol of how the younger generation will carry on the lessons they learned from history to positively will impact the future of their world.
Kathy Larsen Galecki is a middle school ELA teacher for the Avonworth School District.
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Suggested Technology: Computer for Presenter, Projector, Laptops for Students, Internet Connection, Speakers/Headphones.
Instructional Time: 10 hours.