| Full lesson | Create for a teacher a set of content for giving a lesson, beginning with the lesson plan. Each new block of materials must begin with an H1 heading (other subheaders must be H2, H3, etc). When you describe required pictures, write those descriptions in curly brackets, for example: {A picture of a triangle} |
| Which subject | History |
| What topic | explain the causes, events, and the effects of the Holocaust (1933-1945) including its roots in the long tradition of antisemitism, 19th century ideas about race and nation, and Nazi dehumanization of the Jews and other victims |
| What length (min) | 90 |
| What age group | Year or Grade 9 |
| Class size | 15 |
| What curriculum | ss.912.w.7.8 |
| Include full script | |
| Check previous homework | |
| Ask some students to presents their homework | |
| Add a physical break | |
| Add group activities | |
| Include homework | |
| Show correct answers | |
| Prepare slide templates | |
| Number of slides | 15 |
| Create fill-in cards for students | |
| Create creative backup tasks for unexpected moments |
History
Year/Grade 9
The Holocaust (1933-1945): Causes, events, and effects, including roots in antisemitism, 19th century race ideas, and Nazi dehumanization of Jews and other victims.
15 Students
SS.912.W.7.8
| Step Number | Step Title | Length (minutes) | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction to the Topic | 10 | Brief overview of the Holocaust. Discuss its significance in history. |
| 2 | Roots of Antisemitism | 15 | Explain the long tradition of antisemitism and its connection to the Holocaust. Use of primary sources. |
| 3 | 19th Century Ideas about Race | 15 | Discuss ideas about race and nation in the 19th century. Use multimedia presentations. |
| 4 | Nazi Ideology and Dehumanization | 20 | Explain how Nazi ideology dehumanized Jews and other victims. Small group discussion. |
| 5 | Group Activity | 20 | Split students into small groups to explore specific events of the Holocaust. Provide each group with a task outline. |
| 6 | Printable Cards Activity | 5 | Distribute printable cards for students to fill out throughout the lesson about key terms and concepts. |
| 7 | Collective Review and Check | 5 | Randomly collect or check what students filled in on their cards. Provide feedback. |
| 8 | Conclusion | 5 | Summarize the key points of the lesson. Encourage reflection on the importance of remembering the Holocaust. |
| 9 | Homework Assignment | 5 | Distribute a homework assignment related to the day’s lesson, checking for understanding without presentations. |
"Good morning, class. Today, we are going to start an important and sensitive topic in history—the Holocaust. This was a period from 1933 to 1945 in which six million Jews and millions of others were systematically murdered by the Nazi regime. Understanding the Holocaust is essential because it teaches us about the dire consequences of hatred and intolerance. As we go through today's lesson, I want you all to keep in mind the significance of remembering this history. Let's begin with looking at a brief overview of the Holocaust."
"Now, let’s dive deeper into the roots of antisemitism. Antisemitism—hostility towards Jews—has existed for centuries. To understand its connection to the Holocaust, we must recognize that these prejudices did not develop overnight. Using some primary source documents, such as letters and images from different periods, we can see that negative attitudes towards Jews were deeply ingrained in society. Let's take a moment to review these sources together. I encourage you to raise your hands with your observations about how these sentiments could have contributed to the events leading up to the Holocaust."
"Next, we will explore the 19th-century ideas about race. During this time, various pseudo-scientific theories emerged that categorized people hierarchically based on race. Many people believed in the superiority of certain races over others, which fueled dangerous ideologies. I will show you a multimedia presentation highlighting key figures and their philosophies from that era. As we watch, think about how these ideas may have contributed to the rationalization of discriminatory behaviors against Jews and other marginalized groups."
"Let’s now examine Nazi ideology and the dehumanization of Jews and other victims. The Nazis saw Jews not just as a different religion, but as a racial threat. This ideology justified horrific actions taken against them. I want you to break into small groups for a discussion. Each group will focus on different aspects of how the Nazis used language, propaganda, and laws to dehumanize their targets. After 10 minutes, we will come back and share our insights with the class."
"Alright, everyone, it’s time for our group activity! I want you to discuss specific events that occurred during the Holocaust in your respective groups. Each group will receive a task outline, which includes a specific event to research, and prepare to present your findings to the class. You have 20 minutes for this activity. Remember, it's important to work collaboratively and support one another in your exploration of this topic."
"Now, I’ll be distributing printable cards for you all to fill out. On these cards, you’ll write down key terms and concepts from today’s lesson, including definitions and any other pertinent information you find valuable. Feel free to jot down interesting facts or personal reflections as well. You'll just have 5 minutes for this, but keep it close to you throughout the lesson."
"Next, let’s review what you’ve written on your printable cards. I will randomly collect these from you. While I go through them, I will provide you with feedback on the information and insights you’ve captured. Don’t worry, this is just to help ensure everyone's on the same page. Let’s take about 5 minutes for this review."
"As we near the end of our lesson, let’s summarize the key points we discussed today. We started with the importance of understanding the Holocaust, explored its roots in antisemitism, examined 19th-century race ideas, and delved into the Nazi ideology that dehumanized so many. Remember, reflecting on this history not only honors those who suffered but also serves as a lesson for us all. I encourage you to think about how we can apply these lessons in our lives today."
"For your homework, I would like you to write a reflection paper on what you have learned about the Holocaust, focusing particularly on its causes and effects. Please keep your paper to no more than two pages and reference at least two sources from our class materials. This assignment is due next week. If you have questions about it, feel free to reach out to me."
"Thank you, everyone. I appreciate your engagement and sensitivity during today’s discussion. See you next class!"
| Slide Number | Image | Slide Content |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | {Image: A symbolic representation of the Holocaust} | - Introduction to the Holocaust - Period: 1933-1945 - Six million Jews and millions of others murdered - Importance of remembering this history |
| 2 | {Image: Historical images depicting antisemitism} | - Roots of antisemitism - Definition: Hostility towards Jews - Longstanding prejudices - Insights from primary sources |
| 3 | {Image: Illustrations of 19th-century theories about race} | - 19th Century ideas about race - Emergence of pseudo-scientific theories - Hierarchical categorization based on race - Rationalization of discrimination |
| 4 | {Image: Propaganda posters from Nazi Germany} | - Nazi ideology and dehumanization - Jews seen as a racial threat - Language and propaganda used to justify actions - Group discussion activity |
| 5 | {Image: Students working in groups} | - Group activity overview - Research specific events from the Holocaust - Collaborative exploration - Prepare to present findings |
| 6 | {Image: Printable cards with key terms} | - Printable cards activity - Write down key terms and concepts - Include definitions and personal reflections - Quick 5-minute task |
| 7 | {Image: Teacher reviewing student cards} | - Collective review and check - Random collection of cards - Teacher feedback on captured insights - Ensuring understanding across the class |
| 8 | {Image: Summary chart of key lesson points} | - Conclusion recap - Importance of understanding the Holocaust - Roots in antisemitism and race ideas - Lessons for the present |
| 9 | {Image: Student writing a reflection paper} | - Homework assignment details - Write a reflection paper on the Holocaust - Focus on causes and effects - Due next week, max two pages |
| 10 | {Image: Classroom with students discussing} | - Encourage engagement - Importance of sensitivity during discussions - Open for questions and support - Looking forward to next class |
| 11 | {Image: Historical timeline of the Holocaust} | - Overview of Holocaust events - Key dates and milestones - Understanding the timeline's impact on history |
| 12 | {Image: Quotes from Holocaust survivors} | - Personal reflections on the Holocaust - Survivor testimonies - Importance of memory and storytelling |
| 13 | {Image: A classroom poster on tolerance} | - Lessons on tolerance and acceptance - How to apply lessons from the Holocaust today - Importance of combating hatred in our communities |
| 14 | {Image: Examples of anti-bullying campaigns} | - Contemporary relevance - Role of education in preventing hatred - Initiatives for fostering understanding and respect |
| 15 | {Image: Thank you note to students} | - Closing thoughts - Appreciation for class engagement - Reminder of homework and next class discussion |
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What was the Holocaust, and why is it significant to study this period in history? | |
| How did antisemitism contribute to the events leading up to the Holocaust? | |
| What are some historical examples of antisemitism mentioned in primary sources? | |
| How did 19th-century ideas about race influence societal attitudes towards Jews? | |
| What pseudo-scientific theories emerged in the 19th century regarding race? | |
| In what ways did Nazi ideology dehumanize Jews and other victims during the Holocaust? | |
| How did the Nazis use language and propaganda to justify their actions against Jews? | |
| Can you provide an example of a specific event during the Holocaust that your group discussed? | |
| What key terms and concepts did you find important while reviewing your printable cards? | |
| How can reflecting on the Holocaust help us address issues of hatred and intolerance today? | |
| What are the main causes and effects of the Holocaust as discussed in class? | |
| What sources did you reference in your reflection paper about the Holocaust? |