The Holocaust: A Question of Choice

Choices.  Arguably the most powerful word in the English language today.  We all make choices and are affected by our decisions.  And while some choices are simple, like what to eat for breakfast, others are not.  Sometimes choices have impacted history and have led people to become indifferent to the suffering of others. 

Your task is to create a scrapbook using pictures, journal entries, poems, memorabilia, maps, timelines, and other information to answer a series of questions.

• Each person will be assigned to a group of four or five.
• The research is divided into five topics.
• Each person in the group will be assigned a topic to research.
• The group will collaborate and share their information to create a group scrapbook.

#1  Overview of the Holocaust 

#3  Concentration Camps 

#4  Ghettos 

1. Each individual within the group of five will research his/her topic using the Internet sites provided. Each student will be provided with specified websites to research. 
2. Each website will have particular questions to answer to provide guided research.
3. Each group member will work individually on the computer researching and collecting

information on his/her topic.

4. Information found then will be shared and used by the group to help create their scrapbook.
5. Class time will be provided for the groups to meet and put their scrapbooks together.
6. Each group will be expected to present their research through their scrapbook to the class.

** Be sure that you properly document ALL information that you use

#1  Holocaust Overview | #2  Jews in Pre-War Germany |  #3  Concentration Camps |
| #4  Ghettos | #5  Effects of the Holocaust |

1. Kristallnacht (www.ushmm.org/kristallnact/learn.htm)

a.  Click on "Synagogues" in the menu.

b.  What is a synagogue?

c.  Describe how synagogues were affected during the Night of Broken Glass.

d.  Draw a picture of a synagogue.

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1. The History Place - A Holocaust Timeline (www.historyplace.com/worldwar2/holocaust/h-knacht.htm)

a.  Define "Kristallnacht."

b.  Why was this night given this name?

c.  When did it occur?

d.  List the events in order.

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3. Teacher's Guide to the Holocaust (http://fcit.coedu.usf.edu/holocaust/gallery/kris.htm)

a.  Use the map to identify how many cities were targeted for synagogue destruction.

• Name three cities that were targeted.

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4. The Holocaust: A Learning Site for Students  (http://www.ushmm.org/outreach/jger33.htm)

a.  Read through the information.

b.  Briefly describe the role of Anti-Semitism throughout history.

• What were the Nuremburg Laws and how did they affect people in Germany?

1. Auschwitz-Birkenau Photographs (www.remember.org/jacobs/index.html)

1. Choose three images from this camp to re-draw.
2. Each picture should include a title and a description.

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2. Teacher's Guide to the Holocaust (http://fcit.coedu.usf.edu/holocaust/timeline/camps.htm)

1. What were the first Nazi concentration camps?
2. What was the primary purpose of these camps?
3. Name the six death camps constructed in Poland.

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3. A Virtual Tour of Auschwitz (http://remember.org/educate/intro.html#table)

1. Click on "Illustrated Tour of Auschwitz."
2. Select "Virtual Tour of Auschwitz."
3. Explore the different parts of the journal.
4. Choose three parts of the journal to focus on.
5. Select and draw one image from each part selected.
6. Provide a title and description for each picture.

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1. Family Photograph (www.remember.org/image/378.gif)

1. Draw a picture from this website.
2. Create your own caption, naming the family, and describing where they are going and/or what they are doing.

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2. The Ghettos: The Synopsis of Abe's Story (www.remember.org/abe/map.html)

1. Describe the conditions of the Kutno Ghetto.
2. What did Abe want to do in order to avoid death?
3. Describe Abe's mother's reaction to his plan.
4. Who helped convince his mother that his escape was the right thing to do?
5. Was Abe's escape successful?

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3. The Jewish Student Online Research Center

(www.us-israel.org/jsource/Holocaust/polghetto.html)

1. Focus on "Ghettos in Poland."
2. Define "ghetto."
3. Locate on a hand-drawn map where three Polish ghettos existed.
4. Click on "Warsaw Ghetto".
5. Describe the conditions in the Warsaw Ghetto.

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1. Southern Institute for Education and Research (http://www.tulane.edu/~so-inst/mainpage.html)

1. Click on "Louisiana Holocaust Survivors."
2. Choose one of the five survivors to describe.
3. Identify who they are, where and when they were born, and their experiences as Holocaust survivors.

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1. Memories of my Childhood in the Holocaust (http://remember.org/witness/jagermann.html)

1. Identify the author.
2. Begin by reading the first four chapters.
3. Describe Judith's experiences as a young girl during this time period.
4. In chapter 4, what does Judith say is the most important thing?
5. How old was Judith when she was sent to the camp?

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3. Ordinary Germans and the Holocaust (www.historyplace.com/pointsofview/goldhagen.htm)

1. Are there good reasons for becoming a bystander?  Explain your reasoning.  
2. Write a summary of the information provided. (3-5 sentences)

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4. Comparing and Contrasting Opinions

• Compare and contrast two viewpoints that you have read about in this section.

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