Introduction+to+Unit

Rationale Learning about the Holocaust is important to understand how specific political and social events led to tragic consequences. By learning about the Holocaust, students see how Nazis used mind control and other practices that were inhumane to accomplish their goals. It is important for students to see the negative results of issues like racism and intolerance, issues that still remain today. By understanding the tragic results of these issues, students will understand the importance of accepting all people, an important life lesson. As informed and mature citizens, students need to learn why racism and intolerance have no place in our society. They should be able to see the connection between the Holocaust and other events, like slavery and even situations that occur in their lives today such as feelings towards Middle Eastern people after the September 11th attacks. No matter what career students go into, they will be working with people who are different than them and they will need to appreciate them. By understanding how easy it is for people to be persuaded to be racist or biased, they will better understand how to avoid it. They can also contemplate whether or not a Holocaust is possible today based on how people act. We are teaching in a variety of ways. We use visual, audio, and reading activities. Our activities are engaging and easy to relate to. The lessons ask the students to think deeper and make connections. We ask questions that ask the students to make connections with prior knowledge so they will remember the information. We also ask them to think about how ideas from the Holocaust remain today and what the consequences are. By offering information in a variety of forms, students of all learning styles should be able to get the information. We will offer alternative methods to accommodate students with special needs, as well. The texts the students read about different prisoners will be at a fairly easy reading level because the point of the activity is for them to get the information, not have their reading skills tested. We will provide texts that represent different viewpoints and ideas so students get a well rounded education. Students should be able to make connections between the Holocaust and present day issues, like the war on terror and the economic situation. By not tolerating other people because of their race or religion, tragic consequences can occur if not monitored. Although it may seem like something so dreadful could never happen again, it should be analyzed and discussed. The economic situation caused people to follow Hitler and aided his success. Discussions based on what makes a good leader depending on the current situations will happen and cause students to be aware of what is going on in the world around them.

Standards Addressed: 7.1.3. Genocide 7.1.5. Total War 7.2.3 World War Two 7.3.2 Totalitarianism 7.2.4 Responses to Genocide 4.1. Implementation of U.S. Foreign Policy 4.2. U.S. Role in International Institutions and Affairs