Lesson One: Introduction to Jewish Life During the Holocaust

Learning Resource Type

Classroom Resource

Subject Area

Social Studies

Grade(s)

6, 9, 11

Overview

This lesson provides an introduction to the study of the Holocaust and can be used as the first lesson of a larger unit, or a stand-alone lesson to discuss essential content and themes. The Holocaust refers to the systematic murder of six million Jews, and millions of others, by Nazi Germany and its collaborators during World War II. The Nazi Party came to power in 1933. Its leader, Adolf Hitler, was appointed chancellor of Germany and began to target Jews. Roma/Sinti, those with physical or mental disabilities, LGBTQ people, political dissidents, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and others were considered enemies by the Nazis and not worthy of human rights.

Social Studies (2010) Grade(s): 6

SS10.6.6

Identify causes and consequences of World War II and reasons for the United States’ entry into the war.

UP:SS10.6.6

Vocabulary

  • consequences
  • Allies
  • Axis Powers
  • World War II
  • Pearl Harbor
  • Battle of Normandy
  • Battle of Stalingrad
  • Battle of Midway
  • Battle of the Bulge
  • Atomic Bomb
  • Holocaust

Knowledge

Students know:
  • How to identify the causes and consequences of WWII and what led to U.S. involvement in WWII.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Recognize relationships among people and places by locating historical events on a map.
  • Cite evidence to support historical events using primary and secondary sources.
  • Describe how world events contribute to international conflict.
  • Examine the contributions of significant individuals and/or groups, and their role in WWII.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • There were many causes and consequences of WWII and the motivations for American involvement in this war.
Social Studies (2010) Grade(s): 9 - World History

SS10.WH.14

Describe causes and consequences of World War II.

UP:SS10.WH.14

Vocabulary

  • Axis Powers
  • Allied Powers
  • Holocaust
  • Atomic Age
  • Nuremburg Trials
  • militarist
  • totalitarian
  • European Theater
  • Pacific Theater

Knowledge

Students know:
  • How to describe the causes and consequences of WWII.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Investigate and explain causal factors for historical events, using a variety of primary resources.
  • Develop and defend a position related to a historical event, citing specific textual evidence to support the student's position.
  • Relate historical consequences to resulting social and political changes.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • There were many causes and consequences of World War II.
Social Studies (2010) Grade(s): 11 - United States History II

SS10.US2.9

Describe the significance of major battles, events, and consequences of World War II campaigns, including North Africa, Midway, Normandy, Okinawa, the Battle of the Bulge, Iwo Jima, and the Yalta and Potsdam Conferences. [A.1.b., A.1.c., A.1.d., A.1.e., A.1.g., A.1.i., A.1.k.]

UP:SS10.US2.9

Vocabulary

  • WWII campaigns
  • Midway
  • Normandy
  • Okinawa
  • Battle of the Bulge
  • Iwo Jima
  • Yalta Conference
  • Potsdam Conference
  • allied and axis expansion
  • Blitzkrieg
  • island-hopping
  • amphibious landings
  • atomic bomb
  • Holocaust
  • Bataan Death March
  • Nuremberg Trials
  • Declaration of Human Rights
  • Genocide Convention

Knowledge

Students know:
  • Major battles, events, and consequences of World War II campaigns.
  • The location on a map of major battles of WWII and the territorial claims of the different WWII powers.
  • Military strategies used in WWII.
  • Reasons for and results of dropping atomic bombs on Japan.
  • Events, incidents, and consequences of war crimes committed during WWII.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Locate specific points on a map and identify political, social, and geographic changes that occurred during or as a result of a historical event.
  • Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of information presented in diverse formats and media.
  • Evaluate an author's premises, claims, and evidence by corroborating or challenging them with other information related to historical events.
  • Read and comprehend historical texts independently and proficiently on various topics related to events that led to WWII and the effect of those events on American foreign policy today.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • There were many key events and battles of WWII that had an impact on the outcome of the war, and the relationships between countries in the post-war world.

CR Resource Type

Lesson/Unit Plan

Resource Provider

Museum of Jewish Heritage

License Type

Custom
https://education.mjhnyc.org/lessons/lesson-plan-one-introduction-to-jewish-lif…

Custom License Type (URL)

https://education.mjhnyc.org/register/

Accessibility

Text Resources: Content is organized under headings and subheadings

Comments or Notes

The Museum of Jewish Heritage is free. To access some lessons and other materials, teachers need to register for a free account. 

Approved Date

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