What are we capable of? Teaching the Holocaust at Secondary School across all subjects
This is a guide for any teacher, faculty or school who wants to teach the Holocaust in a cross curricular way. They are designed to fit into the key question of 'What are we capable of?' By focusing on this key question it allows for critical thinking, creation and reflection about the Holocaust while still being able to be subject specific.
Each lesson is designed to include individual testimonies from Holocaust survivors who have a relationship with the National Holocaust Centre.
History:
1.When did the Holocaust begin?
https://yarncommunity.org/stories/364
2. Who had a choice during the Holocaust?
Considers if individuals were capable to make a choice.
RE: Should we forgive?
Considering who can forgive for the Holocaust.
English: How does Chinua Achebe present both love and evil in the poem 'Vultures'?
Considers the capability of someone being both loving and evil.
Science: How has the study of genetics been used for both good and bad?
Considers how scientific breakthroughs can be used to support racism but also promote tolerance.
Music: How important was music during the Holocaust?
Considers how music was used to control but also give hope to people during the Holocaust.
Textiles: Why were textiles important during the Holocaust?
Considers how textiles were used it provide an identity but also to dehumanise Jewish people.
https://yarncommunity.org/stories/354
Geography: Why didn't the Jewish people leave?
Considers the capability of Jewish people to leave Europe.
IT: How can we use technology to preserve Holocaust testimonies? Iwitness and The Forever Project
Consider how technology can be used to preserve the past but also how it can distort it.
Citizenship: Did Britain do enough to stop the Holocaust?
Considers the role of Britain during the Holocaust and the capability to make a difference.
PE: How successful was the Berlin Olympics?
Considers the importance of the Berlin Olympics and the achievements but also the failure of countries to recognise the persecution of Jewish people.
Explaining capability
Psychology: Why were people able to commit the crimes of the Holocaust?
Considers various case studies that help to explain why people committed the crimes of the Holocaust.
Remembrance
Art and performing arts: How can art commemorate the Holocaust?
The Kindertransport play and the focus of artwork to commemorate the Holocaust.
IHRA guidelines for teaching the Holocaust:
https://www.holocaustremembrance.com/node/319
46 brief testimonies by Holocaust survivors closely connected with The Holocaust Centre, Beth Shalom. A unique volume covering the whole range of survivors' experiences: concentration and death camps, death marches, ghettos, resistance, hidden children, refugees and Kindertransportees. An invaluable resource for teachers and students alike.
https://www.nationalholocaustcentre.net/Handlers/GetImage.ashx?w=300&h=300&IDMF=2fb82224-0fb0-46e3-b466-46b2da51f7b3&f=1
Resources
Survival
46 brief testimonies by Holocaust survivors closely connected with The Holocaust Centre, Beth Shalom. A unique volume covering the whole range of survivors' experiences: concentration and death camps, death marches, ghettos, resistance, hidden children, refugees and Kindertransportees. An invaluable resource for teachers and students alike.
This can be purchased using the following link:
https://www.nationalholocaustcentre.net/shop/survival-mem1-mem1