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Notes for Teachers (2007)

Notes for Teachers: Educational Resources 2007

Holocaust Memorial Day was set up by the government as a specific day to commemorate the victims of the Holocaust and Nazi persecution, and subsequent genocides, and to consider elements of the events which have a resonance for us today. Schools throughout the UK are asked to take part in the day to consider these dark shadows on our history. The assemblies that are included in the education section will assist in that process.

The day provides an opportunity for teachers from all subjects to engage with an historic event that has contemporary relevance for all our lives. The scale and actions of the Holocaust and the Nazi persecution of groups and individuals over a number of years provides an insight into many aspects of human behaviour. Discussion about the ‘how’s’ and ‘why’s’ allows many complex and emotive issues to be raised and discussed, issues that still affect us today. The human stories from that period help to reduce the scale to an understandable story and provide young people with an insight into the minds and experiences of those who suffered, stood by, took part and spoke out.

The issues that can be addressed and explored go beyond the standard curriculum requirement for teaching about the Holocaust as an historical event. Holocaust Memorial Day provides a framework to explore issues of morality, human reactions, individual experiences, responsibilities and larger questions of the role of governments and democracies. These issues are constantly around us today, but by first looking at them through an episode of the past a more objective and ultimately deeper understanding may be gained. HMD is an opportunity to study an historical event and modern issues of citizenship.

Each year for Holocaust Memorial Day a theme is suggested that will help to explore different aspects of the terrible narrative and help to explore their contemporary relevance. This year’s theme paper is entitled ‘The Dignity of Difference’ and, from that, we have devised materials and activities centred around the strap-line ‘Same. But Different’. This theme enables us to focus on the fundamental evil at the heart of all genocides – the idea that some groups of people are not merely inferior but should be wiped out. In the Rwandan genocide, for example, Hutus were encouraged to think of Tutsis as ‘cockroaches’ rather than fellow Rwandans or even fellow human beings. It offers opportunities to think about ways in which we can and do value diversity within our society.

Educational resources have been created specifically to approach the Day both through Holocaust Memorial Day in its simplest form and through this year’s theme. The resources centre around individual stories which illustrate aspects of the theme. Hannah Hickman’s story, for example, ‘Let One Go Free’, describes discrimination at the ridiculous level of which child is allowed to play out of doors. Kemal Pervanic’s experience highlights how he and his guards, victim and perpetrators, were in so many respects ‘the same’;. The individual stories provide case studies aimed at Key stages 2, 3 and 4, which can be then used as a base for classroom activities and assemblies. The individual stories provide direct insight into personal experiences, helping young people to grasp complex issues of scale and significantly the relationship we all have to our own actions or inactions.

Included with the case studies are classroom activities for the National Curriculum’s of Citizenship, History and RE.

The materials address the requirement of Citizenship for pupils to be able to ‘reflect upon and discuss topical, spiritual, moral, social and cultural issues, problems and events’. In addition the materials will help pupils to consider the legal and human rights and responsibilities underpinning society and how they relate to those responsibilities. They bring to life the concept underpinning citizenship of rights and responsibilities.

The stories of those who experienced Nazi persecution are suitable for Key Stage 3 History.

In the section for RE there are opportunities in the materials to explore those issues and factual events outlined in the recently introduced framework.

In addition to the classroom exercises the materials include prepared assembly ideas. To get the full advantage for these it may be advisable to ask a group of students to present the assembly.

Assemblies available for Key Stage 2 pupils do not address the full horror of the Holocaust in its detail, but do introduce the idea a dignity in difference.
The resources for 2007 comprise:

A range of Case Studies. These are aimed at KS3 but do differ and can be used with older or younger pupils as appropriate. They provide the source material for the following:
KS3 worksheet
KS2 worksheet using one of the Case Studies
KS4 & Post 16 discussion sheet
KS3 Lesson plan for R.E.
KS3 Lesson plan for Citizenship.
2 secondary and 1 primary assembly

If you have any comments or feed back on the resources please contact: enquiries@hmd.org.uk or 0845 838 1883.

• Notes for teachers (pdf)