Unit+Resources


 * Foundational Unit Texts **

Title **Night** ISBN: **0-374-50001-0** Author **Elie Wiesel** Publisher **Hill and Wang** Copyright Date **1958** Genre **Historical Memoir**

Transylvania, a quiet uneventful corner of the world where nothing ever happened. That all changed when the Germans came to cleanse the area of its Jewish inhabitants. Like indestructible adolescents, Elie’s people ignored the warnings of the impending doom. Then the Nazis appeared, imposed new laws, created ghettos, and finally evacuated all Sighet Jews to concentration camps as had been the Nazi plan all along. The Wiesels entered the camps as a family and exited two years later in the form of a single 15 year old skeleton.
 * Annotation: **

Night is Elie’s memoir, but also the story of six and a half million other Jewish victims of the Nazi hate machine that attempted genocide of the Jewish people along with removal of Roma Gypsies, homosexuals, the disabled, and people of color. During World War II while the world watched, Hitler and the Nazi regime created a living hell that acted as free labor for their war machine out to take over the world. Wiesel’s account of his time in Auschwitz is frightening and necessary. It is shameful that the world did not intervene on the behalf of these helpless souls. Records of Hitler’s hate, our disregard, and their suffering will assist in reminding us of our responsibility to what is right, the world, and those living in it.

Imagine waking up one day to find that the world is not as you thought. Your parents, who you rely on for safety and comfort, can do nothing to protect you from the Boogie man that has arrived this time. You are attacked, your family is attacked and killed, and you find yourself too weak to simply quit and die with them. Though it seems odd to consider your drive to live a weak that is exactly how you see it. You are tortured and abused while the world stands by and watches. You become a number, much like the tattoo on your arm. They will not step in and save you, not even the strong Americans who claim all men are created equal. They do not see you and the six million standing next to you, not until it is far too late. Though you live with the nightmare of your life, the rest of the world will live with the shame of it.
 * Book Talk**

Pg. 24-paragraph 5 through all of page 26. This section describes Elie’s trip to Auschwitz. Crammed in to cattle cars with only room to stand, a woman begins to rave about flames scaring the others who respond to her with no compassion. (Foreshadowing of the reduction of their humanity).
 * Read Aloud Sections:**

Pg. 59-paragraph 3 through Pg. 60-paragraph5. This section describes the inmates mixed emotions about a bombing near the camp. They were happy to see the war taking its toll against the Germans, but knew it put them at risk after having fought so hard to stay alive.

//Pre Reading// What warrants taking another human life? Explain. What is America’s responsibility to the rest of the world when it comes to matters of human rights?
 * Discussion/Journal Questions**

//First 1/3 of book// Why didn’t the Jews of Sighet heed the warning of Moshe the Beadle? Why were Elie’s family and the other Jews so gullible?

//Second1/3 of book// What is the most precious possession you have and why? Why did the Germans chose the foul names they did to call the Jews? The numbers tattoos served to do more than simply keep track of the camp inmates, what effect did the tattoos have on the Jews?

//Third 1/3 of book// During WWII, America too had internment camps. (Picture Book-So Far From the Sea) Why were we so appalled at the German concentration camps but thought our camps were o.k.? What should we (USA) have done about the Holocaust when it began? Why was that our responsibility?

//Post Reading// How are we better as a society since the Holocaust occurred? What more do we have to do? Why is it important to remember this event in our history? What events of genocide are being conducted in the world today? What action do you think Elie Wiesel hoped his reader would take after reading Night?

Holocaust-death by fire; a thorough destruction involving extensive loss of life especially through fire. Selection-a process used by Nazis to choose concentration camp inmates who appeared strongest to use for forced labor. Those not selected were killed. Prophet-a person who can see the future or delivers divine messages foretelling the future. Synagogue-Jewish temple of worship. Jews-a group of people who observe the Jewish religion. Hitler-one time Chancellor of Germany, leader of the Nazi party Crematories-a facility used to dispose of dead bodies by burning them to ash. Genocide- the deliberate and systematic destruction of a racial, political, or cultural group Allied Forces-combined forces from various nations that fought against the Germans in WWII WWII-acronym for World War II Evacuation-to withdraw in an organized fashion Faith-firm belief in something for which there is no proof.
 * Vocabulary/Language**

Additional vocabulary information can be found under the Student Activities tab.


 * Title** The Devil’s Arithmetic
 * ISBN:** 0-590-96578-6
 * Author** Jane Yolen
 * Publisher** Scholastic, Inc.
 * Copyright Date** 1988
 * Genre** Historical Fiction


 * Annotation:**

Hannah is a typical modern day American teenager. She lives for the mall, boys, and her friends, seeing little to no importance in anything else. She is forced to participate in family and religious events which she treats with disdain. She is on a path bent for destruction, when all control is taken from her. Thrown back in time to the youth of her elderly relatives, she comes face to face with the horrors they survived as victims of the Holocaust. This first hand experience gives Hannah a new perspective of those who surround her, forcing her to recognize their strength physically, emotionally, mentally, and in their faith.

Hannah wakes up to find that in the present she has been unconscious, passed out from too much wine at dinner. To her, the reality is very different. Having lived and died during the Holocaust, she now has knowledge that had been withheld from her before because her elders thought it might be too painful for her to handle and them to relive. The Devil’s Arithmetic is an excellent illustration of how our society, for all its benefits, has lost sight of much of what is important in the world. It reminds us that there is a high price to pay for complacency and that we are not always paying from our own account.


 * Book Talk:**

Not another family event! You know the one with the crazy uncles that always want to corner you with boring stories of their childhood. Then there are the aunts. They aren’t much better, always looking at you like you are nothing more than a fragile flower, weak like they were in their youth. The final touch is all the other adults, not of senile age, that act like the whole event could be the last…almost like their hiding a secret that could bring it all crashing down. Nothing could wreck this nightmare…or could it? What if these people are all part of a bigger puzzle, a bigger story? How could what they want so badly to talk about in some cases, and as badly avoid in others end life as we know it? When history begins to unfold, it doesn’t change for anyone, no matter how painful it may be. Before you discount the stories of the past, you should consider how they could help you in the future. If we ignore our history because it doesn’t seem exciting to us at the moment, we are doomed to repeat it. Some things should never happen again….some should never have happened even once. We must remember.


 * Read Aloud Sections:**

Pg. 3 through Pg. 4. This section describes Hannah’s desire to let the past lie. She sees no value in the religious family gathering even though her parents remind her of the great loss to which it is associated.

Pg. 96-beginning of page through Pg. 100-the last full paragraph. This section describes the brutal admission to the concentration camp.


 * Discussion/Journal Questions**

//Pre Reading// What family traditions drive you crazy and why? Where did these traditions originate? Why do you think they might be important to the other people in your family?

//First 1/3 of book// What would you do if you found yourself in Hannah’s situation, thrown into the past? What events from the past are you aware of that you find important? //Second1/3 of book// What would you do if you found yourself in Hannah’s situation, thrown into the past? What events from the past are you aware of that you find important?

//Third 1/3 of book// Why were the Rabbi’s wife and daughters really removed from the women’s barracks? Why did Hannah have a renewed respect for her history when she returned to the present? Tell about a time when you have experienced something that changed the way you felt about something/someone.should we (USA) have done about the Holocaust when it began? Why was that our responsibility?

//Post Reading// Why was faith such a driving force for many who survived the Holocaust? Why is freedom to express your chosen faith worth fighting for??


 * Vocabulary/Language**

Passover-Jewish holiday celebrating the Jew’s release from slavery. Seder-a commemorative dinner held during the Passover celebration to remember the Egypt exodus. Concentration Camp-a prison camp constructed during WWII by the Germans to house select prisoners for forced labor and being put to death. Synagogue-Jewish temple of worship. Jews-a group of people who observe the Jewish religion. Hitler-one time Chancellor of Germany, leader of the Nazi party Holocaust- a thorough destruction involving extensive loss of life especially through fire.


 * Supporting Resources**


 * The following resources are presented in various types of media and should be used in conjunction with the text readings. Where a suggested reading schedule is offered, it should be understood that this represents the number of days needed to complete the physical reading. This part of the unit may extend beyond 7 days with the integration of the following materials for support. **

It is strongly recommended that these materials are teacher previewed prior to classroom use.

__**The Auschwitz Album (photographic documentary)**__ This documentary (provided by Yad Hashem) includes photographic records of arrivals at Auschwitz, "shower" preparations, and liberation. A brief spoken explanation and captions accompanies pictures. This resource provides students with a visual point of reference to much of the material examined in other resources of this unit. []

Documentary presenting the return to Auschwitz by two Holocaust survivors. Includes discussion by young people of the events of WWII and the Holocaust event. Themes: prejudice, intolerance, and violence. Moore Foundation c/o Martin J. Moore 8469 Bay Point Drive Indianapolis, IN 46240 (317) 848-5134 [|www.impactamericanow.org]
 * __Auschwitz: If You Cried, You Died (2007____)__-**

__**The Boy in the Striped Pajamas: Classroom Edition (movie) (2008)**__ - A Disney Educational Production of the novel by the same name. Comes with access to a downloadable educator's guide, activities, and resources. Excellent for use in the section which considers children of the Holocaust and in examination of the roles of perpetrator, victim, and bystander. [|www.DisneyEducation.com]

This is the story of two little girls who become friends. One is Jewish and being hidden in the basement and the other lives in the house, initially unaware of those living secretly in her home. When their friendship is discovered, it is questioned and criticized to their amazement. Used in the unit section entitled Children of the Holocaust.
 * __The Butterfly by Patricia Polacco (Picture Book) (2009)__ -**
 * ISBN: 978-0142413067**

A Showtime movie adaptation of the above listed text starring Kirsten Dunst and including and introduction by Dustin Hoffman. This resource offers students a supporting visual text. The storyline, though altered for movie media, is relatively reflective of the traditional book text.
 * __The Devil's Arithmetic (movie) (1999)__ -**

This text gives historical background on the Jewish community, antisemitism and how it contributed to the Holocaust of WWII. This work also gives voice to the stories of survivors regarding their experiences and the impact it's had on their lives beyond the event. Excellent source of foundational information and for use in the introduction of this unit.
 * __Holocaust: The Events and Their Impact on Real People__ (Information Text) (2007)** -
 * ISBN: 978-0-75662-535-1**

Collection of poems and drawings created by children of the Holocaust while housed in Terezin Concentration Camp. 15,000 children were housed in this camp with only 100 surviving. These works express their hopes, fears, and realities. Used in the unit section entitled Children of the Holocaust.
 * __I Never Saw Another Butterfly__ by Hannah Volavkova (2-3 days)-**
 * ISBN: 978-0805210156**

__**Paper Clips: Educational Version (documentary) (2003)**__ - A documentary reporting the results of a Holocaust study conducted by middle school students attending Whitwell Middle School in Tennessee. Illustrates social agency and activism by students and is helpful in setting up the final project of this unit. The educational version of this documentary comes with a teacher guides, activities, and assessments.

__**Resistance during the Holocaust (Pamphlet) USHMM**__ This is a 58 page pamphlet that outlines many acts of resistance to Nazi Antisemitism and terror. Teachers should preview all material in this pamphlet as there are graphic photographs of events that occurred during the Holocaust. []

This is the story of a Japanese-American family who recalls how the events of WWII impacted their family. This text considers American Internment camps and is used in evaluating America's position and action within WWII and the Holocaust. Used during the reading of the foundational texts when exploring the idea of labor and concentration camps. Also useful in answering the student question, "why didn't we do anything to stop it?"
 * __So Far from the Sea by Eve Bunting (Picture Book) (1998)__ -**
 * ISBN: 0-395-72095-8**

[]
 * __Virtual Tour of Auschwitz/Birkenau Concentration Camp__**

The above link provides virtual access to the Auschwitz/Birkenau Concentration Camp. This camp is now a memorial park and presents in a manner that is suitable to adolescents. Rotating, strategically placed camera allow numerous views of important points in the camp. Each area viewed is accompanied by written explanations of what is being viewed and the uses of each section during the Holocaust.