Holocaust Memorial Day is observed annually on January 27th. This date commemorates the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration and extermination camp by Soviet forces in 1945. It serves as a day of remembrance for the victims of the Holocaust and other genocides, encouraging reflection on the importance of tolerance, understanding, and preventing future atrocities.
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Teaching about the Holocaust can be extremely challenging. Navigating the complexities of historical accuracy while ensuring age-appropriate content can be difficult. It requires careful consideration of students' emotional readiness and maturity.
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However, teaching about the Holocaust is crucial. Educators must enable students to grasp the consequences of discrimination, and intolerance, and emphasize the importance of safeguarding human rights. Teaching about the Holocaust helps to empower students to become informed and engaged global citizens.
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Our fifth and sixth grade specifically designed resources have been created using appropriate language alongside key historical facts. If you are struggling how to approach the teaching of the Holocaust, then please take a look at our close reading activities and informational writing units.
Another route to teach about the Holocaust in fifth and sixth grade is to look at the life of Anne Frank with your students. We have close reading activities, biography writing units and timeline resources, alongside many more educational resources about World War II.
Good luck, and remember you are doing the most important job in the world.
For 1000s more resources check out Creative Primary Literacy!