3 Tips to Consider when Teaching the Holocaust to Middleschoolers

There are a plethora of subjects in education that can be tough for teachers to teach, the Holocaust being one of the most notable. Although it is a world-renowned and incredibly important subject, it can be intimidating for students to learn about and understand, and even more so for teachers that have to educate their students on the topic. This can be even more of a challenge for a younger audience. Luckily, there are ways to navigate the situation easily and make an effective and informative curriculum. Here are three tips to consider when teaching Holocaust to middleschoolers.

1. Connect the History of the Holocaust to Recent History and How It Is Relevant in Today’s Time

Although it can be helpful to illustrate how the Holocaust connects to recent history and today’s events, it’s equally important to note the differences between the unique history of it and what the students can learn from the history to apply to the modern world. If you make the content easier for the students to resonate with, it can be easier for them to have more interest in what’s being taught. This can be accomplished by connecting the info to more relevant experiences that they may be more familiar with.

2. Put Emphasis on the Human Aspect of the Story

Timelines and numbers are important aspects of the history of the Holocaust. However, it could be beneficial to avoid making it the sole focus when teaching about the history. Try to include personal stories, as they can help the students connect on a personal level with what happened. This can also make the lessons more memorable and impactful to them.

3. Avoid Using Overly Graphic Content

It can be tempting to use some first person photographic and or videographic content, though this is a great way of creating a first-person impactful experience, for kids of this age it is important to not use overly disturbing imagery since tis type of content can have the potential to traumatize and trigger students. Don’t shy away from the reality of what happened but also don’t be overly gratuitous with your use of graphic imagery.

For more information, visit ZACHOR Holocaust Curriculum at https://zachorlearn.org.