Should we teach the Holocaust and/or Nazism in the Primary Classroom? Help for my dis

[samuelsmiles03]

Hey,

My name is Sam Munnings and I am in my 2nd year at UWE training to be a primary school teacher. I am specialising in History and doing a bit of research for my dissertation, hope you can all help...

Should we teach the Holocaust and/or Nazism to Primary School pupils?

If you dont mind give a reason for your answer.

You are a legend and thanks for the help.

Sam xxx

[Krafty]

My gut reaction is it should be addressed when you teach WWII/European history, and I'm not sure that should be touched on any earlier than 4th or 5th grade.

There are important social lessons in the history of the Holocaust, and I doubt most children younger than 9 or 10 are emotionally mature enough to grasp those potentially complex concepts and deal with some of the most graphic examples of human mistreatment history has to offer.

I took a great deal of history in college including several German history classes. It is a fascinating subject (at least to me), but it can also be a bit disturbing to many people. I think anything you'd present at the primary level would be rather watered-down, and I have to wonder if that would truly do the subject justice. As a point of reference, The Diary of a Young Girl (Anne Frank) is a 6th grade level book in the Accelerated Reader program, and I would think that book is the first formal exposure to the Holocaust many young people experience.

[sweetsass]

You don't have to post your topic in more than one section of the board.

[Duncan]

I don't believe we need to teach children specifically about the Holocaust, but I DO believe we need to develop a way to teach children about the humaness of all human beings.

[stampeder17]

I think it is a good idea to introduce the holocaust around grade 5 or 6 (depending on the maturity of the class). You do not have to go into the details of the atrocities that happened, but a general introduction is not bad.

A very good book for a grade 6 novel study is Hannah's Suitcase. It is a short read and is suitable for your lower level readers.

[mkreher]

Hannah's Suitcase----who is the author. I love books on the Holocaust.
A great one is called Smoke and Ashes--can't remember the author....but this is not one for the young kids!!! It is a rather long book and is a little graphic. I think it would be great for the teacher as a resource. The teacher should know much more about the topic than what they plan to teach their students......just my opinion.

[stampeder17]

Hannah's Suitcase is written by Karen Levine. I believe it is a Canadian publication. It is a true story about a 13 year girl who did not survive Auschwitz. The story is picked up by a Japanese lady who is setting up a Holocaust museum and the suitcase is sent to her for the display. A group of children and her want to know the story of the owner, which leads them to the discovery of Hannah's brother in Toronto. If you can get a copy of it, do it. Excellent book and suitable for grades 5 and 6.