CHES is pleased to offer Grade 6 - 8 teachers Social Studies and Holocaust resources, including hands-on lesson plans, to assist with the upgraded curriculum!
Grade 6 – 8 Lesson Plans
2024, April: Hana’s Suitcase, Teachers’ Guide by Second Press modified for the elementary level by Kami Francis and Jessica Sutherland (OCDSB)
Hana’s Suitcase by Karen Levine tells the true story about Hana Brady, a young Jewish girl from Czechoslovakia who lived during the Nazi era. It is a powerful and moving account that sheds light on the human stories during the Holocaust.
2024, January: “#WeRemember: Learn from the Past to Protect the Future, January 27th, International Holocaust Remembrance Day”, prepared by Mina Cohn, Chair of CHES.
In 2005, The United Nations General Assembly designated January 27, the day Allied troops arrived at the gates of Auschwitz-Birkenau, as International Holocaust Remembrance Day (IHRD) . A day to honour the memory of the victims of the Holocaust, and the genocide of European Jews by Nazi Germany between 1941 and 1945.
2024, January: “January 17th: Raoul Wallenberg Day”, by Melany Chaiquin and Jaden Lairson, Woodroffe High School (OCDSB), modified for the Elementary level by by Kami Francis and Jessica Sutherland (OCDSB)
**French powerpoint is available
Raoul Wallenberg was a Swedish diplomat who risked his life to save 100,000 Hungarian Jews during WWII. Following the war’s end many of the survivors he saved moved to Canada, where they began a new life. The Raoul Wallenberg Day lesson plan demonstrates that even in the darkest of times, light can be found in those who seek to do good. Wallenberg was arrested on January 17th, 1945 never to be seen again. In 2001, the Government of Canada designated January 17th, the date of his disappearance, as Raoul Wallenberg Day. While Wallenberg’s fate remains unknown, his actions are an inspiration to our efforts to combat racism, discrimination, and all forms of hate.
Get the lesson plan – January 17th: Raoul Wallenberg Day Overview (pdf)
January 17th: Raoul Wallenberg Day Powerpoint – English (pptx)
January 17th: Raoul Wallenberg Day Powerpoint – French (pptx)
2023, November: Introduction to the Holocaust – New Grade 6 Social Studies Holocaust Curriculum by Alyssa Novick, Ashbury College.
Introduction to the Holocaust was developed to answer the needs for resources for the new grade 6 Social Science Curriculum. It was developed to help teachers acquaint themselves with the topic of Holocaust and introduce their students to the concept of the Holocaust and its historical content. The lesson plan was developed by Alyssa Novick of Ashbury College.
2023, November: Ted’s Story – New Grade 6 Social Science Curriculum by Alyssa Novick, Ashbury College.
Ted’s Story is a lesson plan that was developed to answer the need for resources for Ontario’s new Grade 6 Social Science Curriculum. Based on primary documents provided by Heather Ingberg, Ted’s daughter, and on research conducted by Alyssa Novick of Ashbury College and CHES Chair Mina Cohn, it tells the true story of a seven-year-old boy who survived the Holocaust in hiding and arrived in Canada as part of the War Orphan’s Project. Through Ted’s Story, students will learn about Canada’s refugee policy in the 1920’s, 1930’s, and today, and about the Jewish orphans who were the first Holocaust survivors allowed into Canada after the Holocaust.
2023, May: “It’s Never Okay! Addressing Symbols that are Linked to Hatred and Discrimination”, by Kenra Mroz, modified by Alison Kinahan for Grades 6-7.
Canada, along with the rest of the world, is facing the growth of extremist hate groups, antisemitism, and racism, combined with misinformation and false news on social media. The result is an increasingly significant and negative impact on our younger students who often use Nazi symbols in and outside the school setting without comprehending what such symbols represent.
Get the Lesson Plan – It’s Never Okay, adapted for Gr 6-7 Alison Kinahan (PDF)
2023, August 22: Antiracism Education by Patrick Mascoe (Resources for Grade 6)
The newly mandated Grade 6 Social Sciences curriculum (requires) includes learning about Holocaust and its connection to Canada. This lesson plan introduces students to the Holocaust and provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate an understanding of respect and tolerance towards individuals, groups, and cultures. Students also learn that protecting human rights and taking a stand against racism and other expressions of hatred and discrimination are essential components of responsible citizenship.
The lesson plan had moderate revisions by Kenra Mroz to meet the new 2023 curriculum requirements.
Get the lesson plan – Antiracism Education by Patrick Mascoe. (PDF)
More Coming Soon!
Grade 6 Teachers' Workshops
2023, November 13-14, “Grade 6 Curriculum Teachers’ Workshops”, with Yoni Berrous of Yad Vashem Jerusalem International School, and Marc-Olivier Clouthier of the Azrieli Foundation, hosted by Chair of CHES Mina Cohn, and the Ottawa Carleton District School Board.
Grade 6 Additional Resources
- Azrieli Foundation – The Holocaust Survivor Memoirs Program, Books for Free
- Liberation 75- Virtual Holocaust Library – Challenging Stories Book Club
- Adler, David A. The Number on My Grandfather’s Arm. Good Reads, Amazon
- Batalion, Judy. The Light of Days: The Untold Story of Women Resistance Fighters in Hitler’s Ghettos (Young Reader’s Edition). Publisher, Good Reads, Amazon
- Ben Zvi, Hava. Eva’s Journey: A Young Girl’s True Story. Publisher, Good Reads, Amazon
- Buchignani, Walter. Tell No One Who You Are: The Hidden Childhood of Regine Miller. Publisher, Good Reads, Amazon
- Clark, Kathy. Guardian Angel House. Publisher, Good Reads, Amazon, Author Website
- Clark, Kathy. The Choice. Publisher, Good Reads, Amazon, Author Website
- Dauvillier, Loïc, Greg Salsedo, and Marc Lizano. Hidden: A Child’s Story of the Holocaust. Publisher, Good Reads, Amazon
- Fox, Anne L., Eva Abraham-Podietz. Ten Thousand Children. Publisher, Good Reads, Amazon
- Frank, Anne. Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl. Good Reads, Amazon
- Gelman, Marc. And God Cried, Too. Good Reads, Amazon
- Goldman Rubin, Susan. Fireflies In The Dark: The Story of Fridl Dicker-Brandeis and the Children of Terezin. Good Reads, Amazon
- Greene, Joshua M., Rena Finder. My Survival: A Girl on Schindler’s List. Publisher, Good Reads, Amazon
- Hoestlandt, Jo. Star of Fear, Star of Hope Publisher, Good Reads, Amazon
- Hopkinson, Deborah. We Had To Be Brave. Publisher, Good Reads, Amazon
- Kerr, Judith. When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit. Publisher, Good Reads, Amazon
- Kerensky, Stephen. DK Life Stories, Anne Frank. Publisher, Good Reads, Amazon
- Levine, Karen. Hana’s Suitcase. Publisher, Good Reads, Amazon, Website, Teacher Resource Guide
- Leyson, Leon. with Marilyn J. Harran & Elisabeth B. Leyson. The Boy on the Wooden Box: How the Impossible Became Possible…on Schindler’s List. Publisher, Good Reads, Amazon
- Lowry, Lois. Number the Stars. Publisher, Good Reads, Amazon
- Matas, Carol. Daniel’s Story. Publisher, Good Reads
- Mazzeo, Tilar J., Adapt. Mary Cronk Farrell. Irena’s Children: Young Readers Edition: A True Story of Courage. Publisher, Good Reads, Amazon
- Moskowitz-Sweet, Gloria, Hope Anita Smith. It Rained Warm Bread: Moishe Moskowitz’s Story of Hope. Publisher, Good Reads, Amazon
- Rappaport, Doreen. The Secret Seder. Publisher, Good Reads, Amazon
- Rappaport, Doreen. Beyond Courage: The Untold Story of Jewish Resistance During the Holocaust. Publisher, Good Reads, Amazon
- Roy, Jennifer. Yellow Star. Good Reads, Amazon
- Shackleton , Kath (Editor), Ryan Jones (Designer), Zane Whittingham (Illustrator). Survivors of the Holocaust: True Stories of Six Extraordinary Children. Publisher, Good Reads, Amazon
- Tarshis, Lauren. I Survived the Nazi Invasion, 1944. Publisher, Good Reads, Amazon
- Wiseman, Eva. My Canary Yellow Star. Publisher, Good Reads, Amazon
- Wiseman, Eva. No One Must Know. Publisher, Good Reads, Amazon
- Wiseman, Eva. Kanada. Publisher, Good Reads, Amazon
- Yolen, Jane. The Devil’s Arithmetic. Publisher, Good Reads, Amazon
- Zulo, Allan, Mara Bovsun. Heroes of the Holocaust True Stories of Rescues by Teens. Publisher, Good Reads, Amazon
The White Bird (graphic Novel) by R.J. Palacio. Publisher, Good Reads, Amazon
- Fondation Azrieli – Le Programme des Mémoires de Survivants de L’Holocauste – Livres Gratuits
- Daeninckx, Didier. Trois secrets d’Alexandra. 1: Il faut désobéir 1940-1944, la France sous Vichy. Babelio, Good Reads, Amazon
- Daeninckx, Didier. Trois secrets d’Alexandra. 2: Un Violon dans la nuit la mémoire des camps. Babelio, Good Reads, Amazon
- Dauvillier, Loïc. L’Enfant cachée. Éditeur (English Edition), Babelio, Good Reads, Amazon
- Levine, Karen. La Valise d’Hana. Éditeur, Babelio, Good Reads, Amazon
- Poole, Josephine, adapté de l’œuvre d’Anne Frank. Anne Frank. Éditeur, Babelio, Good Reads, Amazon
- Rapaport, Gilles. Champion. Éditeur, Good Reads, Amazon
- Rapaport, Gilles. Grand-père. Éditeur, Babelio, Good Reads, Amazon
- Suzzoni, Hélène. Simon, l’ami de l’ombre. Babelio, Amazon
- Vander Zee, Ruth, trad. Emmanuelle Pingault. L’Étoile d’Erika. Babelio, Amazon
- CHES Virtual Museum
- Anne Frank House includes numerous free digital resources
- *New* Toronto Holocaust Museum
ADL, USC Shoah Foundation and Yad Vashem
Echoes and Reflections Resources for Upper Elementary Students – Includes Book and Film
United States Holocaust Museum
Guidelines for Teaching About the Holocaust
Montreal Holocaust Museum/ Musée de l’Holocauste Montréal [Resources in French]
5 Tips for Teaching the History of the Holocaust in Elementary School
Musée de l’Holocauste Montréal, Programme Éducatif: La valise d’Hana
11 Tips for Teaching the Holocaust to Middle and High School Students
Study.com
Do you have a great resource to help other teachers?
Share it with us! info@chesatottawa.ca