Lesson Plan 1: Understanding the Final Solution

Objective: Students will understand the historical context and events leading up to the Final Solution.

Materials: - Whiteboard and markers - Handouts with timeline of events leading up to the Final Solution - Video: “The Holocaust: The Final Solution” by History Channel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHQOX8EVNmE)

Introduction (10 minutes): - Begin by asking students what they know about the Holocaust and the Final Solution. - Write down their responses on the whiteboard. - Explain that today’s lesson will focus on understanding the historical context and events leading up to the Final Solution.

Activity 1: Timeline (20 minutes): - Distribute handouts with a timeline of events leading up to the Final Solution. - Ask students to work in pairs or small groups to read through the timeline and identify key events. - After 10 minutes, bring the class back together and ask each group to share one event they found particularly significant.

Activity 2: Video (30 minutes): - Show the video “The Holocaust: The Final Solution” by History Channel. - After the video, ask students to reflect on what they learned and write down any questions they have.

Conclusion (10 minutes): - Ask students to share their questions and discuss them as a class. - Remind students that understanding the historical context and events leading up to the Final Solution is important for their upcoming visit to Auschwitz.

Lesson Plan 2: Processing the Final Solution

Objective: Students will process their emotions and thoughts about the Final Solution and its impact.

Materials: - Whiteboard and markers - Handouts with quotes from survivors of the Holocaust - Cards with different emotions written on them (e.g. anger, sadness, confusion) - Video: “Auschwitz: Drone footage of Nazi concentration camp” by BBC News (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jv0bYPNQJZk)

Introduction (10 minutes): - Begin by reminding students of the upcoming visit to Auschwitz and the importance of processing their emotions and thoughts about the Final Solution. - Explain that today’s lesson will focus on processing these emotions and thoughts.

Activity 1: Quotes (20 minutes): - Distribute handouts with quotes from survivors of the Holocaust. - Ask students to work in pairs or small groups to read through the quotes and discuss their reactions. - After 10 minutes, bring the class back together and ask each group to share one quote that stood out to them.

Activity 2: Emotions (20 minutes): - Distribute cards with different emotions written on them. - Ask students to choose a card that represents how they feel about the Final Solution. - Ask students to work in pairs or small groups to discuss why they chose that emotion and how it relates to the Final Solution. - After 10 minutes, bring the class back together and ask each group to share their discussion.

Activity 3: Video (30 minutes): - Show the video “Auschwitz: Drone footage of Nazi concentration camp” by BBC News. - After the video, ask students to reflect on what they saw and write down any thoughts or emotions that came up.

Conclusion (10 minutes): - Ask students to share their thoughts and emotions and discuss them as a class. - Remind students that processing their emotions and thoughts is an important part of the visit to Auschwitz.