Investigating Human Behavior

Subject: Social Studies

Grade Levels: 9 through 12

Objectives:

• to introduce the study of the Holocaust and learn about human behavior such as prejudice and discrimination
• to discuss and evaluate stereotype and prejudice Sunshine State Standards:
  • Grades 9-12
    • SS.A.1.4.3, 3.4.9, 5.4.5
    • SS.C.1.4.1, 2.4.3
  View all Sunshine State Standards

  Materials: all materials are available through the Florida Holocaust Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida

  1. Never to Forget, Why Remember? Milton Meltzer
  2. Ecidujerp, Prejudice by Irene Gersten and Betsy Bliss
  3. Eye of the Storm, video
  4. Facing History and Ourselves Resource Guide
  5. Participating in Democracy: Choosing to Make a Difference, Facing History and Ourselves
  6. Flash! Activity

  Procedure:

  1. Students will create a Me Identity Chart, then share and discuss in small and large groupS. See Participating In Democracy: Choosing to Make a Difference, Facing History and Ourselves (p15-17)
  2. Discuss the roots of the Holocaust.
  3. Investigate behaviors that can be observed around the community.
  4. Explain the stages of prejudice: Discrimination, Isolation, Persecution, Dehumanization, Violence, Genocide.
  5. Discuss the isolation of the victims: Stars, Triangles, and Markings- read and discuss. Use the appropriate teaching poster to identify the different identification patches worn by the victim groups.
  6. Flash! Research headlines in US newspapers from 1933-1945. These can be accessed through Microfiche at any library. Discuss what was known and when it was known. Not all headlines will appear on the front pages.
  7. Conduct a newspaper search to see who knew what when. Use microfiche to locate information. Discuss where it was found in the newspaper and when it was found. Research world, national and local responses. Share and create a poster or project that informs.
  8. Discuss the reading: Prejudice and Never to Forget. Write down characteristics of each of the following groups: African-Americans, Jews, rich people, Japanese, Hispanics, athletes, obese people, old people. Have students work in groups. List attributes for each group.
  9. "Little Things Are Big" Choosing To Participate, Facing History and Ourselves (p.5-7), (p. 14-15) Read, discuss and complete connections
  10. View the video Eye of the Storm and following its showing have students discuss the relationship between prejudice and stereotypes. Ask students to discuss how prejudice and discrimination are not only harmful to the victim, but also to those who utilize these practices.
  11. Have students discuss prejudice and scapegoating explaining their damage to society.

A Teacher's Guide to the Holocaust
Produced by the Florida Center for Instructional Technology,
College of Education, University of South Florida ©2000.