Holocaust Experiences: Exploring Point-of-View Assignment

 
The Holocaust, or the Shoah, is one of the most tragic and complex events of the 20^th century. By 1945, approximately 6 million Jewish people were imprisoned and murdered by the Nazi Germany regime. This left deep scars on the cultural and historical memory of the global Jewish community, and the broader world. As we explore point-of-view in literary texts, we will also consider how people experienced the Holocaust differently.
As engaged citizens in our communities, and in the world, we have a responsibility to educate ourselves about phenomenons such as the Holocaust. This is a very difficult topic, and therefore must be treated with sensitivity.
In groups of 3 or 4, you will be given an identification card of a real person who was affected by the Holocaust, some of whom unfortunately did not survive. The identification cards have brief summaries about that individual’s life.
 
Objectives:
1)     In a group, demonstrate your understanding of points-of-view by researching and creating four mini-projects on an individual’s experience during the Holocaust. The final product will be a class presentation of four different points-of-view of one individual’s experience during the Holocaust.
2)     Understand that the Holocaust is made up of millions of individual experiences, all of which have a rich and complicated history.
 
Assignment
1)  Each member of the group must produce a short individual creative piece, using point-of-view, about their “Holocaust Experience” person’s experience. Every group member must produce their piece from a different point-of-view: first person, 3^rd person omniscient, 3^rd person limited, and unreliable narrator.
                                                        i.     For example, someone could write about a newspaper article in 3^rd person limited. Someone else could do a poem in 1^st person.
 
2) Conduct background research about the events of the Holocaust, based on your “Holocaust Experience” ID card. For example, if your “Holocaust Experience” individual hid in Dresden during the war, do a bit of research about Dresden during the war.
                                                        i.     You do NOT have to do research on every piece of information contained in your “Holocaust Experience” ID card. Focus on 2 or 3 facts.
 
3) Every group member must do their own work for their chosen point-of-view, but you will upload all of your work to the same corresponding page on the project blog. Your group presentation will be a teaching tool to your other classmates.
 
4)  You are strongly encouraged to present your individual projects in non-standard methods. Eg. You could write a blog post, a newspaper article, a diary entry, a spoken word piece, a poem, a song, a piece of artwork etc.

5) You will be required to upload your assignment to the corresponding page on the project blog. If you do a physical piece, such as a song or piece of artwork, please record it in a medium that can be uploaded (e.g. an audio recording, or a series of photographs).


What You Need to Include
 
1)     Research: Did you…
a.     Use at least 2-3 sources per person in your group? (You may use all online sources, such as websites) http://www.ushmm.org/learn/students - this is a very good place to start.
b.     Make sure you used valid, academic, unbiased sources? (not Wikipedia) Ask if you are uncertain.
 
2)     Factual Content: Did you…
a.     Include 10-15 pieces of factual evidence in EACH mini-project? Such as significant dates, events, policies, locations etc.
b.     Expand on potentially unclear “facts”, such explaining why a date is significant?
c.     Make sure all of your facts are from your research or class notes?
d.     Make sure you could show your teacher where you found your facts?
 
3)     Point of View: Did you…
a.     Consider how your “Holocaust Experience” person’s story was communicated differently through each point-of-view?
b.     Make it very clear which point-of-view your mini-project used?
c.     Make sure your point-of-view was different from every other member of your group?
 
4)     Creative Presentation: Did you…
a.     Choose a medium/format that you find really interesting?
b.     Choose a medium/format that is useful in communicating your point of view?
                                               i.     Eg if you did a first person point-of-view, a front-page newspaper article may not be the best choice.