This toolkit provides access to educational materials on the Holocaust and Genocide, including videos, lesson plans, and classroom resources adaptable for virtual or in-person learning.
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Introduction/Purpose
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Rationale
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Professional Learning
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SAS Content Collection
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Noteworthy Resources
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Using Instructional Resources
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Glossary
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Introduction
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This toolkit provides access to educational materials on the Holocaust and Genocide, including videos, lesson plans, and classroom resources adaptable for virtual or in-person learning.
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Purpose
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All materials in this toolkit are cited as vetted resources and are not necessarily a comprehensive collection. Materials cover the Holocaust as well as several other genocides.
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Rationale
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Some 80 years ago, the most catastrophic mass atrocity in modern history took place. Centuries of Jewish life and culture in Europe were almost completely wiped out in just four years. Fueled by antisemitic ideology, the Nazis set out to hunt down, humiliate, persecute, and ultimately murder every Jewish man, woman, and child on the continent.
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Adding the study of the Holocaust and genocide to the social studies curriculum is justified on multiple grounds. The first is simply an historical rationale: students are expected to learn about and understand critical events of the past, and how those events have shaped our world. Studying other genocides leads students to recognize that those horrors were not confined to one episode, and may indeed represent an enduring tendency throughout human history.
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The second justification is a democratic rationale, which recognizes that the Holocaust and episodes of genocide have almost always been projects of the state, and therefore reflect moments of political failure. Some of those failures, including the run-up to the Holocaust, involved efforts to pervert the democratic process. Other genocides—such as the events in Rwanda—demonstrate the danger of weak democracies, authoritarianism, and compromised citizenship. Victim groups in genocide have almost always been declared to be, in some way, unworthy of the inclusion in the body politic and therefore undeserving of the protection of the state. Teaching the Holocaust and genocide shows how democratic institutions and values are not automatically sustained, but need to be appreciated, nurtured, and protected.
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A third justification is the preventative rationale, wherein students learn about possible means of preventing the scourge of genocide. These include international actions, including the concept of humanitarian intervention (including the 2005 policy adopted by the United Nations, which is known as “the responsibility to protect”). Ultimately, the study of the Holocaust and genocide serves as a warning of the dangers of being silent or indifferent to the suffering of others.
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Finally, there is an important commemorative rationale to the study of the Holocaust and genocide. By definition, perpetrators of genocide (including the Nazi regime) sought the erasure of entire identity groups. To study the Holocaust and genocide is to acknowledge the value of those groups, to maintain their vitality, and to honor the memories of those who perished.
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Professional Learning
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Penn State Professional Learning Opportunity
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The Holocaust, Genocide and Human Rights Initiative at Penn State provide professional learning for K-12 educators on the effective instruction of difficult topics such as genocide, racism, or trauma.
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Trauma Informed Practices
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Description: Developed to assist educators with the multilayered challenges of supporting K-12 students, teachers and other school community members who have experienced trauma.
Act 48 Eligible : 6 hours
Registration Link (asynchronous)
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Teaching Difficult Issues
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Designed to assist educators with multilayered challenges of teaching difficult issues.
Act 48 eligible: 6 hours
Registration link (asynchronous)
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SAS Content Collection
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National, state and regional leaders in Holocaust, genocide, and human rights violations education have worked together to assemble a comprehensive listing of vetted resources to support instruction in this complex topic.
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The SAS Collection includes access to curated lessons, libraries, photo galleries, and more.
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Noteworthy Resources
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The following curated websites may assist you in designing robust instruction related to the Holocaust, Genocide, and Human Rights.
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Related Academic Standards
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Resource #1
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The Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History, on Independence Mall in Philadelphia, presents educational programs and experiences that preserve, explore, and celebrate the history of Jews in America. Its purpose is to connect Jews more closely to their heritage and to inspire in people of all backgrounds a greater appreciation for the diversity of the American Jewish experience and the freedoms to which Americans aspire.
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Established in 1976, and situated on Philadelphia’s Independence Mall, the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History is the only museum in the nation dedicated exclusively to exploring and interpreting the American Jewish experience. The Museum was originally founded by the members of historic Congregation Mikveh Israel, which was established in 1740 and known as the “Synagogue of the American Revolution”.
https://theweitzman.org/ -
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8.4.6.A opens in new window
Explain the social, political, cultural, and economic contributions of individuals and groups to world history.
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8.4.6.B opens in new window
Identify and explain the importance of historical documents, artifacts, and sites which are critical to world history.
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8.4.6.C opens in new window
Explain how continuity and change have impacted world history.
- Belief systems and religions
- Commerce and industry
- Technology
- Politics and government
- Physical and human geography
- Social organizations
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8.4.6.D opens in new window
Examine patterns of conflict and cooperation among groups and organizations that impacted the development of the history of the world.
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8.4.7.A opens in new window
Summarize the social, political, cultural, and economic contributions of individuals and groups in world history.
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8.4.7.B opens in new window
Explain the importance of historical documents, artifacts, and sites which are critical to world history.
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8.4.7.C opens in new window
Differentiate how continuity and change have impacted world history.
- Belief systems and religions
- Commerce and industry
- Technology
- Politics and government
- Physical and human geography
- Social organizations
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8.4.7.D opens in new window
Explain how conflict and cooperation among groups and organizations have impacted the history of the world.
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8.4.8.A opens in new window
Compare the role groups and individuals played in the social, political, cultural, and economic development throughout world history.
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8.4.8.B opens in new window
Illustrate how historical documents, artifacts, and sites are critical to world history.
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8.4.8.C opens in new window
Illustrate how continuity and change have impacted world history.
- Belief systems and religions
- Commerce and industry
- Technology
- Politics and government
- Physical and human geography
- Social organizations
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8.4.8.D opens in new window
Compare conflict and cooperation among groups and organizations which have impacted the history and development of the world.
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8.4.9.A opens in new window
Compare the role groups and individuals played in the social, political, cultural, and economic development throughout world history.
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8.4.9.B opens in new window
Contrast the importance of historical documents, artifacts, and sites which are critical to world history.
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8.4.9.C opens in new window
Analyze how continuity and change have impacted world history.
- Belief systems and religions
- Commerce and industry
- Technology
- Politics and government
- Physical and human geography
- Social organization
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8.4.9.D opens in new window
Analyze how conflict and cooperation among groups and organizations have influenced the history and development of the world.
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8.4.12.A opens in new window
Evaluate the role groups and individuals played in the social, political, cultural, and economic development throughout world history.
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8.4.12.B opens in new window
Evaluate the importance of historical documents, artifacts, and sites which are critical to world history.
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8.4.12.C opens in new window
Evaluate how continuity and change have impacted the world today.
- Belief systems and religions
- Commerce and industry
- Technology
- Politics and government
- Physical and human geography
- Social organization
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8.4.12.D opens in new window
Evaluate how conflict and cooperation among groups and organizations have impacted the development of the world today, including its effects on Pennsylvania.
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Resource #2
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The Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute Foundation is the main research hub on the Armenian Genocide. The researchers of the Museum-Institute are working on research topics related to different aspects of the Armenian Genocide, pre-genocidal era and aftermath of genocide. At the same time, they are actively involved in the collection of relevant materials on the Armenian Genocide, organization of exhibitions, etc. The researchers also participate in the Educational Program developed by the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute Foundation, teaching school children and training history teachers.
https://genocide-museum.am/eng/index.php -
The Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute Foundation is dedicated to preserving the memory and legacy of the Armenian Genocide by honoring 1.5 million Armenians who perished during the events at the beginning of the 20th century. The Museum-Institute teaches universal lessons to combat hatred, discrimination, prejudice and apathy. It fulfils its missions through the permanent, temporary and on-line exhibitions, vigorous research in different topics related to the Armenian Genocide, enrichment, preservation, digitalization and interpretation of its collections, through educational programs and other initiatives that raise the awareness of the Armenian Genocide, promote the value of human rights and foster recognition and prevention of genocides.
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8.4.6.A opens in new window
Explain the social, political, cultural, and economic contributions of individuals and groups to world history.
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8.4.6.B opens in new window
Identify and explain the importance of historical documents, artifacts, and sites which are critical to world history.
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8.4.6.C opens in new window
Explain how continuity and change have impacted world history.
- Belief systems and religions
- Commerce and industry
- Technology
- Politics and government
- Physical and human geography
- Social organizations
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8.4.6.D opens in new window
Examine patterns of conflict and cooperation among groups and organizations that impacted the development of the history of the world.
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8.4.7.A opens in new window
Summarize the social, political, cultural, and economic contributions of individuals and groups in world history.
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8.4.7.B opens in new window
Explain the importance of historical documents, artifacts, and sites which are critical to world history.
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8.4.7.C opens in new window
Differentiate how continuity and change have impacted world history.
- Belief systems and religions
- Commerce and industry
- Technology
- Politics and government
- Physical and human geography
- Social organizations
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8.4.7.D opens in new window
Explain how conflict and cooperation among groups and organizations have impacted the history of the world.
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8.4.8.A opens in new window
Compare the role groups and individuals played in the social, political, cultural, and economic development throughout world history.
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8.4.8.B opens in new window
Illustrate how historical documents, artifacts, and sites are critical to world history.
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8.4.8.C opens in new window
Illustrate how continuity and change have impacted world history.
- Belief systems and religions
- Commerce and industry
- Technology
- Politics and government
- Physical and human geography
- Social organizations
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8.4.8.D opens in new window
Compare conflict and cooperation among groups and organizations which have impacted the history and development of the world.
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8.4.9.A opens in new window
Compare the role groups and individuals played in the social, political, cultural, and economic development throughout world history.
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8.4.9.B opens in new window
Contrast the importance of historical documents, artifacts, and sites which are critical to world history.
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8.4.9.C opens in new window
Analyze how continuity and change have impacted world history.
- Belief systems and religions
- Commerce and industry
- Technology
- Politics and government
- Physical and human geography
- Social organization
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8.4.9.D opens in new window
Analyze how conflict and cooperation among groups and organizations have influenced the history and development of the world.
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8.4.12.A opens in new window
Evaluate the role groups and individuals played in the social, political, cultural, and economic development throughout world history.
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8.4.12.B opens in new window
Evaluate the importance of historical documents, artifacts, and sites which are critical to world history.
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8.4.12.C opens in new window
Evaluate how continuity and change have impacted the world today.
- Belief systems and religions
- Commerce and industry
- Technology
- Politics and government
- Physical and human geography
- Social organization
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8.4.12.D opens in new window
Evaluate how conflict and cooperation among groups and organizations have impacted the development of the world today, including its effects on Pennsylvania.
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Resource #3
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The Rohingya have faced decades of discrimination and repression under successive Myanmar authorities. Effectively denied citizenship under the 1982 Citizenship Law, they are one of the largest stateless populations in the world.
About one million Rohingya are currently living in overcrowded camps in Bangladesh, most of whom fled Myanmar in 2017 to escape the military’s crimes against humanity and genocide.
The estimated 600,000 Rohingya who remain in Rakhine State are subject to persecution and violence, confined to camps and villages without freedom of movement, and cut off from access to adequate food, health care, education, and livelihoods.
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On March 21, 2022, following a rigorous factual and legal analysis, the U.S. Secretary of State determined that members of the Burmese military committed genocide and crimes against humanity against Rohingya. Since the Holocaust, the United States has concluded only seven other times that genocide was committed. This determination marks the eighth.
https://www.ushmm.org/genocide-prevention/countries/burma -
Related Academic Standards
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8.4.6.A opens in new window
Explain the social, political, cultural, and economic contributions of individuals and groups to world history.
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8.4.6.B opens in new window
Identify and explain the importance of historical documents, artifacts, and sites which are critical to world history.
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8.4.6.C opens in new window
Explain how continuity and change have impacted world history.
- Belief systems and religions
- Commerce and industry
- Technology
- Politics and government
- Physical and human geography
- Social organizations
-
8.4.6.D opens in new window
Examine patterns of conflict and cooperation among groups and organizations that impacted the development of the history of the world.
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8.4.7.A opens in new window
Summarize the social, political, cultural, and economic contributions of individuals and groups in world history.
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8.4.7.B opens in new window
Explain the importance of historical documents, artifacts, and sites which are critical to world history.
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8.4.7.C opens in new window
Differentiate how continuity and change have impacted world history.
- Belief systems and religions
- Commerce and industry
- Technology
- Politics and government
- Physical and human geography
- Social organizations
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8.4.7.D opens in new window
Explain how conflict and cooperation among groups and organizations have impacted the history of the world.
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8.4.8.A opens in new window
Compare the role groups and individuals played in the social, political, cultural, and economic development throughout world history.
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8.4.8.B opens in new window
Illustrate how historical documents, artifacts, and sites are critical to world history.
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8.4.8.C opens in new window
Illustrate how continuity and change have impacted world history.
- Belief systems and religions
- Commerce and industry
- Technology
- Politics and government
- Physical and human geography
- Social organizations
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8.4.8.D opens in new window
Compare conflict and cooperation among groups and organizations which have impacted the history and development of the world.
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8.4.9.A opens in new window
Compare the role groups and individuals played in the social, political, cultural, and economic development throughout world history.
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8.4.9.B opens in new window
Contrast the importance of historical documents, artifacts, and sites which are critical to world history.
-
8.4.9.C opens in new window
Analyze how continuity and change have impacted world history.
- Belief systems and religions
- Commerce and industry
- Technology
- Politics and government
- Physical and human geography
- Social organization
-
8.4.9.D opens in new window
Analyze how conflict and cooperation among groups and organizations have influenced the history and development of the world.
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8.4.12.A opens in new window
Evaluate the role groups and individuals played in the social, political, cultural, and economic development throughout world history.
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8.4.12.B opens in new window
Evaluate the importance of historical documents, artifacts, and sites which are critical to world history.
-
8.4.12.C opens in new window
Evaluate how continuity and change have impacted the world today.
- Belief systems and religions
- Commerce and industry
- Technology
- Politics and government
- Physical and human geography
- Social organization
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8.4.12.D opens in new window
Evaluate how conflict and cooperation among groups and organizations have impacted the development of the world today, including its effects on Pennsylvania.
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Instructional Resources
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The study of the Holocaust helps us to understand key concepts such as democracy, dictatorship, propaganda, collaboration, resistance, intervention, and genocide. The links below offer recommendations, teaching tips, and approaches to this challenging topic.
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Glossary
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This glossary contains definitions of specific terms related to the Holocaust, Genocide, and Human Rights.
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