I’m not sure if this post belongs here – I have a suspicion that I’ve misplaced my posts today, and that this one should be on this site, and vice-versa, but whatever.
I knew that this was going to be an intense experience, and I’ve not been disappointed. My brain is absolutely swimming in thinking and conjecture and planning and designing and trying to figure out ways that I can use this experience – all this knowledge and all these resources and all these wonderful people I’ve met – to its best use in both my personal and professional life.
I know for sure that I’m going to start by inviting Thomas Weisshaus to come and speak at TCC. He is a survivor of the Shoah – he was rescued from Budapest by Raoul Wallenberg – and he lives in my general neighborhood. I will also make efforts to stay in touch with Martin Rumscheidt and Ernie Michel, two of the guest speakers to the institute who made a profound impression on me. Finally, I’m going to get in touch with some people on the campus of Local U. to see what I can do about getting a satellite or sister program set up in my area; at the very least, I’d like to work with my roommate to get a film and speaker series set up in our neighborhood so people don’t have to trek all the way across the state to have access to this wonderful and important work.
I do know for sure that I’m going to start thinking about ways in to the Shoah for my children. I’ve got a copy of The Diary of Anne Frank – I’m going to pick up another at the used book store – and I think that the girls and I will read it together this summer. After Beanie’s experience with the swastika in her classroom, and the rudimentary way my daughters were able to speak about the Shoah, I feel I’ve been a little remiss in my work in teaching them about this important part of our collective history.
I suppose, though, that I should be happy they know ANYTHING about it – I was able to see Ken Burns speak about his experience in creating and filming The War, and he told us that something like 85% of graduating high school seniors think we fought WWII with the Germans against the Soviets (I’m sorry, but I can’t site that statistic). That my children, at 9 and 11, know more than that is modest reason to be pleased, I guess, but it’s not enough for me.
I’m going to be circling around this experience for weeks, perhaps months (perhaps forever) after this fellowship ends. Halfway through it, though, my thoughts are focused on how much this is reinforcing my need – my commitment and drive – to work on issues of social justice and acceptance in my community. I can’t save the world, but I can certainly help to make my little corner of it a safer and more tolerant place. What’s that saying? Let there be peace, and let it begin with me? I accept that responsibility, and I’ll continue to do all I can to live up to it.
All I can think of to say is “Thanks.”
You’ve inspired me! I was thinking about this very thing, that my children do not know much. I am getting them books. One that I heard of for young readers their age is Number the Stars.
Seester, Number the Stars is a good way in, I think – Punkin’ read it last fall. It’s about escape and resistance, and it has a nice balance of fear and reality with a (mostly) happy ending.
I wish I lived closer to Holocaust survivors. They don’t often travel this far north anymore. To see them as elderly surprises me, I don’t know why I expect them to age differently. But their memories are still crystal clear.
Check the National Holocaust Museum’s list of literature for school-age children, too, they have some impressive resources.
I think there are several appropriate novels for kids to read about the Holocaust.
Another interesting experience-last summer my book group read “Night”, by Elie Wiesel. One of our members is half German, her mother came over after the war. Her grandfather from Germany happened to be visiting at the time and came along as a special guest. He had actually been a German soldier, but was quick to point out that he was not a Nazi. He then worked after the war in some sort of war reparations. 60 years later, he was still very emotional about the war.
Mrs. T, one of the presenters told us that nearly ALL of us who teach Night teach it, in her words, inappropriately. I’m going to take the workshop about teaching the novel that’s being offered at this center in November; I’ll share what I learn.
Oh, You GUYS! Let’s not forget about Maus!
I just wanted to let you know that I’m working on curriculum for my 6th graders that will coincide with the Ladder of Prejudice. My 4th quarter will be spent on the Shoah/Holocaust specifically (mostly because it’s when I’m allowed the most freedom on my pacing guide to teach something with such depth).
The books I’ve chosen are appropriate for ages 9 to 12 according to Amazon.
I want to read with the Chili kids and we can all have a discussion together!
Auntie, do you have a copy of the book? If not, let me know and I’ll pick one up for you, too.