Holocaust Lesson Plans for Elementary and Middle School

Teaching about the Holocaust is difficult for teachers and students alike. For teachers, it can be difficult to find engaging and appropriate materials for students who may not yet have the background knowledge or maturity to handle the sensitive content. For students, it can be challenging to learn about a topic that is so far removed from their own lives.

Stunningly designed, this slide deck is an effective resource for teachers who want to reveal and discuss the Holocaust and WW2 with their students and help them engage with some of its most difficult topics. The slide deck and additional downloadable resources in our library incorporate historical photos and information featuring images that help students understand the truth about what happened.

Why Did the Holocaust Happen? Teaching from Start to Finish

In this instructional slide deck, we will take you through an introduction to Hitler’s rise to power and the persecution of the Jewish people. The slides include:

• historical images
• reference materials
• interactive content
• and checks for understanding

 With this resource, you’ll be able to teach your students in an age-appropriate manner while giving them a deeper understanding of one of history’s darkest periods.

Tips for Differentiation + Scaffolding 

A dedicated, experienced educator team created this resource to support your World History lessons. 

If you have a mixture of above and below-level learners, check out these suggestions for keeping students on track with the concepts: 

🆘 Support Struggling Students

Help students who need help understanding the concepts by teaching the content in short, 15-minute chunks, followed by a period of discussion and note-taking.

Additionally, provide access to previous assignments and Holocaust posters, and anchor charts for students to recall past lessons.

➕ Challenge Fast Finishers

The slides can be used in conjunction with a variety of books and other resources, including but not limited to the following:

– The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank

– Night by Elie Wiesel

– Number the Stars by Lois Lowry

Plan lessons for all ability levels with our 10 Best Scaffolding Strategies! 

Easily Prepare This Resource for Your Students

Use the Download button to download the Google Slides version of this resource.

Once you download, put the slideshow into presentation mode and start teaching.

This resource was created by Ali Endlich, a teacher in South Carolina and a Teach Starter Collaborator.