Teaching the Holocaust to Elementary Grades

Teaching about the Holocaust and World War II  is difficult because the content is sensitive for young students, and reading materials are often written above their reading levels.

This reading comprehension passage, questions, and accompanying activities are written for students in grades 4-6. These activities can be used as stand-alone lessons or as part of a larger unit on the Holocaust.

This pack includes informational writing prompts and comprehension questions to help students learn more about these topics.

The Holocaust Reading Worksheet

This World History worksheet resource is a nonfiction reading passage based on general information about the Holocaust. It is written for students in grades 3-5. We have included multiple additional activities to help you better align your content to your students’ reading levels. 

Tips for Differentiating Reading Instruction

In addition to independent student work time, use this worksheet as an activity for:

• Guided reading groups 
• Lesson warm-up
• Lesson wrap-up
• Fast finishers 
• Homework assignment
• Whole-class review (via smartboard)

Easily Download & Print Holocaust Lesson Plans

Use the dropdown icon on the Download button to choose between the PDF or Google Slides version of this resource.  Included in your download is:

• Grade Level Reading Passage

• Comprehension Questions

• Facts and Details Sorting Activity

• Holocaust Vocabulary Worksheet

• Holocaust Writing Prompt

Turn this teaching resource into a sustainable activity by printing on cardstock and slipping it into a dry-erase sleeve. Students can record their answers with a whiteboard marker, then erase and reuse them. 

Additionally, project the worksheet onto a screen and work through it as a class by having students record their answers in their notebooks. 

Get more History worksheets to have handy!

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