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RESOURCE OVERVIEW
EDUCATOR RESOURCE: TEACHING ABOUT GENOCIDE
EDUCATOR RESOURCE: TEACHING ABOUT GENOCIDE
As students study the Holocaust, they frequently—and understandably—struggle with understanding not only how the Holocaust was able to happen, but also why and how genocide continues to occur in the world, and what has been, and can be, done to prevent such atrocities from occurring.

This multipart resource is intended to help teachers support students’ understanding of genocide in the context of their Holocaust education.

Why is it valuable to teach about genocide in the context of learning about the Holocaust?

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The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) provides a helpful rationale[1] that has informed the creation of this resource:

•   The Holocaust is often considered to have given rise to our conceptualization of the term "genocide," which was coined during the Second World War, in large measure as a response to the crimes of the Nazis and their collaborators. Therefore the Holocaust can be an effective starting point and the foundation for studying genocide.

•   Students can sharpen their understanding not only of similarities between events but also of key differences. In so doing, it may be an opportunity to better understand the particular historical significance of the Holocaust, and how study of the Holocaust may contribute to our understanding of other genocidal events.

•   Students can identify common patterns and processes in the development of genocidal situations. Through the understanding of a genocidal process and by identifying stages and warning signs in this process, a contribution can hopefully be made to prevent future genocides.

•   Students can appreciate the significance of the Holocaust in the development of international law, establishment of tribunals, and attempts by the international community to respond to genocide in the modern world.

•   Students can gain awareness of the potential danger for other genocides and crimes against humanity that existed prior to the Holocaust and continue to the present day. This may strengthen an awareness of their own roles and responsibilities in the global community.

[1] "Education Working Group Paper on the Holocaust and Other Genocides" (2010)



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WHAT IS GENOCIDE?


The most important first step is to define genocide. This video provides an overview of the legal definition of genocide, some historical examples and testimonies, and reasons why the study of genocide is relevant to students today.

 

WATCH
WHAT IS GENOCIDE?
HOW TO USE THIS RESOURCE
These materials are intended to give teachers a framework to teach about genocide in the context of their Holocaust education preparation and teaching. Resources include:
1 Glossary of Essential Terms: This resource includes definitions of essential terms to help frame an introduction to genocide, providing students with language to discuss complex issues associated with genocide. Many of these terms are also found in the Audio Glossary.
2 Examining the Stages of Genocide: The framework for this resource is Gregory Stanton’s “10 Stages of Genocide.” Each stage is defined, and accompanied by 2-3 testimony clips that illustrate each stage as it occurred in different genocides. Also included are “preventive measures” alongside the definition of each stage of genocide so students can see potential positive actions, as well as guiding questions to support learning and understanding.
3 Additional Resources: These resources are separated into three categories: resources for activism, resources for further study of genocide, and resources to learn more about specific cases of genocide. Note that what one defines as genocide can be highly controversial. The case studies included here are not meant to be a definitive list; rather, they are drawn from the testimonies in USC Shoah Foundation – the Institute for Visual History and Education’s archive.

Additional Considerations
• A central tenant of the Echoes & Reflections methodology is the use of primary source materials, which we have provided in the form of visual history testimonies. Learn more about the Echoes & Reflections pedagogy here.
• To help guide lesson planning, consult Using Visual History in the Classroom, which provides guidance on effective classroom use of testimony.
• Teachers seeking a more comprehensive study of genocide through testimony are encouraged to explore full testimonies and other teaching materials available in IWitness.
• One of the biggest challenges in teaching about genocide is the upsetting nature of the material. As this is meant to be an introductory resource, the testimony clips included here avoid some of the most graphic descriptions of genocide.
GLOSSARY OF ESSENTIAL TERMS
This resource includes definitions of essential terms to help frame an introduction to genocide, providing students with language to discuss complex issues associated with genocide. Many of these terms are also found in the Audio Glossary.
EXAMINING THE STAGES OF GENOCIDE

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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
PROGRAMS FOR EDUCATORS: ON-DEMAND WEBINARS
ON-DEMAND WEBINARS
Explore our brief learning videos, produced by ADL, USC Shoah Foundation, and Yad Vashem. Each of these standalone videos is designed to help both new and experienced Echoes & Reflections educators learn new skills and approaches to Holocaust education. Before viewing any on-demand webinar, educators will be prompted to register with Echoes & Reflections.

Looking for a full Echoes & Reflections online professional development experience? Enroll in our online course.

Safely In, Safely Out: Where to Begin Your Holocaust Lessons
Classroom teacher Jen Goss highlights key foundational approaches to ensure a meaningful and safe Holocaust education experience for your middle and high school students. (Length: 13 minutes)


The Power of Personal Narratives
Experienced English/Language Arts teacher Sherry Bard highlights poetry, diary entries, and visual history testimonies found in Echoes & Reflections, and discusses best practices to help students connect to these emotional and profound sources. (Length: 15 minutes)


Teaching Holocaust History with Photos
Promote your students’ inquiry and investigation skills using photographs found in Echoes & Reflections, and discover ways to connect them to your Holocaust lessons, with guidance and guidelines from senior facilitator, Esther Hurh. (Length: 13 minutes)


Why the Jews?
In an interview with Echoes & Reflections Project Director at Yad Vashem, Sheryl Ochayon, Holocaust expert Dr. Rob Rozett discusses the history of antisemitism and persecution of Jews in Europe as a prelude to Nazi persecution.


    ADVANCED LEARNING PROGRAMS
    ADVANCED LEARNING PROGRAMS


    Echoes & Reflections offers two outstanding international advanced learning programs for educators who are seeking to deepen their learning and understanding of the Holocaust and strengthen their knowledge and skills to effectively teach this history to their students. These programs are open to U.S. middle and high school teachers who are actively teaching with Echoes & Reflections in their classrooms.

    ECHOES & REFLECTIONS ADVANCED LEARNING SEMINAR AT YAD VASHEM, JERUSALEM, ISRAEL
    ECHOES & REFLECTIONS EDUCATIONAL JOURNEY THROUGH POLAND WITH YAD VASHEM


    EDUCATOR RESOURCE: VIDEO TOOLBOX
    VIDEO TOOLBOX


    STUDENTS' TOUGHEST QUESTIONS
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