"First They Came" is all about how the poet stood by and watched the mistreatment of others and did nothing about it. Eventually, when he was being mistreated, there was no one to stand up for him. Although this poem was written a long time ago, this type of action, or inaction, is still very relevant in the lives of children as they navigate growing up and relationships. For this activity, students will think of a present day example of this inaction, and create a 3 cell storyboard describing and illustrating their example. They can choose a personal example, or something from current events.
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Identify, describe, and illustrate a situation where one might stay silent, and then fall victim to what they were silent about.
Student Instructions:
Start a conversation by asking students how they feel when they see someone being treated unfairly. Encourage honest responses to build trust and set the tone for meaningful dialogue.
Invite students to share times they've witnessed or experienced inaction. Relate these stories to the poem’s message to deepen understanding and empathy.
Demonstrate active listening by paraphrasing student comments and asking thoughtful follow-ups. Show that every voice matters to foster a safe discussion environment.
Ask students to suggest ways to support others when they witness unfair treatment. Highlight practical ideas they can use in real-life situations.
Have students write a quick response about one thing they learned or a new way they might act in the future. This reinforces learning and personal commitment.
"First They Came" teaches the importance of speaking up against injustice. Students can relate by reflecting on times when they or others stayed silent about unfair treatment, showing how inaction can eventually affect everyone.
Use activities like creating a 3-cell storyboard where students illustrate modern examples of staying silent. This helps make the poem's message relevant and encourages empathy and critical thinking.
Examples include bystander behavior in bullying, not reporting cheating, or ignoring exclusion of classmates. Students can draw from personal experiences or current events for their storyboards.
Students should click Start Assignment, create a 3-cell storyboard illustrating their example, write scene descriptions, and save their work when finished.
Learning about the impact of silence helps students understand responsibility, develop empathy, and encourages them to stand up for themselves and others in real-life situations.