With the help of additional primary source analysis, students will create a traditional storyboard that outlines what defined life in Auschwitz, the Labor/Death camp that existed during the Holocaust. Students will analyze and explain what constituted prisoners’ arrival, their daily life, experiences, and ultimately their fate in Auschwitz. This will give a general perspective of life in the camp and what prisoners experienced.
Students should consider the following aspects of life in Auschwitz:
Extended Activity 1
For an extended activity, students will create an additional storyboard that represents the life of a survivor after the Holocaust. Students can refer to the following links to assist them in their research. Students should find a survivor that has contributed to the preservation of the history of the Holocaust and represent the actions they have taken to do so.
Extended Activity 2
Have students research and outline another labor or death camp that had existed throughout the Holocaust. Students should be aware that although similarities exist among life in each camp, camps operated and functioned differently as well. This will expand students’ perspectives on how camps operated, and allow students to look at camps comparatively.
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Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that defines what life was like in Auschwitz.
Encourage open and respectful dialogue about survivor stories to deepen understanding and empathy. Facilitating these discussions helps students connect personally to history while practicing active listening and critical thinking skills.
Collaborate with your class to establish clear, respectful guidelines before sharing testimonies. This creates a safe space where every student feels comfortable expressing thoughts and emotions.
Introduce the background of each survivor and their story. Providing context helps students process difficult topics and prepares them emotionally for the discussion.
Ask thoughtful, open-ended questions that invite reflection, such as "How did this testimony make you feel?" or "What can we learn from this experience?" This approach fosters deeper engagement and critical thinking.
Give students quiet moments to write or draw their thoughts after listening. Personal reflection supports emotional processing and helps students articulate their learning.
Encourage students to brainstorm ways they can apply lessons of tolerance and remembrance in their own lives. This step helps students see the relevance of history and empowers them to take positive action.