When studying a period of history, it's important for students to have a solid understanding of basic terminology that will be used in the unit. This allows them to be able to better understand the events and have the vocabulary needed to have discussions in class.
In this activity, students will use a spider map to define and illustrate major terms used in discussing the Holocaust. This will allow students to better understand the Holocaust and why it happened. Students should be sure their definitions include how each term is directly related to the Holocaust. Teachers may pre-select terms they would like students to study, or they can use from the suggested list below:
Extended Activity
Have students expand further on one of the terms defined in their spider map. Students could expand on how the term applies to understanding the Holocaust in more depth, and its relation to a broader perspective on why the Holocaust occurred.
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a spider map that defines and illustrates key terms and vocabulary from the Holocaust.
Create a dedicated section on your classroom wall to display key Holocaust terms and definitions. This provides a visible, ongoing reference that supports vocabulary retention and encourages students to use academic language during discussions.
Rotate in additional vocabulary as you progress through the Holocaust unit. This keeps the wall relevant and reinforces learning as students encounter more complex concepts.
Use quick review games, peer quizzes, or word-of-the-day spotlights to engage students with the vocabulary wall. Frequent, interactive use boosts recall and confidence in classroom discussions.
A Holocaust visual vocabulary activity is a lesson where students define and illustrate key terms related to the Holocaust, often using tools like spider maps, to deepen understanding of historical events and concepts.
To teach Holocaust vocabulary to high school students, have them create visual organizers like spider maps that define and illustrate important terms. Encourage them to connect each term directly to Holocaust events for better context and retention.
Essential Holocaust terms for students include indoctrination, genocide, antisemitism, dehumanization, bias, and nationalism. Understanding these helps frame discussions about the Holocaust’s causes and impact.
Using visual tools like spider maps enhances comprehension and memory by allowing students to see relationships between terms, definitions, and historical context, making abstract concepts about the Holocaust more accessible.
A spider map is a graphic organizer where a central idea branches out to related concepts. For Holocaust terms, it helps students visually organize definitions, examples, and connections, promoting deeper understanding and discussion.