Holocaust and Genocide

Arizona Holocaust and Genocide Education Toolkit

This webpage provides resources, training, and support for educators in meeting this requirement. It also houses the work of the Task Force on The Holocaust and Other Genocides - a Toolkit for teachers and students.

“We believe it is important for students to know the history of genocides so we will all be determined to never let that happen again. However, it is important to note that no individual is responsible for any crimes committed by his or her ethnic group in the past. All individuals must be treated with respect. In the context of learning about genocide in the past, it is important to learn this moral message.” -- Tom Horne, Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction

Holocaust and other Genocides Upcoming Events

The Arizona State Board of Education, in October 2020, adopted revisions to the Minimum Course of Study and Competency Goals for Arizona schools.  These changes require teaching about the Holocaust and other genocides at least twice between the seventh and twelfth grades.

In 2024, HB 2779 amended ARS 15-701.02 to read: the state board of education shall include a requirement that students be taught about the Holocaust and other genocides for at least three school days, or the equivalent, on at least two separate occasions during any of grades seven through twelve. 

Although this instruction is required as part of the 2018 History and Social Science Standards, this legislation further stresses the importance of these topics and events.

The Taskforce on "The Holocaust and Other Genocides" is a collaborative effort among Arizona's three public universities, several community colleges, high-school educators, and representatives of civic organizations who are committed to teaching about these atrocities in order to prevent future suffering.  The Arizona State Board of Education, in October 2020, adopted revisions to the Minimum Course of Study and Competency Goals for Arizona schools.  These changes require teaching about the Holocaust and other genocides at least twice between the seventh and twelfth grades. The Taskforce has prepared a special toolkit to enable educators in middle schools and high schools to teach the causes, progression, and significance of these historical events.  By teaching about the Holocaust and other genocides, Arizona's public schools will ensure that its youth will become responsible, informed, and empathetic adult citizens who can use their knowledge to prevent injustices and human suffering.  This toolkit will be periodically updated and enhanced.

All materials in Toolkit 3.0 are exemplary and not comprehensive. Materials cover the Holocaust as well as several other genocides. The taskforce decided to limit other genocide examples to four case studies where genocidal violence and ethnic cleansing occurred: Armenia (the first modern genocidal atrocity), former Yugoslavia (Europe: a recent ethnocide with genocidal moments), Rwanda (Africa: the fastest-moving genocidal killing in the 20th century), and Native Americans (long legacy of displacements, massacres, and genocidal killings in the Americas). Resources shared on this site are intended for professional use by educators and should be reviewed for age appropriateness, content sensitivity, and alignment with district guidelines. Users are responsible for adapting materials to meet best practices and the specific needs of their students and classrooms.

Before presenting a lesson plan or giving resources to students, teachers should first understand best practices when teaching these difficult topics. "Because you have to" is not the appropriate rationale to use when asked, "Why are you teaching the Holocaust?" While it is true that teaching the Holocaust and other genocides is embedded in the Arizona State Social Science Standards as well as legislatively required, teachers must understand not only the rationale of the state, the Department of Education, and their own district/charter who are choosing materials, but they must have a deep understanding of their own rationales. Use the materials below to start your journey.

Once teachers have their rationale, learning objectives, and have vetted their materials using the Rubric for Evaluation Sources, they can now begin teaching the Holocaust and other genocides in their classroom. There are a plethora of premade units, lessons, and activities to support teaching the Holocaust and other Genocides - it can be overwhelming! If you are new to teaching the Holocaust and other genocides, we suggest that you start with the following resources.

Looking for more in-depth lessons that are aligned to the Arizona State Social Science Standards? Head over to the Arizona Digital Educator Library (ADEL), where teachers can find grade-specific Holocaust and other genocides lesson plans. 

While taking the first step into teaching this complex history can be challenging, the journey doesn’t end there. Deepening your understanding of the Holocaust and other genocides is essential—not only to expand historical knowledge, but also to strengthen instructional strategies and become a resource for both peers and students. Below, you'll find curated materials to support your continued professional growth.

 Supplemental Resources for teaching the Holocaust and Other Genocides

Resources shared on this site are intended for professional use by educators and should be reviewed for age appropriateness, content sensitivity, and alignment with district guidelines. Users are responsible for adapting materials to meet best practices and the specific needs of their students and classrooms.

The following lists were compiled and vetted by the Task Force using the USHMM Rubric for Evaluating Resources.

Updated July 2025 | Questions? Email [email protected].