Holocaust and Genocide
Arizona Holocaust and Genocide Education Resources
At the State Board of Education meeting on Oct 26, 2020 the Board adopted two rules to reinforce and emphasize the importance of instructing students in the history of the Holocaust and other genocides. These rules, R7-2-301 and R7-2-302 require students to receive instruction in the Holocaust and other genocides at least once in either grade seven or grade eight and at least once in high school in their social studies courses. Although this instruction is required as part of the 2018 History and Social Science Standards, these rules will further stress the importance of these topics and events.
This webpage has been set up to provide 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.
Arizona Holocaust and Genocide Education Resources Introductory Video
Arizona History and Social Science Standards
- Getting Started Guide from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum | Guidelines to follow video - 18 minutes
- This guide contains a few great lessons. It also contains guidance on how to address the difficult history of the Holocaust in the classroom. Specifically the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum offers one day, two day, and four day lesson plans. Video with lesson examples - 9 minutes. The one day and four day lesson plans are also in Spanish! Then also check out their Timeline Activity lesson. It is a great introductory lesson. Timeline Activity video example - 19 minutes
- Learn about Genocides
- These lessons from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum give background on what is genocide, definitions of mass atrocities, and country case studies. These lessons are appropriate for grades 7-12.
- History Unfolded - U.S. Newspapers (from multiple perspectives, Black newspapers, youth newspapers) and the Holocaust from the USHMM. These lessons are also in Spanish. Pair these lessons with the U.S. Library of Congress Chronicling America newspapers from Arizona or region.
- Americans and the Holocaust Exhibit Video with lesson plans referenced - 9 minutes
- Teaching Materials on Propaganda - USHMM - Check out the Critically Analyzing Propaganda lesson
- Lessons on teaching racism - USHMM - Video lesson example - 15 minutes
- Refugee Crisis lessons - 3 lessons - good to integrate with immigration, 8th grade
- U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum Online Lessons - These lessons are ready to use and integrate with a variety of learning management systems.
- Facing History and Ourselves Holocaust Lessons
- Tour of Tucson Holocaust History Center
- Tucson Holocaust History Center Educator Lessons for Middle and High School | Lesson ID Cards
- Local Arizona Resources - Hidden Children Arizona's Holocaust Survivors
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 the 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 1.0 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).
- Tips for Teachers
- Teacher Training
- Book Resources for Teachers
- Book Resources for Students Grades K-6
- Book Resources for Students Grades 7-12
- Video Resources
- Feature Films
- Phoenix Holocaust Association Speakers Bureau and Resources
- Glossary Terms
- Taskforce Members
The Taskforce welcomes comments from teachers and educators. We want to know what works and what could be better. Send your comments to: [email protected]
- U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum Opportuntities for Educators - videos, recorded conferences, fellowship program, and institutes
- U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum Americans and the Holocaust Online Graphic
- U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum Could the Allies Have Stopped the Holocaust Video
- U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum Immigration Graphic - great for AZ 8th grade and U.S. History
- Video - One Survivor Remembers
- Book list of other genocides
- Video - Resiliance: Reflections of Arizona Holocaust Survivors - Teacher Guide
- ABC-CLIO Modern Genocide Database
- Holocaust Center Educator Resources - Contains C3 Teachers Inquiry on the Holocaust
- Holocaust Center ELA Resources
- Candles Holocaust Museum and Education Center - Book List
- List of websites - Link Coming Soon
- The Bosnian Genocide by Volker Benkert | Slides
- Bystanders, Resistance, Resue and Aftermath by Volker Benkert | Slides
- Native America and Genocide by Alex Alvarez | Slides
- Recorded Echoes and Reflections webinars
- Coming Soon - opportunities for the 2022-2023 school year
