Investigating the Holocaust

A WebQuest for 8th Grade (Language Arts & Social Studies)

Designed by

Miss Fijal & Miss Pohlman

View of the Entrance to Auschwitz

View of the entrance to the main camp of Auschwitz (Auschwitz I). The gate bears the motto "Arbeit Macht Frei" (Work makes one free).

Introduction |Task | Process | Conclusion | Credits |


Introduction

You are a historian for the human interest section of the newspaper, and you are beginning to research the Holocaust.  The editors of the newspaper are doing a historical anniversary edition on this era of the past. First you will need to do some basic fact finding on this topic, which will help you to create your piece of writing. 

Before beginning, your editor asked you to think about these two questions: How can a lack of tolerance and respect impact various groups in society?  Can one person make a difference?  Remain mindful of these essential questions throughout your research.

Task

Your job as historian requires you to find the answers to Who? What? When? Where? Why? and How? with your topic being the Holocaust.  After gathering background information, you will be required to write journal entries which will then be published in the human interest section of the anniversary edition of the newspaper.  

 

Holocaust WebQuest Journal

Process

Your editor was kind enough to provide you with a fact finding list of guidelines, which will aid you in discovering the background information on the Holocaust.  You will use the following links to respond to the guidelines:

Holocaust Timeline

Holocaust Glossary with Pronunciations

Holocaust Definition

Holocaust Maps (after you click on the link, scroll down and click on map for more information)

In General Definitions

After you have completed your research, you will have noticed that there were eight different groups of people.  Now that you know a little bit about each group, you are going to choose a specific one.  Once you have chosen a group, you are going to write a series of three journal entries through the point-of-view of a person in that group.  Once you have chosen your group, you may want to go back to the website and do some extra research on that group - People of the Holocaust

Remember to use your rubric as a guideline while writing your journal entries.

 

Conclusion

Congratulations!  You've met your newspaper's printing deadline and your journal entries will be included in the anniversary edition.  Hopefully this helped you see the Holocaust through the eyes of someone who lived through this tragic time in world history.  Are you aware that YOU, as one person, made a difference in preserving the memory of the millions who were killed in the Holocaust.  Remember to spread the knowledge that tolerance and respect are crucial to a productive and harmonious society.

Credits

Thank you to the following:

·         View of the Entrance to Auschwitz photo credit: Glowna Komisja Badania Zbrodni Przeciwko Narodowi Polskiemu, courtesy of USHMM Photo Archives

  • Bill Wajda for helping us create this webquest

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Last updated on August 15, 1999. Based on a template from The WebQuest Page