Teaching about the Holocaust can inspire students to think critically about the past and their own roles and responsibilities today. Use the resources below to help develop your approach and to find lesson plans to use in your classroom. These resources were created for middle and high school students.
Free Professional Development and Resources for Teachers
Earn 18 hours of professional development credit online July 7–8, 2021 at the Museum’s Belfer National Conference for Educators.
Participants will network live with Museum staff and historians, connect with educators around the world, and receive free books and teaching materials.
Do you need more advice? Please complete this short form, and Museum staff will help you.
How much time do you have to teach about the Holocaust?
One to Two Days
We recommend:
- Introduction to the Holocaust (one day lesson plan)
- Overview of the Holocaust (two day lesson plan)
- History of Antisemitism and the Holocaust (one to two day lesson plan with online option)
Three to Four Days
We recommend:
- Overview of the Holocaust (four day lesson plan)
- The Path to Nazi Genocide Documentary (37-minute documentary and worksheet)
- Timeline Activity (three to four day lesson plan with multi-layered timeline, extensions and online option available)
Do you teach History or Social Studies?
We recommend:
- Introduction to the Holocaust (one day lesson plan)
- History of Antisemitism and the Holocaust (one to two day lesson plan with online option)
- Timeline Activity (three to four day lesson plan with multi-layered timeline, extensions and online option available)
- The Path to Nazi Genocide Documentary (37-minute documentary and worksheet)
Do you teach English, Language Arts, or Literature?
We recommend:
- Introduction to the Holocaust (one day lesson plan)
- Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl (flexible lesson plan with timeline and optional activities)
- Night by Elie Wiesel (flexible lesson plan with timeline and optional activities)
- Exploring Holocaust-era diaries (flexible lesson plan with diary excerpts and classroom activities)
