The Holocaust: Build Background Knowledge
Lessons
1 Discover Our Topic: The Holocaust
2 Read a Graphic Novel and Build Background Knowledge
3 Read “The Holocaust: An Introductory History”
4 Close Read: Maus I, Pages 11–23
5 Maus I: Dialogue, Tone, and Character
6 Maus I: Dialogue, Tone, and Character (cont.)
7 Mid-Unit 1 Assessment: Analyze Character, Dialogue, and Word Choice: Maus I, Chapter 4
8 Analyze a Model Whole-Book Literary Summary
9 Plan a Whole-Book Literary Summary of Maus I
10 End of Unit 1 Assessment: Analyze Passive Voice and Active Voice and Summarize Maus I
Designated ELD Lessons for G8M3 Unit 1
These are DRAFT materials developed by OUSD teachers for OUSD teachers, not yet a complete core ELD program.
Please consider filling out the Designated ELD for EL Ed Lesson Feedback Form to help us improve the Designated ELD lessons, units and modules.
G8-M3-U1-L2 - Wide Angle Reading
G8-M3-U1-L3- Cause and Effect Language
G8-M3-U1-L9-L10- Language Dive
Unit Description
In this module, students explore the topic of Voices of the Holocaust. In Lesson 1 of Unit 1, students discover this topic by examining multiple artifacts and encountering the guiding questions of the module and the culminating performance task. As the unit continues, students read an informational text providing an overview of the Holocaust to build their background knowledge on the scope and gravity of the Holocaust. They will be introduced to their anchor text, Maus I, a graphic novel and closely read the first chapter to understand how dialogue and tone reveal aspects of characters. As students continue to read the text, they will track character, plot, and emerging themes. This work prepares students for the Mid-Unit 1 Assessment.
In the second half of Unit 1, students continue to read Maus I and track plot and emerging themes. This work prepares students for the end of unit assessment. At the end of Unit 1, students write a summary of the entire anchor text, Maus I, including a statement of a major theme developed throughout the text.
Preparation and Materials
Prepare the Module Guiding Questions anchor chart and Performance Task anchor chart (see Module Overview).
Prepare vocabulary logs and independent reading journals.
Ensure that families are aware of the sensitive content of Maus I, and prepare students who may be affected by this content in advance.
The following materials are introduced in this unit and referenced throughout both the module and the school year:
Track Gist, Plot, Character, and Emerging Theme anchor chart
Criteria for an Effective Whole-Book Literary Summary anchor chart
Habits of Character/Social-Emotional Learning Focus
Central to the EL Education curriculum is a focus on "habits of character" and social-emotional learning. Students work to become effective learners, developing mindsets and skills for success in college, career, and life (e.g., initiative, responsibility, perseverance, collaboration); work to become ethical people, treating others well and standing up for what is right (e.g., empathy, integrity, respect, compassion); and work to contribute to a better world, putting their learning to use to improve communities (e.g., citizenship, service).
In this unit, students focus on the working to become ethical people habits of character as they build empathy and compassion for the individuals and groups who experienced terrible oppression during the Holocaust. This is an incredibly emotional text that may evoke strong responses, and students will need to practice respect for the emotions of both others and themselves. Students build empathy and compassion as they show respect and care for students who may feel connected to or impacted by issues presented within the text. Students practice respect and empathy when they discuss this complex topic with their peers.
Texts
Maus I
by Art Spiegelman
one per student