STEP 1: Foundational Discussion 

We recommend that educators ask their students what they already know about Nazi Germany and the Holocaust. 

Most secondary students have a degree of familiarity with Jews being targeted for genocide by the Nazis and, to some extent, the enormous cruelty and horror that the Nazis were responsible for; but few have read any anecdotal information beyond the Diary of Anne Frank and fewer still have ever had a chance to hear directly from a holocaust survivor or have a sense of the rise of German nationalism and the origins of fascism. Scroll down to access some videos and other primary sources for educators to use as foundational references for a group reading of The Faithful Spy.

We also recommend visiting the official The Faithful Spy website maintained by the publisher, Amulet Books, an imprint of Abrams Press.

• https://abramsbooks.com/product/faithful-spy_9781419728389/

This Google Classroom is designed to allow teachers from different classes/schools to facilitate collaboration and communication about student allyship, culturally responsive curriculum, and youth voice and empowerment. Before engaging in this discussion, all students should have A) read The Faithful Spy B) viewed the primary source video "John Hendrix Interview," and       C) discussed and reflected on the reading/viewing of A & B with their classmates.

You are welcome to clone this class and share as you see fit within SDUSD. 

Please note: Educators may need to go to "Stream" section of the General settings (below) and select "Students can post and comment" if it's not selected in the general settings. 

Classwork #1 Methods of Resistance

1. In the "Question" section of your "Classwork" tab, paste this:  

1. John Hendrix Prompt: Methods of Resistance

"On page 52, Dietrich Bonhoeffer crafts a bold statement outlining 3 methods that he hopes to inspire resistance against an oppressive government: 1) Question the state and its methods. 2) Aid the victims of state action. 3) Strike back. 

What are ways that WE can follow Bonhoeffer’s playlist in responding to current forms of aggression against marginalized communities?"

2. In the "Instructions" section, paste this:  

Synthesizing what you read in The Faithful Spy, viewed in the "John Hendrix" video, and your own life experiences, view John Hendrix's prompt (below) and compose a unique post.

Additionally, please respond to at least two other students' posts. Be sure to use academic language, proper punctuation, and respectful dialogue.

Attached is a discussion rubric and expectations for facilitating online communication. 

Classwork #2 In the Pursuit of Liberation

1. In the "Question" section of the Classwork tab, paste this:  2. John Hendrix Prompt: In the Pursuit of Liberation

"On pages 86-92, we find Dietrich Bonhoeffer deliberating about how he--as a pacifist--can justify his role in plotting the murder of the tyrant. At this time, he feels that he has no other alternatives than to join the plot against Adolf Hitler. The brutality of the Nazis was proven over and over again, but very few Germans made attempts to challenge his tactics. Was Bonhoeffer’s decision justified? What would YOU have done? What would your motivations have been?"

2. In the "Instructions" section, paste this:  

Synthesizing what you read in The Faithful Spy, viewed in the "John Hendrix" video, and your own life experiences, view John Hendrix's prompt (below) and compose a unique post.

Additionally, please respond to at least two other students' posts. Be sure to use academic language, proper punctuation, and respectful dialogue.

Attached is a discussion rubric and expectations for facilitating online communication. 

Classwork #3 Changing Perceptions of the "Righteous Struggle"

1. In the "Question" section of the Classwork tab, paste this:  3. John Hendrix Prompt: Changing Perceptions of the "Righteous Struggle"

"Bonhoeffer recognized the existential threat that Hitler posed to Germany, his own country, as well as to its own people. But Bonhoeffer had committed to engaging in a plot that carried extreme risks. Can you think of moments in our history in the USA when individuals undertook great risks on behalf of a righteous cause? What did they risk? Can you think of instances in our own history when the perception of a cause that was once called righteous was downgraded to “less than righteous?” How and why have perceptions of certain righteous causes evolved over our history?"

2. In the "Instructions" section, paste this:  

Synthesizing what you read in The Faithful Spy, viewed in the "John Hendrix" video, and your own life experiences, view John Hendrix's prompt (below) and compose a unique post.

Additionally, please respond to at least two other students' posts. Be sure to use academic language, proper punctuation, and respectful dialogue.

Attached is a discussion rubric and expectations for facilitating online communication. 

Classwork #4 Acting in Solidarity

1. In the "Question" section of the Classwork tab, paste this:  4. John Hendrix Prompt: Acting in Solidarity"

"Bonhoeffer is an example of a historical figure who was moved to take action against injustice despite the injustice not having any direct effect on himself. Are there injustices that you see around you that may not affect YOU directly, but that you feel an urgent need to address? In what ways can you act with solidarity on behalf of people or entities that do not share your privilege?"

2. In the "Instructions" section, paste this:  

Synthesizing what you read in The Faithful Spy, viewed in the "John Hendrix" video, and your own life experiences, view John Hendrix's prompt (below) and compose a unique post.

Additionally, please respond to at least two other students' posts. Be sure to use academic language, proper punctuation, and respectful dialogue.

Attached is a discussion rubric and expectations for facilitating online communication. 

Dietrich Bonheoffer: The Church and the "Jewish Question"

An essay expanding on the complicated motivations of Bonhoeffer as expressed in his writing and teaching. "Bonhoeffer still believed that the 'Jewish question' would be resolved [not through policies grounded in equity] but ultimately through the conversion of the Jews."

How to Find Your Visual Voice

Faithful Spy author/Illustrator, John Hendrix talks about drawing, visual culture, and his philosophical approach to illustration and idea generation.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer: Memories and Perspectives

A collection of interviews about Dietrich Bonhoeffer as recounted by those who actually knew him.

Bonhoeffer Research and Creative Process Deep-Dive

Explore the creative pathway that John Hendrix travelled in the creation of The Faithful Spy. It digs into the artistic and literary decisions he made as the project evolved. 

 The John Hendrix Website

A glimpse into the design and imagery conjured by the mind of John Hendrix. 

The Faithful Spy Wakelet

A collection of resources educators can use to explore The Faithful Spy. Wakelet created by Joanna Sargent in Poway Unified.

Holocaust Survivor Testimonials / Memoirs

A curated YouTube playlist with a growing body of video testimonials from Holocaust survivors including some local San Diegans.

Holocaust Education Accelerator

First Book ​​​​and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum developed the free Getting Started Guide: Teaching About the Holocaust to support educators as they prepare to teach about the Holocaust. Enhance your curriculum with survivor testimonies.