Who Was Adolf Hitler?

The purpose of this lesson is to further educate students about the man who the world views as the leader of the Holocaust. Although I do not believe in over-emphasizing Hitler because he was only one man who had many, many followers, it is important to address many of the myths behind him and to provide students with factual details. Thus this lesson takes one block and also explores some of the other events occurring that shaped his latter rise to power. Materials listed are only those materials I am sharing below, not all of the nuts and bolts (computer, projectors etc.) necessary to make the lesson work.

LESSON EIGHT: WHO WAS ADOLF HITLER?

Core Lesson Concept: In this lesson, students will identify pre-conceived notions that they have about Adolf Hitler through an anticipation-reaction activity. Following completion of an A-R guide, they will read a piece on Hitler adapted from A Teacher's Guide to the Holocaust. This activity will be followed by a class discussion and Q & A period with the teacher. If time remains, students will watch a segment of Hitler: The Rise to Evil, a docudrama. The segment will trace Hitler's childhood through his discovery of the Nazi Party in post-WWI Germany. The lesson concludes with an article regarding an interview with Hitler's personal nurse in 2005.

Materials:

Lesson Plan

“Hitler’s Early Life” Anticipation Reaction Guide

“Adolf Hitler” Reading Handout

Copy of "Nurse recounts days leading up to Hitler's death"

Hitler: The Rise to Evil DVD

Hitler: The Rise to Evil Worksheet & Key (This is from "Teachers Pay Teachers")(E-mail me with questions)

Suggested Supplemental Reading for Teachers:

Hitler: A Biography by Sir Ian Kershaw