Learning Activities

This activity incorporates the use of Terrible Things: An Allegory of the Holocaust, a short children's book that introduces students in the elementary grades to the basic concepts surrounding the Holocaust, the dangers of choosing to be a bystander, and the importance of empathy. It can also be a great introduction for Middle and High School classrooms.

After completing this activity, which includes two lessons, students will be able to identify the characteristics of what makes us human and be able to distinguish between what is necessary for survival and what may enhance that survival. They will also learn about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, discuss why each person should be treated with dignity, and understand what it means to be an upstander. This activity may also be used in upper grades, specifically in psychology classes when discussing Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.

In this activity, students will be introduced to the concept of “Universal Obligation”, as well as the understanding of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. They will examine one’s obligation to others and how our behavior reflects our sense of responsibility to others. When analyzing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, students will examine how these rights have been implemented to support the concept of human dignity and explore how the bystander effect has a significant impact on others.