About This Lesson
This lesson uses the artwork of Esther Nisenthal Krinitz and demonstrates how non-photographic records of war can be important primary sources and how survivor’s stories can capture events that took place in history. In this exercise, students will view and analyze the artwork of Esther Nisenthal Krinitz as a primary account to better understand World War II (WWII) and to learn about the victims, perpetrators, heroes/upstanders and bystanders.
This activity can be a complementary lesson to those who are studying about bystanders in history, about combatting bully behavior, or to those related to primary sources and/or art work of Holocaust survivors. The students will visually analyze the artwork and will discuss the moral dimensions of the Holocaust as they learn about Esther, her family, her community, and her journey. The English/ Language Arts and Social Studies standards-aligned lesson combines viewing artwork, analyzing accompanying first person accounts and an accompanying narrative.
OBJECTIVE:
Students will be able to:
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define what it means to be a victim, a perpetrator, a bystander and a hero/upstander.
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explain the role of the bystander - in events both from the past and present.
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gather evidence through primary sources.
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analyze artwork and primary sources.
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recognize the danger of being a silent bystander when a wrong is being committed and recognize that they have the responsibility to speak out.
