<%@LANGUAGE="JAVASCRIPT" CODEPAGE="65001"%> The Holocaust Museum of Southwest Florida
Teaching Students about the Holocaust
Sharing his personal stories, Holocaust survivor Rob Nossen
teaches students valuable lessons from the past.
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WHY TEACH THE HOLOCAUST?
In 1994, a Holocaust Bill was passed in the State of Florida, which mandated the teaching of Holocaust instruction in grades K - 12. The Commissioner of Education created a Task Force on Holocaust Education and appointed members to serve on the Commission. The Task Force serves as an advisory group to the Commissioner of Education and coordinates Holocaust education activities on his behalf.  The Holocaust Museum of Southwest Florida has been a member of the Task Force since 2006.  To read more about the Task Force and access the State of Florida curriculum, please visit www.fldoe.org/holocaust.

A careful study of the Holocaust allows investigation into historical fact and evidence, human behavior, cause and consequence, as well as many other aspects of education.  Understanding the events of the Holocaust can give us an historical perspective that helps us deal with issues of today.

WHAT DO I TEACH?
In deciding what to teach, a teacher should first decide what he/she hopes to accomplish in a study of the Holocaust and genocide.  Therefore, the first step is to create a rationale statement for the unit of study.  Once one has crafted a rationale statement, the scope of information and types of activities becomes more finite.

The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington D.C. has designed guidelines for teaching about the Holocaust.  There are 14 recommended methodologies to take into consideration while designing a Holocaust curriculum.  Please visit www.ushmm.org/education/foreducators for more information.

 

WHAT TEACHER TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES ARE AVAILABLE?
Each June, the Holocaust Museum of Southwest Florida collaborates with Florida Gulf Coast University to present a week-long teacher training seminar.  Teachers from public and private schools in Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee counties are welcome to attend the seminar free of charge.  Participants will learn from scholars, educators and Holocaust survivors in this intensive program.

FIELD TRIPS AND OUTREACH PROGRAMS
The Holocaust Museum of Southwest Florida reaches more than 20,000 students yearly with on-site and outreach education programs.  Using the Museum’s collection, personal stories and hands-on activities, the education programs explore the history of the Holocaust and its relevance for us today.

 
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For more information on Teacher Training Seminars and Educational Programs, please contact Amy Macera, Education Director at 239-263-9200 ext. 202 or amy@hmswfl.org