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Lesson Plans – Genocide

Confronting Genocide. Never Again?
Author:  Choices Curriculum Project, Brown University, 2010
Examines the world response to genocide in the 20th century, and is divided into five sections: an introduction to genocide, genocide as reported in the media, role playing four policy options to address the problem of genocide, joining the debate on U. S. policy concerning genocide intervention and prevention, and building a memorial.  Online supplemental materials are provided in addition to the unit itself, and include website links, downloadable PDF graphic organizers, maps, and other sources, as well as an online survey that encourages students to provide their own responses to the unit activities.
Grade Level:  high school – college/university.
Subject Area: Humanities, social studies.


Darfur is Dying
Source:  UN Regional Information Centre for Western Europe
Video game for change that provides a window into the experience of the 2.5 million refugees in the Darfur region of Sudan. Players must keep their refugee camp functioning in the face of possible attack by Janjaweed militias. Players can also learn more about the genocide in Darfur that has taken the lives of 400,000 people, and find ways to get involved to help stop this human rights and humanitarian crisis.
Grade Level:  middle – high school
Subject Area:, social studies.


The Genocide Education Project
 Source:  Genocide Education Project
Provides resources for teaching about human rights and genocide, particularly the Armenian Genocide, as the predecessor of the pattern of genocides that followed. GenEd develops instructional materials and provides workshops, consultation and presentations.

Grade Level:  middle – high school
Subject Area:, social studies

The Eight Stages of Genocide
Source: HRE USA
In this foundational lesson, students will learn about the different stages that lead to genocides, and therefore will allow students to understand what patterns typically serve as antecedents to genocide. It will also give students the tools necessary to identify what indicators to look for when pinpointing regions where genocides can potentially take place in the future. Understanding the stages of genocide also enables people to act to stop policies and practices that can lead to genocide.
Grade Level: high school
Subject Area: social studies


“Teaching About Genocide”
Editors: Samuel Totten, Samuel and William Parsons
Publisher: National Council for the Social Studies
This special issue of Social Education, Vol. 55, No. 2, February 1991 includes seventeen contributions by genocide scholars, educators, and researchers on how teach about genocide. Among the topics included are: lesson and unit plans for classroom instruction, a historical overview of genocide, discussions of rationales for the study of genocide in the schools, genocide denial, and genocide intervention and prevention and others.


The Promise of “Never Again”
Source:  Anti-Defamation League
Addresses genocide since the Holocaust. Lessons include barriers to repetition of genocide and their effectiveness. Four lessons, an article on Art from “The Holocaust Series: Sur-Rational Paintings” by Fritz Hirschberger, and many resources.
Grade Level:  middle – high school
Subject Area: social studies


U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum: Resources for Educators
Source: U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum
The US Holocaust Memorial Museum provides detailed guidelines for study of the Holocaust and other genocides, along with a listing of essential topics to teach, common questions about the Holocaust, and a discussion of rationale issues, “Why Teach About the Holocaust?”  Additionally, lesson plans designed by experienced teachers of the Holocaust, sets of additional teaching materials, an online teacher training workshop and a listing of professional events and resources are provided, along with state profiles of Holocaust education in the USA.
Grade Level: middle school – university level
Subject Area: humanities, social studies and other subject fields where study of the Holocaust is integrated.

Pressing Human Rights Issues in Africa
Source: HRE USA
Students will be introduced to several pressing human rights issues that are occurring in countries in Africa, and then work in groups to research and create a report on possible ways to improve the human rights situation and present their plan of action to their peers. This lesson is intended to be a follow-up after an introductory lesson on human rights has already taken place.
Grade Level: high school
Subject Area: social studies

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