The Willesden Project: K–5 | The Center for Jewish-Inclusive Learning Portal

Topic

The Holocaust

Summary

The Willesden Project, a global initiative transforming classrooms, is inspired by the power of music and story to reshape Holocaust education and transform young lives by contributing to their development as empathetic, knowledgeable, and resilient individuals.

Produced by IWitness, a free educational website developed by the USC Shoah Foundation, The Willesden Project expands the reach of Lisa Jura’s story of survival, resilience, and triumph as she struggles to come of age separated from her family during World War II. The stories were originally shared by her daughter, author and concert pianist Mona Golabek, in The Children of Willesden Lane books and musical performances.

Transformative activities for students in grades K to 5 are provided with classroom materials and educator resources centered around themes of music and resilience, migrations and refugees, and generational legacy. Instructional and historical resources are also provided to support teaching, including teacher guides for various grade levels, instructional support, contextualizing videos and resources, and webinars. Video testimony from Mona Golabek and Edith Maniker and the “Music Dreams” video and lesson are also provided.

Recommended Resources

Guidance

Book List for Elementary School Holocaust Education

Introduce elementary students to Holocaust history in an age-appropriate, accurate, and sensitive way, using a list of books vetted by experts.

Grades:

3 - 5

A row of small lit candles glowing in the darkness, their flames softly illuminating the surrounding black background.

Guidance

Guidelines for Effective Holocaust Instruction in Upper Elementary

Teach about the Holocaust to young learners with guidelines that emphasize human rights, build empathy, and support student reflection.

Grades:

3 - 5

Explainer

Glossary of Terms for Upper Elementary Students

This Echoes & Reflections mini-glossary of terms briefly covers Judaism, antisemitism, the Holocaust, and related words, to support deeper understanding for students in grades three to six.

Grades:

3 - 6

Video

Lesson

Lala - Teach with Testimony

Bring history to life with this six-minute virtual reality film featuring Holocaust survivor Roman Kent, his dog, Lala, and the timeless lesson that love is stronger than hate.

Grades:

K - 7

Video

Lesson

Ruth: A Little Girl's Big Journey - Teach with Testimony

Follow Dr. Ruth Westheimer’s survival of the Holocaust as a young girl in this short, animated film that explores universal themes of fear, loss, and loneliness, as well as resilience, bravery, and hope.

Grades:

K - 5

Video

Lesson

The Number on Great-Grandpa's Arm - Teach with Testimony

Introduce the Holocaust to young children in an age-appropriate manner; learn about the importance of empathy and understanding.

Grades:

3 - 5

Book

Educator Guide

The Willesden Project: 6–8

Bring the power of music and story to reach students in grades 6 to 8 and contribute to their development as empathetic, knowledgeable, and resilient individuals.

Grades:

6 - 8