Special Online issue

Teacher's Guide

 Written by Jim Barrie, Instructor, Model Secondary School for the Deaf 

Discovery and Discussion:

• What is "In Der Nacht"? What is the English translation of "In Der Nacht"?
• Have students suggest why the exhibit is titled "in the night".
• Dachau was a Nazi death camp. Who in this report survived Dachau?
• Have students list the types of art exhibited in "In Der Nacht".
• Have students write to Michelle Baron and Marla Petal for information about their planned movie. Perhaps students will be interested in raising funds for the movie.

Discovery and Discussion:

• Who is Dr. Horst Biesold? Where does he live?
• Dr. Biesold noticed something interesting about his deaf friends. What did he notice?
• You probably will need to provide some background on the Nazis and their treatment of minority groups. Review Nazi history in an encyclopedia for a quick refresher Prior to class discussion of this topic.

Note: Approach the subject of the Nazis and the Holocaust carefully. Younger children may have a difficult time dealing with this topic. Be sure to provide sufficient class time in order to discuss students' feelings.

• Why did the Nazis hurt and kill handicapped people? Refer students to "Why Did the Germans Kill People?"

Note: the Nazis thought that by eliminating deaf people, deafness would also be eliminated. However, this premise of the Nazis was incorrect: Most deaf people (90%) have hearing children; Most parents of deaf children (90%) are hearing.

Discovery and Discussion:

• Who is Rose Rosman? When did she live in Germany?
• Rose went to a school for the deaf in Berlin, Germany. But she had to leave school and flee to France. Why did her family go to France?
• How did Rose and her family sneak into France?
• Have students describe the circumstances of Rose's and Max's wedding ceremony.
• The Germans invaded and took over France in 1939. How did the German occupation change life for Rose and her family?
• Have students describe work in the sewing factory. What happened if a woman broke more than five needles in one day?
• How did Rose and her baby, Esther, hide from the Nazis?
• Where does Rose live today?

Discovery and Discussion:

• Why did the Nazis believe that they were superior to other people?
• You may need to define and discuss the term "Aryan". Have students define "Aryan" by reading the article. Addition information for points of discussion follows:
• Aryan is a tribal name used to distinguish a prehistori people;
• Aryan and Indo-Iranian have similar meanings;
• The Nazis used the terms "Aryan" and "Nordic," to mean a Caucasian of non-Jewish descent.
• Why did the Nazis want to breed people? Have students define the term "eugenics" by reading the article.
• Did America ever consider passing a eugenics law?
• Have students discuss the moral validity of eugenics. Should governments regulate who can and can not have children?

Holocaust Related Web Sites

History of Deaf Holocaust Victims
Strong Bonds and Promises To Take Care of Each Other Kept Them Alive!
Strong Bonds, Part II
Snap.com's list of Holocaust links
Holocaust Timeline
Teacher's Guide to the Holocaust
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
The Anne Frank House
Virtual Tour of Dachau
Cybrary of the Holocaust
Holocaust Pictures Exhibition

General comments may be sent to: Cathryn.Carroll@gallaudet.edu

Last modified February 3, 1998
Copyright © 1998, All Rights Reserved
Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center

Gallaudet University 800 Florida Ave. NE Washington, DC 20002-3695