About This Lesson
Overview
*Note: This is the full, multi-lesson unit. You may also find the introduction to genocide lesson individually by visiting the Resources section.
In this highly engaging and high-interest unit plan, an interdisciplinary and rigorous approach introduces students to the first stage of genocide (classification) through the lens of the Darfur conflict, appropriate for grades 8-12 with two versions of a differentiated anchor text.
Throughout the unit, students explore identity, labeling, and the "us vs. them" mentality through engaging activities, research, critical reading, group discussion, and a variety of visual tools. The curriculum is grounded in Gregory Stanton’s "Ten Stages of Genocide" framework and this particular unit includes a focus on critical media literacy, recognizing and revising divisive language, understanding the connection between geography and global conflict, as well as learning about social justice issues and the role of civic action in creating generational change.
Instructional Procedures Include:
• Unit launch with hands-on exploration of the complex definitions of genocide as well as safe space norms and best practices
• Viewing and analyzing "The Call" TED Talk by Gregory Stanton
• Interactive presentation on the Ten Stages of Genocide
• Identity pie chart and discussion on classification in our world
• Close reading of anchor text “Us or Them” with two versions for different reading levels
• Group analysis: classification examples from history, school, and society
• Classification spectrum activity and justification
• Exit ticket synthesis and self-care strategies
• Formative CFUs by content area
• Summative exam (standards-aligned with answers, rationale, and short constructed response/extended response options)
• Primary and secondary sources including original, open source news clippings of national and global news reports from 2003-2005 and 2023 to the present for comparison
• Access to interactive audio recording of anchor text as well as transcripts from Ted Talk, sentence stems, and a multitude of differentiation strategies for struggling, advanced, ESL, and special education students.
• Standards-based Teacher Tracking Tool for core content areas divided by TEK or Common Core standards
Why Teach It?
After working for 10 years with students at the secondary level, and after engaging in research and dialogue with scholars during my M.Ed. program in Curriculum and Holocaust and Genocide studies, I can say with confidence that the current generation in school is hte world's brightest hope for creating a better world. Students are hungry for change; they simply don't know where to start and can feel overwhelmed. With actionable steps from miniature to moderate for each stage and case study, the curriculum goes beyond lecturing about atrocity: it empowers students to break the normalization of mass violence.
Furthermore, despite its. heavy content, students have consistently noted that learning about the Holocaust and other genocides is their favorite topic - not because of the macabre, but because of the interdisciplinary nature inherent in its study, and a true sense of global awareness that goes far beyond the page and lecture hall and into student's consciousness - not with fear and angst, but with hope and excitement for a better future.
