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What caused World War II? What happened during the Holocaust?

World War II was caused by the growing tide of fascism in Europe and imperialism in Japan. The United States entered the war when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor.

Adolf Hitler and the Nazis sent six million European Jews to their deaths in organized killings known as the Holocaust. Families were separated and destroyed.

“The Butterfly”

For seven weeks I’ve lived in here,

Penned up inside this ghetto.But I have found what I love

here.The dandelions call to meAnd the white chestnut branches in the court.

Only I never saw another butterfly.

That butterfly was the last one.

Butterflies don’t live in here, in the ghetto.

The last, the very last,So richly, brightly, dazzlingly

yellow.Perhaps if the sun’s tears

would sing against a white stone....Such, such a yellow

Is carried lightly ’way up high.

It went away I’m sure because it wished

to kiss the world good-bye.

Pavel Friedman, June 4, 1942Born in Prague on Jan. 7, 1921.

Deported to the Terezin Concentration Camp on April 26, 1942. Died in Aushchwitz on Sept. 29, 1944

Questions to discuss:

1.Who do you think wrote this poem? 2.What experiences do you think generated this poem? 3.To what is the poem referring? 4.How does this poem make you feel?

About the Holocaust…

More than 12,000 children under the age of 15 passed through the Terezin Concentration Camp between the years 1942-1944. More than 90 percent perished during the Holocaust. In these poems and pictures drawn by the young inmates of Terezin, we see the daily misery of these uprooted children, as well as their courage and optimism, their hopes and fears.

The Butterfly ProjectAfter several silent readings, see if they can find any examples of hopes, dreams and/or fears in your child’s poem.

After you have read the poems and feel comfortable with it, discuss your poem with another classmate. 

You should begin to feel comfortable with your poem and be able to relate to the author and the words the author wrote.

Prepare an oral interpretative reading of their poems.

Instructions: Create a butterfly that is a representative of the

author of your own poem. You should write the name of your child on the butterfly if the child’s name is available.

You should be prepared to discuss why you chose the enhancements of each of your own butterflies. It is important to be creative make whatever butterfly you feel comfortable making.

1. Must take up majority of the white paper on BOTH sides.

2. Must have color 3. Must relate to your poem.

Examples:

Journal Response• Write a 1 page journal response about the butterfly you created based on “Fear.” Why did you choose the decoration you did? What does the poem mean to you? How does this relate to the child’s experience during the Holocaust?