By Kelly White
Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle School brought history to life.
A Holocaust exhibit was brought to the library at the school, 5345 W. 99th St., Oak Lawn, thanks to a teaching trunk provided by the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Educational Center.
¨I am so thankful I had the opportunity to see these amazing, sad, and educational artifacts,” Jayden Triplett, 13, of Oak Lawn, said. “I really cared about it and it was easy to learn. To see those events happen to people is truly sad but an experience I want to learn about because of how important it is.”
The museum provided a literature-based teaching trunk to educators full of resources on various topics. The teaching trunk educated students on the Holocaust through age-appropriate lessons with award–winning fiction and nonfiction, historical references, and other educational materials about the Holocaust. Each trunk was carefully developed to address State and National Learning Standards, including Common Core State Standards.
“Learning about the Holocaust helps students develop a deep understanding of one of the darkest periods in human history,” Heather McCarthy, Media Specialist at Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle School, said. “Studying the Holocaust serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of prejudice, discrimination, and unchecked power. By understanding the factors that led to such immense suffering, students are better equipped to recognize and prevent similar atrocities in the future.”
The event timed out with International Holocaust Remembrance Day, which took place on January 27.
The International Holocaust Remembrance Day, or the International Day in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust, is an international Memorial Day held on the same day every year that commemorates the millions of victims of the Holocaust.
For two days during the last week of January, the Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle School library transformed into a Holocaust Museum. Transforming the library into a Holocaust Museum served as a platform for fostering tolerance and respect for diversity.
During the impromptu museum, students were able to explore six different exhibits including artifacts of survivors. They viewed maps, read literature, viewed a documentary and explored items such as photos and documents.
“Walking around and looking at the different artifacts and learning about all the different survivors and their stories taught me a lot about perseverance and defiance,” Molly Mahoney, 13, of Oak Lawn, said.
By exploring the stories of those who suffered during the Holocaust, students, like Mahoney, were able to develop empathy and a commitment to promoting a more inclusive and compassionate society, according to Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle School staff members.
“Listening to survivors’ accounts fosters empathy,” McCarthy said. “Students can better understand the emotional toll of the Holocaust, connecting with the resilience and strength of those who endured unimaginable hardships. This emotional connection enhances their capacity for empathy, compassion, and a sense of shared humanity.”
All eighth-graders learn about the Holocaust as part of their social studies curriculum.
This year, the social studies teachers and school librarian collaborated together to bring authenticity to the Holocaust unit. Teachers found that students were more likely to engage deeply with the subject matter when it is presented through real, personal narratives. These stories enhance the overall educational experience and leave a lasting impression on students.
“Learning about the Holocaust helps students develop a deep understanding of one of the darkest periods in human history,” McCarthy said. “Studying the Holocaust serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of prejudice, discrimination, and unchecked power. By understanding the factors that led to such immense suffering, students are better equipped to recognize and prevent similar atrocities in the future.”
And, students agreed.
“The Holocaust Museum really made me think about everyone involved and it put me in the victims’ shoes,” Brendan Morrin, 13, of Oak Lawn, said. “I am now eager to learn more.”
