Should The Holocaust Be Taught In Schools Essay

The Holocaust is a dark event that started during World War 2, with Germans, specifically Adolf Hitler believed that the Jews were to blame for a spectrum of issues. Many also dispute the optimal age to teach the Holocaust. Why should 8th Graders be taught the Holocaust? Are they mature enough? The audience and material are critical when teaching about the Holocaust, because the audience cannot be too young, and the material needs to be appropriate, uncontroversial, and impartial.

It is important not to teach young children about the Holocaust, due to its gruesome, dark events and accounts. According to Steven Penn, an assistant principal in New Jersey, students need to focus on other things in Elementary School. However, by 7th/ 8th grade, students have gained maturity and can participate in

discussions and have a deeper understanding, to understand how dark events were. The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum publishes guidelines for teaching the Holocaust to make teaching the Holocaust as easy as possible. Educators have the responsibility of teaching a level they feel is proper for their students, keeping in mind recommendations of The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.

Some may ask, well why teach the Holocaust at all? It has been shown that when teaching the Holocaust students gain many skills while learning about the Holocaust, including critical thinking, communication, and students forming connections to other situations. By 8th grade, students have encountered many situations, and when learning about the Holocaust, connect these situations to the events of the Holocaust. Skills gained when learning, can help students later in life.
There are things to keep in mind for content. It is important to keep in mind, that some accounts of statements may be biased, giving an alternative perception of a single or multiple students, and the job of the educator is to tailor the lesson plans to the class and not intentionally promote hatred. Giving a broad spectrum of accounts, and avoid direct denial and blaming of specific people or sides without clear evidence help ensure content is optimal.
Some may say that the Holocaust should not be taught at all or not until students are in High School or even older.It is said by some that teachings can offend some, based on religious perspective and that teasing of students because of their religion is an outcome of learning.But, when taught in a manner engaging the class, these issues can be avoided and occasionally even provide a learning experience.

It has also been brought forth that there is too much content for the time typically allowed, but narrowing down the content and diving fully in is more productive and allows for more learning exploration than just exposing the content or skimming the surface. When taught in an immersive and non-biased manner, the Holocaust can be successfully taught to students in middle school.

In conclusion, teaching the Holocaust to 8th graders should occur with a few factors kept in mind. When taught correctly the Holocaust is a learning experience for all, the teacher and the students. Attention to audience and material are critical when teaching about the Holocaust, because the audience cannot be too young, and the material needs to be appropriate, uncontroversial, and

impartial.