Activity Overview
Tracking Elie’s life as he explains it in the novel is important for making connections with the story. Night is an exemplary novel for students to use to connect to on many different levels. In this activity, students will create a timeline to make text to world (History) connections. As part of learning about the Holocaust, students can use Elie Wiesel’s first hand experience of the atrocities to help further understand the political and factual occurrences during the war. They may also want to supplement their timeline with additional research.
Example Timeline of Night
| 1941 | Elie is introducedElie is 12 years old and is studying the Kabbalah. He is curious about his faith. He urges his father to teach him Jewish mysticism. His father declines, saying he is too young. Elie finds Moshe the Beadle who becomes his Rabbi (Teacher). |
|---|---|
| 1942 | Moshe Warns of AtrocitiesThe Hungarian government sends for all foreign Jews who could not prove Hungarian citizenship. They are deported to Nazi-held Poland. On the way the SS murder them. Moshe is able to escape and returns to Sighet to tell his story, but no one believes him. |
| 1943 | The Calm Before the StormElie celebrates his bar mitzvah and continues to study the Bible and other Jewish books. |
| 1944 | German OccupationIn March, Sighet is occupied. Jews are forced to wear stars. Soon their businesses are shut down. |
| 1944 | Then Came the GhettosIn May, Jewish homes are raided and they are forced into the ghettos. |
| 1944 | Transport to AuschwitzAt the end of May, Elie’s father learns that all the Jews will be transported to a concentration camp. They are expelled from the ghettos and forced onto cattle cars by the hundreds. Once at Auschwitz, Elie and his father lie to survive. |
| 1944 -1945 | Life in the CampFor seven months, Elie and his father work in the concentration camps of Auschwitz and Buna. |
| 1945 | SS Units Evacuate Auschwitz / Death MarchOver the winter, Elie's foot becomes infected, and in January, he requires an operation. With the Red Army advancing, the SS evacuates the camp and forces the prisoners on a 50 mile death march to Buchenwald. Of the 20,000 who left the camp only 6,000 survive. |
| 1945 | Elie's Father Dies/ ShlomoJanuary 29: The prisoners arrive at Buchenwald, but Shlomo Wiesel dies of dysentery, starvation, and exhaustion. Elie becomes guilt stricken with feelings of relief and sadness. |
| 1945 | Liberation in AprilElie is liberated and sent to France, where he spends time recovering from intestinal issues. “From the depths of the mirror, a corpse gazed back at me. The look in his eyes, as they stared into mine, has never left me. |
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a timeline of major events that took place in Elie Wiesel's life.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In the description boxes, write brief summary of each event.
- Create an illustration for each cell using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 33 Points | Emerging 25 Points | Beginning 17 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Events and Dates | The events chosen for the timeline are significant and important to the overall understanding of the time period. The dates provided are correct. | Most of the events chosen for the timeline are significant and important to the overall understanding of the time period. Most of the dates provided are correct. | Some of the events chosen for the timeline are significant. There may be missing events, or events that are irrelevant. Too many dates may be incorrect. |
| Explanations/Descriptions | The explanations or descriptions provided for each event are accurate and provide insight into the significance of the events. | The explanations or descriptions provided for each event are mostly accurate and attempt to provide insight into the significance of the events. | There are several glaring inaccuracies in the explanations or descriptions of the events. There may be little or no insight int the significance of the events, or the information provided may be too limited or missing. |
| English Conventions | There are 0-2 mistakes in spelling, grammar, and mechanics. | There are 3-4 mistakes in spelling, grammar, and mechanics. | There are 5 or more mistakes in spelling, grammar, and mechanics. |
Activity Overview
Tracking Elie’s life as he explains it in the novel is important for making connections with the story. Night is an exemplary novel for students to use to connect to on many different levels. In this activity, students will create a timeline to make text to world (History) connections. As part of learning about the Holocaust, students can use Elie Wiesel’s first hand experience of the atrocities to help further understand the political and factual occurrences during the war. They may also want to supplement their timeline with additional research.
Example Timeline of Night
| 1941 | Elie is introducedElie is 12 years old and is studying the Kabbalah. He is curious about his faith. He urges his father to teach him Jewish mysticism. His father declines, saying he is too young. Elie finds Moshe the Beadle who becomes his Rabbi (Teacher). |
|---|---|
| 1942 | Moshe Warns of AtrocitiesThe Hungarian government sends for all foreign Jews who could not prove Hungarian citizenship. They are deported to Nazi-held Poland. On the way the SS murder them. Moshe is able to escape and returns to Sighet to tell his story, but no one believes him. |
| 1943 | The Calm Before the StormElie celebrates his bar mitzvah and continues to study the Bible and other Jewish books. |
| 1944 | German OccupationIn March, Sighet is occupied. Jews are forced to wear stars. Soon their businesses are shut down. |
| 1944 | Then Came the GhettosIn May, Jewish homes are raided and they are forced into the ghettos. |
| 1944 | Transport to AuschwitzAt the end of May, Elie’s father learns that all the Jews will be transported to a concentration camp. They are expelled from the ghettos and forced onto cattle cars by the hundreds. Once at Auschwitz, Elie and his father lie to survive. |
| 1944 -1945 | Life in the CampFor seven months, Elie and his father work in the concentration camps of Auschwitz and Buna. |
| 1945 | SS Units Evacuate Auschwitz / Death MarchOver the winter, Elie's foot becomes infected, and in January, he requires an operation. With the Red Army advancing, the SS evacuates the camp and forces the prisoners on a 50 mile death march to Buchenwald. Of the 20,000 who left the camp only 6,000 survive. |
| 1945 | Elie's Father Dies/ ShlomoJanuary 29: The prisoners arrive at Buchenwald, but Shlomo Wiesel dies of dysentery, starvation, and exhaustion. Elie becomes guilt stricken with feelings of relief and sadness. |
| 1945 | Liberation in AprilElie is liberated and sent to France, where he spends time recovering from intestinal issues. “From the depths of the mirror, a corpse gazed back at me. The look in his eyes, as they stared into mine, has never left me. |
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a timeline of major events that took place in Elie Wiesel's life.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In the description boxes, write brief summary of each event.
- Create an illustration for each cell using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 33 Points | Emerging 25 Points | Beginning 17 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Events and Dates | The events chosen for the timeline are significant and important to the overall understanding of the time period. The dates provided are correct. | Most of the events chosen for the timeline are significant and important to the overall understanding of the time period. Most of the dates provided are correct. | Some of the events chosen for the timeline are significant. There may be missing events, or events that are irrelevant. Too many dates may be incorrect. |
| Explanations/Descriptions | The explanations or descriptions provided for each event are accurate and provide insight into the significance of the events. | The explanations or descriptions provided for each event are mostly accurate and attempt to provide insight into the significance of the events. | There are several glaring inaccuracies in the explanations or descriptions of the events. There may be little or no insight int the significance of the events, or the information provided may be too limited or missing. |
| English Conventions | There are 0-2 mistakes in spelling, grammar, and mechanics. | There are 3-4 mistakes in spelling, grammar, and mechanics. | There are 5 or more mistakes in spelling, grammar, and mechanics. |
How Tos about Timeline of Elie Wiesel\'s Life
How to help students connect Elie Wiesel's timeline to their own lives
Encourage students to relate events from Elie’s timeline to personal or family milestones. This fosters empathy and a deeper understanding of historical impact.
Guide students in creating a 'Text-to-Self' reflection journal
Ask students to keep a journal as they build the timeline, noting feelings, questions, and connections to their own experiences. This personalizes learning and supports social-emotional growth.
Facilitate group sharing of timeline reflections
Organize small group sessions where students share their timeline events and reflections. This builds classroom community and helps students see diverse perspectives.
Integrate visual and creative elements into timelines
Provide options for students to add drawings, symbols, or digital images to their timelines. This engages multiple learning styles and makes the activity more memorable.
Connect timeline events to key historical themes
Highlight how specific events in Elie’s life reflect larger themes such as resilience, loss, and hope. This deepens comprehension and situates personal stories within historical context.
Frequently Asked Questions about Timeline of Elie Wiesel\'s Life
What are the key events in Elie Wiesel's life as described in 'Night'?
Key events in Elie Wiesel's life, as described in Night, include his early religious studies, the deportation of Jews from Sighet, life in concentration camps like Auschwitz and Buna, the death march to Buchenwald, the loss of his father, and his eventual liberation in 1945.
How can students create a timeline of Elie Wiesel's experiences in 'Night'?
To create a timeline, students should identify major life events from the novel, write short summaries for each, and illustrate key moments. Using research and the text, they can connect Elie's personal story to broader historical events of the Holocaust.
Why is making a timeline of 'Night' helpful for understanding the Holocaust?
Building a timeline helps students visualize the sequence of events and better grasp the historical context. It connects Elie’s personal journey to broader Holocaust history, aiding empathy and critical thinking.
What are some tips for teaching 'Night' by Elie Wiesel to high school students?
Effective tips include using timelines, encouraging discussion about text-to-world connections, incorporating primary sources, and supporting students with guided questions to process difficult topics.
What important lessons can students learn from Elie Wiesel's timeline?
Students can learn about resilience, the consequences of intolerance, and the importance of remembering history to prevent future atrocities. Elie’s timeline highlights personal and historical impacts of the Holocaust.
More Storyboard That Activities
Night
Testimonials
“By using the product, they were so excited and they learned so much...”–K-5 Librarian and Instructinal Technology Teacher
“I'm doing a Napoleon timeline and I'm having [students] determine whether or not Napoleon was a good guy or a bad guy or somewhere in between.”–History and Special Ed Teacher
“Students get to be creative with Storyboard That and there's so many visuals for them to pick from... It makes it really accessible for all students in the class.”–Third Grade Teacher
© 2025 - Clever Prototypes, LLC - All rights reserved.
StoryboardThat is a trademark of Clever Prototypes, LLC, and Registered in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
