Activity Overview
The 5 Ws are a powerful and simple way for students to get an overview of a topic and better enhance their understanding. By creating a spider map or narrative storyboard that showcases the 5Ws, students can demonstrate their knowledge using concise descriptions and visual scenes. Giving students a visual with each category helps students to better understand and remember the details and importance of the topic.
When learning about the Who, What, When, Where, and Why of the Holocaust, students may need teachers to provide a variety of resources. The use of diverse resources such as primary sources, videos, readings from textbooks, encyclopedias and literature can be helpful for students to gain an accurate and complete picture of the time period. Students can use graphic organizers with spaces for the 5Ws and to write down their notes while they read or watch.
After learning about the Holocaust, students will create a spider map to explain the 5Ws about this complex topic. They will create scenes and a short description to answer the following questions about The Holocaust: What was the Holocaust? When did the Holocaust occur? Who was affected by it? Where did it occur? Why did it happen and/or why did it continue for so long?
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 spider map that answers the following questions about the Holocaust: What was the Holocaust? When did the Holocaust occur? Who was affected by it? Where did it occur? Why did it happen? and/or Why did it continue for so long?
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In the description boxes, write a concise statement that answers the question.
- Create a picture for each cell using appropriate scenes, characters, and items to illustrate your answer.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 5 Points | Emerging 3 Points | Beginning 1 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Explanation | The student clearly, thoroughly, accurately chooses and answers the who, what, where, when, and why questions. | The student chooses and answers the who, what, where, when, and why questions. Some of the information is clear, thorough, and accurate. | The who, what, where, when, and why questions and answers are incomplete, confusing, or inaccurate. |
| Illustrations | The illustrations represent the written information using appropriate scenes, characters and items. | The illustrations relate to the written information, but are difficult to understand. | The illustrations do not clearly relate to the written information. |
| Evidence of Effort | Work is well written and carefully thought out. | Work shows some evidence of effort. | Work shows little evidence of any effort. |
| Conventions | Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are mostly correct. | Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are somewhat correct. | Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are mostly incorrect. |
Activity Overview
The 5 Ws are a powerful and simple way for students to get an overview of a topic and better enhance their understanding. By creating a spider map or narrative storyboard that showcases the 5Ws, students can demonstrate their knowledge using concise descriptions and visual scenes. Giving students a visual with each category helps students to better understand and remember the details and importance of the topic.
When learning about the Who, What, When, Where, and Why of the Holocaust, students may need teachers to provide a variety of resources. The use of diverse resources such as primary sources, videos, readings from textbooks, encyclopedias and literature can be helpful for students to gain an accurate and complete picture of the time period. Students can use graphic organizers with spaces for the 5Ws and to write down their notes while they read or watch.
After learning about the Holocaust, students will create a spider map to explain the 5Ws about this complex topic. They will create scenes and a short description to answer the following questions about The Holocaust: What was the Holocaust? When did the Holocaust occur? Who was affected by it? Where did it occur? Why did it happen and/or why did it continue for so long?
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 spider map that answers the following questions about the Holocaust: What was the Holocaust? When did the Holocaust occur? Who was affected by it? Where did it occur? Why did it happen? and/or Why did it continue for so long?
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In the description boxes, write a concise statement that answers the question.
- Create a picture for each cell using appropriate scenes, characters, and items to illustrate your answer.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 5 Points | Emerging 3 Points | Beginning 1 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Explanation | The student clearly, thoroughly, accurately chooses and answers the who, what, where, when, and why questions. | The student chooses and answers the who, what, where, when, and why questions. Some of the information is clear, thorough, and accurate. | The who, what, where, when, and why questions and answers are incomplete, confusing, or inaccurate. |
| Illustrations | The illustrations represent the written information using appropriate scenes, characters and items. | The illustrations relate to the written information, but are difficult to understand. | The illustrations do not clearly relate to the written information. |
| Evidence of Effort | Work is well written and carefully thought out. | Work shows some evidence of effort. | Work shows little evidence of any effort. |
| Conventions | Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are mostly correct. | Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are somewhat correct. | Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are mostly incorrect. |
How Tos about The 5Ws of the Holocaust
Incorporate primary sources into your 5Ws Holocaust lesson for deeper student engagement
Primary sources give students a direct window into history and make learning more authentic. Using them helps students connect to real voices and events, deepening their understanding of the Holocaust.
Select age-appropriate primary sources for your class
Choose documents, images, or survivor testimonies that are suitable for your students’ grade level and maturity. Preview materials first to ensure they are sensitive and educational for your classroom.
Introduce primary sources with context and clear instructions
Explain what each primary source is, who created it, and why it matters. Give students guiding questions so they know what to look for as they examine the materials.
Guide students in analyzing and recording information using the 5Ws framework
Encourage students to extract details from the primary sources that answer the Who, What, When, Where, and Why of the Holocaust. Model how to fill in their spider map or graphic organizer with evidence from the sources.
Facilitate a class discussion to share findings and foster empathy
Invite students to share what they discovered from the primary sources and how it changed their perspective. Emphasize respectful listening and thoughtful reflection to build understanding and empathy.
Frequently Asked Questions about The 5Ws of the Holocaust
What are the 5 Ws of the Holocaust?
The 5 Ws of the Holocaust are Who, What, When, Where, and Why. They help students understand key facts: who was involved, what happened, when and where it took place, and why it occurred or persisted.
How can I teach the Holocaust using the 5 Ws approach?
Teaching the Holocaust with the 5 Ws involves asking students to answer who, what, when, where, and why about the event using graphic organizers, spider maps, and visual storytelling. This method helps students organize complex information and deepen understanding.
What is a spider map for the 5 Ws of the Holocaust?
A spider map is a graphic organizer where students place the Holocaust at the center and branch out to answer the 5 Ws in separate sections. Each branch includes descriptions and visuals to illustrate the key details for each question.
Why is it important to use diverse resources when teaching the Holocaust?
Using diverse resources like primary sources, videos, and literature gives students a fuller, more accurate understanding of the Holocaust. It helps address different learning styles and provides multiple perspectives on this complex topic.
What grade levels is the 5 Ws Holocaust lesson suitable for?
This 5 Ws Holocaust lesson is designed for students in grades 6-12, making it adaptable for middle and high school classrooms.
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