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Student Activities for The Sunflower
Essential Questions for The Sunflower
- What kind of hate is racism? Does racism exist in our society today?
- What is forgiveness?
- Who can decide if a person deserves to be forgiven?
- How do a person's beliefs affect the way they see the world?
A Synopsis of The Sunflower by Simon Wiesenthal
The Sunflower: On the Possibilities and Limits of Forgiveness by Simon Wiesenthal combines a memoir and a symposium on an event that occurred while he was held captive in a Nazi concentration camp.
One day, while Simon was on a work detail, he was stopped by a nurse who came up to him and asked if he was a Jew. After answering her, she took him into a nearby hospital building, to see Karl, a young, dying Nazi soldier. Karl’s head was completely bandaged, however, he was able to speak through a small slit created over his mouth. Nervous about being there, Simon inquires why the man requested a Jew. Karl then began to tell Simon his story, including things he did during the war that he must get off his chest before he dies.
The crux of Karl's story started with his time fighting in Russia. Karl tells of the heinous crimes he committed as a Nazi. He was forced to burn a building down, with two hundred Jews inside. As he watched, people began to jump from the windows. He and his comrades were ordered to shoot them. Later Karl’s unit moved into Crimea, where he was wounded by a grenade after the haunting memory clouded his ability to fight.
Karl tells Simon the reason he requested him: to ask forgiveness, so he may die in peace. Simon, unsure what to do, leaves the room without a word, going back to his barracks to think. The next day, when he returned to the hospital, Karl had died.
Simon felt plagued by his decision to walk away, and has never reconciled if what he did what was right. In the symposium of the book, many theologians, political leaders, and famous members of the global community wrote to discuss their opinions on the question that haunts Simon: was forgiveness right?
“The crux of the matter is, of course, the question of forgiveness. Forgetting is something that time alone takes care of, but forgiveness is an act of volition . . ."
Check out other lesson plans on history and literature during World War II and Holocaust
- The History of the Holocaust
- Introduction to World War II
- World War II: 1939-1941
- World War II: 1942-1945
- Night by Elie Wiesel
- The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
- Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
- The Sunflower by Simon Wiesenthal
- "First They Came" by Martin Niemoller
- Lily's Crossing By Patricia Reilly Giff
- White Bird by RJ Palacio
- Once by Morris Gleitzman
- Milkweed by Jerry Spinelli
- The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
- The Boy on the Wooden Box by Leon Leyson
- The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne
How Tos about The Sunflower by Simon Wiesenthal
How can I facilitate a meaningful classroom discussion about forgiveness using The Sunflower?
Begin by setting clear ground rules for respectful conversation, emphasizing empathy and active listening. Prepare open-ended questions that connect the story to students' own experiences. Encourage students to share thoughts without judgment and use think-pair-share or small group formats to help quieter students contribute. Wrap up by summarizing key perspectives and relating them to the book’s essential questions.
Create a safe space for sharing opinions.
Arrange seating in a circle and remind students that all viewpoints are valued. Model respectful language and offer sentence starters to support constructive feedback.
Connect the story’s themes to students’ lives.
Ask students to think about times when they faced forgiveness or sought it from others. Use real-world examples and relatable scenarios to make abstract ideas tangible.
Use visual aids and storyboards to spark engagement.
Encourage students to create storyboards or diagrams showing characters’ choices and emotions. Visual activities help students process complex feelings and deepen understanding.
Summarize and reflect as a group.
End the discussion with a group reflection—ask students to share one new perspective or question they now have. Use exit tickets or short written responses to gauge what they learned and any lingering thoughts.
Frequently Asked Questions about The Sunflower by Simon Wiesenthal
What is the main theme of The Sunflower by Simon Wiesenthal?
The main theme of The Sunflower centers on the complexities of forgiveness in the face of profound evil, exploring moral dilemmas, personal responsibility, and the boundaries of empathy after wartime atrocities.
How can teachers use The Sunflower in classroom discussions about forgiveness?
Teachers can use The Sunflower to spark meaningful discussions about forgiveness, ethics, and historical context. Assign students to read the memoir and symposium, then debate whether forgiveness is possible or appropriate in extreme situations.
What are some essential questions for teaching The Sunflower?
Essential questions for teaching The Sunflower include: What is forgiveness? Who has the right to forgive? How do personal beliefs shape our responses to injustice? Does racism still exist today?
Are there lesson plans or activities for The Sunflower available for K-12 teachers?
Yes, there are ready-made lesson plans and student activities for The Sunflower, including discussion prompts, analysis exercises, and creative assignments tailored for K-12 classrooms.
Why is The Sunflower an important book to include in Holocaust education?
The Sunflower is important for Holocaust education because it encourages critical thinking about morality, forgiveness, and historical memory, helping students understand the human side of history and the impact of personal choices.
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