Building background knowledge and acquiring information as to what was occurring at that time in history is essential to comprehension. Throughout reading both Night and The Book Thief I found myself researching more into the Jewish religion and what the words through Night meant, particularly the terms that related to the Jewish religion. I also found myself becoming more interested in the happenings of World War II. Because The Book Thief is a fictional story I found myself judging the accuracy of the happenings. This would be extremely beneficial to students as a pre-reading activity. Allowing students to research the context of the Second World War and then while reading compare the validity and effects of World War II on characters in Night and The Book Thief.
Websites and Links to Resources Used to Learn More about the Second World War:
http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/history/second-world-war
http://www.myjewishlearning.com/history/Modern_History/1914-1948/The_Holocaust/War/Ghettos.shtml
One particular website that would be beneficial for students to view is:
http://www.ushmm.org/information/exhibitions/online-features/online-exhibitions
This website leads to a virtual tour of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. This would allow students to view videos, articles and many other sources of information concerning World War II and the Holocaust. This website would be a starting place for students to begin to gain background knowledge about World War II prior to reading Night or The Book Thief.
Websites and Links to Resources Used to Learn More about the Second World War:
http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/history/second-world-war
http://www.myjewishlearning.com/history/Modern_History/1914-1948/The_Holocaust/War/Ghettos.shtml
One particular website that would be beneficial for students to view is:
http://www.ushmm.org/information/exhibitions/online-features/online-exhibitions
This website leads to a virtual tour of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. This would allow students to view videos, articles and many other sources of information concerning World War II and the Holocaust. This website would be a starting place for students to begin to gain background knowledge about World War II prior to reading Night or The Book Thief.