Holocaust Memorial Day Primary Postcard Project Lesson Plans

The HMD 2019 Postcard Project explores the theme Torn from home. Students will learn the life stories of people affected by the Holocaust and the Genocide in Cambodia, and write postcards to them. As a class you will receive a message in response. These lessons introduce the topics to Key Stage 2 (or equivalent) students in an age-appropriate way.

We have created two lesson plans for this age group, with accompanying presentations. These include creative activities, and reading, writing and comprehension exercises. The lessons focus on the two survivors that students can write to. You can do them in either order, or just choose one.
Differentiation is built in to help you adapt activities for mixed ability groups and students with SEN requirements.

Renee Bornstein lesson plan: Students are introduced in a simple way to Judaism, the Holocaust, and learn about a young girl who had to flee her home, and was helped by a very brave rescuer.

Sokphal Din lesson plan: Students are introduced to Cambodia and Cambodian culture, including a video clip of traditional dance. They learn about a teenage boy forced out of his home with his family, and a simple introduction to what happened during the Genocide in Cambodia.
Holocaust Memorial Day 2019 marks the 40th anniversary of the end of the Genocide in Cambodia.

Postcards:

You can download postcards to print yourself, or place an order to be sent free printed postcards, bundled into sets of 30 here.

You may also be interested in our assembly for primary schools.

If you are interested in learning more about the Holocaust and the Genocide in Cambodia, or if your students have further questions, our teacher information sheets give an overview of the history.