Have you ever wondered how life would be for you and your family if an enemy took over our country? Number the Stars is a historical fiction book that has its setting in Nazi-controlled Denmark during World War II. You will experience life through the eyes of 10 year old Annemarie Johansen and her best friend, Ellen Rosen, as they watch their families struggle during the "relocation" of the Jews of Denmark.

Ellen, a Jew, moves into the Johansen's house and pretends to be part of the family when the Nazis begin relocating Jews. When it becomes unsafe for Ellen to stay, a series of events occur that make it necessary for Annemarie to go on a dangerous mission. Somehow she must find the strength and courage to save her best friend's life.

You and your group will complete six tasks during the four weeks spent reading this book. For a final grade, you and your group will select one of the four projects below, with teacher permission, and prepare a 15 minute presentation. Refer to the rubric below to see how the project will be graded.

 Several chapters will be read each day in class,  followed by discussion and comprehension questions. The class will work in cooperative groups on the following tasks:

• Learn more about Lois Lowry, author
• Locate and get acquainted with other Lois Lowry books
• Locate information on the Star of David and the Jewish New Year.
• Compare our New Year with the Jewish New Year
• Compose a poem about a character or group in the novel: Annemarie, Nazis, Danish Resistance members, etc.
  Use a thesaurus and rhyming dictionary to allow "tired" words to rest!
• Learn about the flag of Denmark
• Complete a cooperative learning project

http://www.carolhurst.com/authors/llowry.html 

http://www.us-israel.org/jsource/Judaism/star.html

http://www.holidays.net/highholydays/rosh.htm

http://www.holidays.net/highholydays/yom.htm

http://www.ushmm.org/outreach/denmark.htm

http://www.holidays.net/highholydays/g-d.htm

http://www.oldeducator.com/new_year's_day_traditions.htm

http://www.pip.dknet.dk/~pip261/denmark.html

thesaurus, rhyming book from classroom

books from our school library

1. Write down 5 interesting facts about Lois Lowry. List other books that she has written.  Be sure to include information available from our school library.

2.  Compose a poem about a character or group in the novel.  Some choices include Annemarie, the Nazis, Danish Resistance members, etc.

3. Research and collect facts about the Star of David. Make a poster with the facts.

4. Research and collect facts about the Jewish New Year and US New Year. Compare on a chart.

5. Click here to learn more about the flag of Denmark.  Draw a picture of the flag and explain the importance of the colors and any symbols represented.

 Select one of the following projects to present in cooperative groups as a final assessment of
Number the Stars. See the rubric.

1. Denmark

Using the link provided, as well as resource materials from our library, learn about Denmark. Share what you have learned by making travel posters or travel brochures, presenting pictures of Denmark, or use your imagination to come up with your own way to share what you have learned. Some suggestions for information are: pictures of the flag, map of Denmark, the climate, landscape, natural resources, the economy, and the part Denmark had in World War II.

Here is the link:  http://www.pip.dknet.dk/~pip261/denmark.html

Before beginning your research, make up a list with your group of what you would like to know. If you research things that you find interesting, your classmates will enjoy what you share. Make sure that each group member participates in the final presentation.

Refer to the rubric below while you are working to ensure that you earn the grade you want.

2. The Jewish Faith

You will want to learn enough to be able to explain important symbols, holidays, and customs of the Jewish faith. You may even want to share a special food or invite a Jewish friend to speak.. You can share information by explaining some of the symbols of the Jewish faith, as well as explaining special holidays and observances, such as Yom Kippur, or telling the class why Jewish people are so careful with how they refer to the name of God.  You may want to share main ideas by using posters, pictures, or writing a skit about a Jewish family celebrating a special holiday. 

Before beginning your research, make up a list with your group of what you would like to know. If you research things that you find interesting, your classmates will enjoy what you share. Make sure that each group member participates in the final presentation.

Refer to the rubric below while you are working to ensure that you earn the grade you want.

3. World War II

Introduction | Resistance

Examine how the events of World War II affected Denmark. You will need to learn about some of the reasons for the war, as well as the different sides countries took. You may want to share main ideas by using posters, pictures, or writing a skit about someone whose life was changed by the war. 

Before beginning your research, make up a list with your group of what you would like to know. If you research things that you find interesting, your classmates will enjoy what you share. Make sure that each group member participates in the final presentation.

Refer to the rubric below while you are working to ensure that you earn the grade you want.

4. Germany

When you do your report on Germany, you will want to remember that the world blamed Germany for World War I.  The German people were struggling to pay a huge war debt, had little food, and were considered to be villians by the world. Germany lost many freedoms as part of the peace treaty of World War I.  Keeping this in mind, find out why Hitler was allowed to become their leader and how he got so much power. Find out why he was rounding up all of the Jews. Did all of the Germans hate Jews, or was it just Hitler?  You may want to share main ideas by using posters, pictures, or writing a skit about someone, either a German Nazi or a Jew, who lived in Germany during World War II.  Here are some sites that will help you and your group with your research:

http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/articles/ushistory/europeanwarbeforepearl1.htm

http://www.schoolshistory.org.uk/germanyversailles.htm

http://www.ousedale.org.uk/cw/ousedaleschool2/TreatiesG.htm

http://www.mrdowling.com/706-hitler.html

Before beginning your research, make up a list with your group of what you would like to know. If you research things that you find interesting, your classmates will enjoy what you share. Make sure that each group member participates in the final presentation.

Refer to the rubric below while you are working to ensure that you earn the grade you want.