TEACHING THROUGH TESTIMONY

Voices that teach. Stories that endure.

Most Holocaust education institutions strongly recommend incorporating survivor testimony into classroom instruction. However, using these powerful narratives requires more than simply selecting and playing an interview. Educators must approach testimony with care, purpose, and thoughtful integration into their lesson plans.

Below is a selection of pedagogical resources to help you begin using witness testimony effectively in your classroom.

Resources from Renowned Institutions

Pedagogical Points to Consider: 

  • The USHMM Guidelines for Teaching About the Holocaust state: “Strive to Balance the Perspectives that Inform Your Study of the Holocaust… Most documentation about the Holocaust comes from the perspective of the perpetrators. In contrast, survivor testimonies and collections humanize individuals in the richness and fullness of their lives.”
  • The Echoes and Reflections Pedagogical Principles for Effective Holocaust Instruction state: “Teach the Human Story. While connecting people and events to the larger story, educators should translate statistics into personal stories; use survivor and witness testimony whenever possible; emphasizing, however, that survivor voices are the exception.”

Where to Begin

For a Deeper Dive

Lesson Ideas