ARCHIVE for HMD2011: Untold Stories
The case studies and related education resources for HMD2011, Untold Stories, have been archived. The Holocaust Memorial Day Trust is currently focusing on the theme for this year, Speak Up, Speak Out.
HMD 2011 Maths Primary
When we think about the events of the Holocaust it is important to remember the Untold Stories of the individuals represented in frequently quoted statistics. These suggestions for a Primary Maths lesson encourage students to use their skills in mathematics to help people think of the human stories behind the statistics which are so easy to focus upon when we talk about the Holocaust and subsequent genocides. If students make their calculations just after hearing the Untold Stories of the St Louis Case Study they will understand the real hardship faced by the passengers who had to spend so long at sea. The same class could lead the Primary Assembly for HMD and share the results of the Maths tasks with the rest of the school or they could also work on the additional ICT/Maths lesson and combine all their research.
Tell the students how their skills in Maths can be useful when they want to share an important message with other people. Explain that sometimes people read stories but do not think very carefully about the numbers they find inside them. Maths students are very important people because they can explain what the numbers really mean so that people understand what the story is trying to tell them.
Share the story of the SS St Louis and show the related presentation.
You can download the complete lesson plan below. Please don’t forget to order our free Campaign Pack which will assist you in your activities for HMD 2011. The pack contains free posters, a film, advice and hand out material.
- Maths Primary Lesson (PDF: 81954 KB)