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Guide

Viewing Guide: The Power of Propaganda

English language arts teacher Jackie Rubino is preparing to teach the memoir Night, by Elie Wiesel. In order to build students’ historical understanding, Ms. Rubino leads her class in a lesson on the power of Nazi propaganda. Images from children’s books, Nazi recruitment posters, posters from the Hitler Youth, and other resources are shared via a gallery walk, after which students consider five discussion questions in small groups.

Last Updated: July 19, 2022

Guide

Language

English — US

Subject

English & Language Arts
History
Social Studies

Propaganda

Mini-Lesson

This is the second mini-lesson in a two-part series on the impact of generative AI tools such as ChatGPT and DALL-E on education.

Students in classroom work on their laptops.

Lesson

Students analyze several examples of Nazi propaganda and consider how the Nazis used media to influence the thoughts, feelings, and actions of individual Germans.

An issue of the antisemitic propaganda newspaper Der Stürmer (The Attacker) is posted on the sidewalk in Worms, Germany, in 1935. The headline above the case says, ""The Jews Are Our Misfortune.""

Mini-Lesson

Explore media bias using recent news coverage of controversial events and help students think about what healthy news habits they want to adopt.

Image of boy looking at phone on bus.

Lesson

Students define propaganda and practice an image-analysis activity on a piece of propaganda from Nazi Germany.

A crowd salutes Nazi Leader Adolf Hitler outside the Reich Chancellery in Berlin after a plebiscite, which gave Hitler absolute power as German Fuhrer. August 19, 1934.

Mini-Lesson

Explore questions around the power of social media influencers and consider who has the ability to counter online hate.

Graphic of online usernames.

Activity

Students develop their vocabulary for describing their feelings and work their empathy muscles by reflecting on the color of their mood.

Two middle school students write with pencils on a big paper activity.

Activity

Students practice gratitude by naming and recording three good things that have happened that day.

Two students look to the front of the classroom with smiles on their faces.

Activity

Students use poetry as a spark for reflection and discussion about what’s happening in their lives and the world.

Four students in conversation with each other in a classroom.

Activity

Students practice debate and perspective taking by taking a stand on a controversial statement.

Students move around the classroom in conversation with each other. One student looks directly into the camera with a smile on their face.

Activity

Students reflect on the day by asking them to share an appreciation, an apology, and an “aha” moment.

Student writes in a classroom

Activity

Students identify one personal or academic goal that they would like to commit to in the week ahead.

A Facing History journal sits on top of a student guide for Choices in Little Rock.

Activity

Students reflect on the past year and generate ideas for the kind of learning community and learning experiences they are hoping for this year.

Four students in conversation with each other in a classroom.

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Using the strategies from Facing History is almost like an awakening.

— Claudia Bautista, Santa Monica, Calif

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