Resilience Intro Slides Voices of Resilience
Holocaust Survivor Narratives
"To forget the dead would be akin to killing them a second time." — Elie Wiesel
Today's Mission
Explore
Read a personal narrative from a survivor. What was their life like before, during, and after the Holocaust?
Synthesize
Work with your partner to pull out the most powerful moments and lessons from their story.
Create
Design a Tribute Slide or Poster that honors their legacy and teaches others about their journey.
The Archive
Your research begins at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum.
Access Link:
ushmm.org/behind-every-name
"Behind Every Name a Story"
What Goes on Your Slide or Poster?
01
Identity
Name, photo (if available), and origin of the survivor.
02
Turning Point
A specific moment that changed their survival journey.
03
Core Value
What kept them going? (Hope, family, faith, etc.)
04
The "Why"
Why did they choose to share their story with the world?
05
Key Quote
One powerful sentence from their narrative.
06
Modern Message
What is their lesson for us today in 2026?
Think Like a Curator
Museum exhibits use "visual hierarchy" — the most important stuff is the biggest!
Survivor Name & Photo (Large)
Key Context / Timeline
Core Value
"Powerful Quote Block"
Modern Message / Impact
The 50-Minute Sprint
10m
Intro
Pick survivor & start reading
30m
Build
Design Slide or Poster
10m
Exhibit
Gallery Walk & Reflection
Ready to honor their story?
Pair up and grab your organizer!
Tribute Poster Guide Tribute Poster Guide
Design Checklist & Mandatory Prompts
Project Ref: 10-ELA-RESILIENCE
Primary Source Link
ushmm.org/behind-every-name
The "Must-Haves" Checklist
Identity Block
Include their name, birth date/place, and a sketch or photo. Use large, bold font for the name.
The "Turning Point" Paragraph
3-5 sentences explaining a specific moment that changed their journey. Focus on how they survived.
The Spotlight Quote
One powerful sentence from the survivor’s essay. Use quote marks! Make this stand out visually.
The Core Value Symbol
Choose one value (e.g., Hope) and create a small visual or icon that represents it for this person.
The Modern Message
In 2-3 sentences, tell us why this story is important for people to hear in 2026.
Design Pro-Tip: Visual Hierarchy
The human eye follows the biggest and boldest items first. Make sure your survivor’s name and their most powerful quote are the largest things on your poster!
Stuck on Writing?
Use these sentence starters to get moving quickly:
Turning Point
"Everything changed for [Name] when..."
Resilience
"The core value that kept [Name] going was..."
Modern Legacy
"This story teaches us that even today, we should..."
Quality Checks
Is all text easy to read from 3 feet away?
Did you check for spelling of names/places?
Is the layout organized and balanced?
Session Success Guide Voices of Resilience: Teacher Guide
Instructional Support for 10th Grade ELA (ADHD/SLD Focused)
50 Minutes
Learning Objectives
Analyze personal narratives for key themes of resilience and historical context.
Synthesize complex historical information into a visual presentation.
Communicate the contemporary relevance of Holocaust survivor legacies.
Mandatory Source Link
USHMM: "Behind Every Name a Story"
https://www.ushmm.org/remember/holocaust-reflections-testimonies/behind-every-name-a-story
The 50-Minute Pacing Guide
00-08 min
Introduction: Use Slides 1-3 to set the tone. Slide 3 introduces the USHMM website. Distribute the Survivor Spotlight Organizer.
08-15 min
Reading: Students access the USHMM "Behind Every Name" page, select a survivor, and read. Tip: Pre-select 5-6 narratives of varying lengths to help students choose faster.
15-40 min
Creation: Students work in pairs to complete the organizer and build their slide/poster. Circulate to provide "chunking" support.
40-50 min
Gallery Walk: Digital slides can be shared on a common drive or printed posters displayed on desks. Students leave one "positive post-it" for another pair.
Supporting ADHD & SLD Learners
Executive Functioning
• Use a visual timer on the board.
• Check Part 1 of the organizer before letting students start Part 2.
• Help pairs assign clear roles (Researcher vs. Designer).
Reading & Writing
• Pre-highlight key passages in USHMM essays for students with SLD.
• Allow speech-to-text for draft responses on the organizer.
• Provide "Sentence Starter Cards" (already included in Tribute Guide).
Success Criteria
Historical Accuracy
Correct names, dates, and details from the USHMM archive.
Thematic Synthesis
Meaningful connection to core values and modern life.
Visual Impact
Effective use of hierarchy and readability.
Survivor Spotlight Organizer Internal Archive: Case No. 1945
Survivor Spotlight Organizer
"The truth of the past is the anchor of our future."
Source: ushmm.org/behind-every-name
Collaborator Name 1
Collaborator Name 2
Part 1: The Profile
Full Name of Survivor:
Hometown and Country:
Life Before the War (Brief description):
Part 2: Narrative Evidence
The Turning Point:
Identify a specific moment in the essay where the survivor's life drastically changed or they faced a major decision.
The Power of Words (Quote Selection):
Find a quote that shows their resilience. Write it exactly as it appears in the text.
Part 3: Meaning & Connection
The Core Value:
What was the primary internal strength that helped them survive? Circle one or write your own:
Hope Family Faith Bravery Kindness Luck
Modern Legacy:
Why did they share this story? What is the most important "lesson" for people living in 2026?
Part 4: Visual Layout Draft
Quickly sketch or list where elements will go on your poster or slide. Use the boxes below to map out your "Visual Hierarchy."
Main Title & Photo Block
Value Symbol
Context / Timeline
Quote Spotlight
Modern Message Area
Lead Researcher Responsibilities:
• Verify dates and spellings
• Select the final quote
• Draft the "Turning Point" text
Visual Designer Responsibilities:
• Choose colors and fonts
• Sketch the symbol/icon
• Organize the final layout
Project Rubric
Voices of Resilience: Tribute Project
Total Score
_____ / 24
Criteria Excellent (4) Solid (3) Starting (2) Research & Profile All identity facts are accurate and detailed from USHMM. Most identity facts are accurate and included. Identity facts are missing or incomplete. Narrative Analysis Turning point is clearly defined with strong context. Turning point is identified with basic context. Turning point is unclear or not identified. Legacy & "Why"
