international holocaust remembrance day
The United Nations General Assembly designated January 27—the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau—as International Holocaust Remembrance Day, a time to remember the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust and the millions of other victims of Nazi persecution.
As we are witnessing an alarming rise of antisemitism around the globe, it is more important than ever for us to recognize the critical lessons of Holocaust history as we commemorate the victims and honor the survivors.

Below is a list of appropriate, unbiased resources for students in grades K-12 to learn about International Holocaust Memorial Day. These resources provide educational material that is factual, sensitive, and suitable for young learners at different grade levels.

K-5
(Elementary School)
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM) – “For Children”
The USHMM offers resources specifically designed for younger learners. These include age-appropriate explanations of the Holocaust, videos, and interactive tools.
Facing History & Ourselves
“The Holocaust: A Learning Site for Kids”
Facing History provides resources that help students understand the consequences of intolerance and prejudice through stories and historical facts.
Paper Clips is the moving and inspiring documentary film that captures how these students responded to lessons about the Holocaust-with a promise to honor every lost soul by collecting one paper clip for each individual exterminated by the Nazis. Despite the fact that they had previously been unaware of and unfamiliar with the Holocaust, their dedication was absolute. Their plan was simple but profound. The amazing result, a memorial railcar filled with 11 million paper clips (representing six million Jews and five million gypsies, homosexuals and other victims of the Holocaust) which stands permanently in their schoolyard, is an unforgettable lesson of how a committed group of children and educators can make a difference.
RECOMMENDED BOOKS
“The Butterfly” by Patricia Polacco
Book Summary: A picture book based on the true story of a young girl and her family’s escape from the Holocaust. The narrative is accessible to young children and conveys the impact of the Holocaust in an age-appropriate manner.
“The Story of the Holocaust” by Judy Press
Book Summary: A simplified, illustrated version of the Holocaust story, with focus on the experiences of Jewish children during the Holocaust. This book is designed for younger children, emphasizing hope, remembrance, and education.
6-8
(MIDDLE School)
Yad Vashem – Educational Resources for Schools
Yad Vashem’s educational platform includes multimedia resources, lesson plans, and survivor testimonies, suitable for middle school students exploring the Holocaust in a respectful manner.
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM)
“A Teacher’s Guide to the Holocaust” is aimed at educators, however it contains valuable teaching materials such as lesson plans, survivor stories, and age-appropriate resources that are effective for middle school students.
RECOMMENDED BOOKS
“Number the Stars” by Lois Lowry
Book Summary: A historical novel that tells the story of a young Danish girl who helps a Jewish family escape the Nazis. This book is a powerful way to introduce the Holocaust’s human impact to middle schoolers.
“The Holocaust: A New History” by Laurence Rees
Book Summary: This is a well-balanced and accessible historical account suitable for middle schoolers, providing an understanding of the Holocaust in clear and thoughtful language.


9-12
(HIGH School)
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM)
USHMM offers interactive online programs, webinars, and digital resources that allow high school students to explore various aspects of the Holocaust in depth.
Holocaust Education & Archive Research Team (HEART)
This site provides a range of academic-level resources, survivor interviews, historical context, and articles on the Holocaust for high school students.
Facing History & Ourselves – “The Holocaust”
Facing History offers lesson plans, documentaries, survivor stories, and primary-source materials that help high school students grapple with the complexities of the Holocaust and its modern-day implications.
Anne Frank House – Education Resources
The Anne Frank House provides online educational tools, including materials to support learning about the Holocaust through the lens of Anne Frank’s life and legacy.
RECOMMENDED BOOKS
“The Diary of Anne Frank”
Book Summary: This famous first-hand account of a Jewish teenager hiding from the Nazis during the Holocaust is a profound introduction to the personal experiences of Holocaust victims. It is often taught in high school classrooms.
“Night” by Elie Wiesel
Book Summary: This is a powerful autobiographical account of Wiesel's experience in Nazi concentration camps, written for older students. The themes of memory, trauma, and human dignity are explored, and it is a staple for high school curricula on the Holocaust.
GENERAL
(FOR ALL AGES)
International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA)
The IHRA offers a wealth of resources on Holocaust education, including guides, lesson plans, and educational tools suitable for all ages, with a focus on remembrance and combating antisemitism.
The Holocaust Education Trust
The Trust provides various educational materials, including videos, articles, and lesson plans, to help explain the Holocaust in a way that is respectful, factual, and appropriate for different age groups.
“Auschwitz: The Past Is Present” (PBS Documentary)
This PBS documentary provides a sensitive exploration of Auschwitz’s history, including survivor stories, and is suitable for high school students. The content is educational but requires adult guidance for younger audiences.
FREE Teacher Trainings for International Holocaust Remembrance Day can be found here, many of these also offer a certificate and/or graduate credit:
