Anne Frank Obituary Lesson

Objective:
TLW (The Learner Will) demonstrate knowledge of the life and accomplishments of Anne Frank by writing her obituary.

Purpose:
1. To demonstrate knowledge of the life and accomplishments of Anne Frank.
2. To demonstrate ability to conduct research.
3. To demonstrate ability to conduct research using the internet.
4. To demonstrate an understanding of historical sources.

Materials:
1. Computer Lab
2. Textbook
3. Supplemental Research Material (Provided by teacher, if relevant)
4. Sample Obituaries (Provided by teacher)

Procedure:
1. Research the life of Anne Frank (website: http://www.ushmm.org/museum/exhibit/online/af/htmlsite/)

2. Write Anne's obituary. Be sure to include the following information:
A. Give details of Anne’s life from her childhood
to her death.
B. List important facts about her life (family, what struggles did she go through?)
C. Include details of her accomplishments (writing a diary, short stories etc).
D. Should include your views on the personality of Anne. What were her opinions on the world? How do her opinions of the world change over time? Why do you think?
E. After reading your obituary the reader should have an understanding of why Anne Frank is still remembered and studied. What message would she want people to get out of her life? What would Anne want people to learn from reading her diary?
F. Length: should be at least one page.

Conclusions:
This is a good lesson to not only teach research skills, but reinforce previously taught material, such as types of historical sources.

In addition, if each student is given a different historical figure to research and present orally to the class, it would allow for indepth exposure to a larger range of personalities than could reasonably be covered by a teacher in a unit.