Activity Overview
There are several themes in the poem "First They Came". Niemoller wrote these words after being liberated from Nazi concentration camps after 7 years. His words are routed deep in meaning and sincerity. For this activity, students will choose a theme and illustrate and explain it in a single storyboard cell. Teachers may choose to have students illustrate more than one theme in the same storyboard, and they can use the template provided and add cells, or use a spider map layout instead.
Examples of Themes in "First They Came"
Guilt: Niemoller felt extreme guilt for his previous anti-Semitic beliefs. He is talking about himself in this poem.
Repentance: This poem is Niemoller’s way of expressing deep remorse for the mistreatment of the Jews.
Personal Responsibility: Niemoller is taking responsibility for the part that he played in looking the other way and saying nothing.
Persecution: Niemoller names the groups of people who were persecuted and mistreated because of their beliefs.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Choose one theme of “First They Came” and illustrate and explain it.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In the header, write the theme that you have chosen.
- In the description, write a few sentences describing the importance of meaning of the theme pertaining to the poem.
- Illustrate an example of the theme using appropriate images, scenes, and characters.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Identify Theme(s) | All themes are correctly identified as important recurring topics or messages in the story. | Some themes are correctly identified, but others are missing or do not make sense with the story. | No themes are correctly identified. |
| Examples | All examples support the identified themes. Descriptions clearly say why examples are significant. | Most examples fit the identified themes. Descriptions say why examples are significant. | Most examples do not fit the identified themes. Descriptions are unclear. |
| Depiction | Storyboard cells clearly show connection with the themes and help with understanding. | Most storyboard cells help to show the themes, but some storyboard cells are difficult to understand. | Storyboard cells do not help in understanding the themes. |
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First They Came
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