📖

Life Under Occupation

Introduction to Number the Stars

Day 39of 180
Week 8of 36
30Minutes
← Day 38Day 39 of 180Day 40 →
🖨️ Download Worksheet (PDF)
🎯 What You'll Learn

Learning Objectives

1

Understand how historical context impacts characters' lives

2

Analyze the effects of occupation on daily life

3

Develop empathy for people experiencing hardship

📖 Scripture Connection

Psalm 34:18

“Yahweh is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit.”

— Psalm 34:18 (WEB)

Demonstrates God's presence during difficult times, similar to characters in the book

📦 Materials Needed

  • Number the Stars book
  • Notebook
  • Pencils
  • Map of Denmark
  • Ration card template
📚 Step-by-Step

Lesson Plan

1Opening (5 min)

Gather students and review previous chapter's events. Display map of Denmark and discuss occupation context.

💭 Review Question: What do you know about how people lived during wartime?
2Teaching (10 min)

Read Chapter 3 of Number the Stars, pausing to discuss occupation's impact on daily life.

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • Food rationing
  • Soldier presence
  • Family fears
  • Importance of friendship
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • How might you feel if soldiers were in your neighborhood?
  • What makes people brave during difficult times?
  • How can we show kindness to others facing challenges?
3Activity: Ration Card Experience (10 min)
Hands-on simulation

Students create personal ration cards and discuss limited resources

📝 Instructions:
  1. Distribute blank ration card templates
  2. Assign limited 'food points'
  3. Discuss how to make choices with limited resources
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Pre-filled ration cards

Challenge: Negotiate trades between students

4Closing (5 min)

Reflect on chapter's themes of courage and friendship

📝 Review Questions:
  • What did you learn about life during occupation?
  • How did characters show courage?
  • What would you do in a similar situation?
🙏 Prayer:

Dear God, help us be brave and kind, even when things are difficult. Show us how to love others and stand up for what is right.

Coming up: Tomorrow we'll explore how people resisted during wartime

💎 Memory Verse

Joshua 1:9

“Be strong and courageous. Don't be afraid. Don't be discouraged, for Yahweh your God is with you wherever you go.”

— Joshua 1:9 (WEB)

🎯 Activity: Courage Chain: Write each word on a paper chain link

👨‍👩‍👧 For Parents

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

Chapter 3 introduces complexities of life during Nazi occupation

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Be sensitive to potentially scary historical content
  • Emphasize human resilience and hope
  • Encourage empathy and understanding
🤔 Common Struggles:

Children might feel anxious about historical conflict

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Compassionate responses to historical challenges

🚀 Want More?

Extension Activities

  • Research Danish resistance movements
  • Create a timeline of World War II events
  • Write a journal entry from Annemarie's perspective

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

Continue to Day 40 →Back to Literature