📖

Pretending Ellen Is Family

Deception for Good

Day 46of 180
Week 10of 36
35Minutes
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🎯 What You'll Learn

Learning Objectives

1

Understand moral complexity in protecting others

2

Analyze characters' motivations in Number the Stars

3

Develop empathy for people in challenging historical situations

📖 Scripture Connection

Proverbs 24:11

“Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter.”

— Proverbs 24:11 (WEB)

Demonstrates the biblical principle of protecting the vulnerable

📦 Materials Needed

  • Number the Stars book
  • Colored pencils
  • Character map worksheet
  • Bible
📚 Step-by-Step

Lesson Plan

1Opening (5 min)

Gather students and review previous chapters of Number the Stars. Discuss the current situation of Ellen and the Johansen family.

💭 Review Question: What risks are the Johansens taking by helping Ellen?
2Teaching (15 min)

Explore the moral complexity of protecting Ellen by pretending she is part of the family during a dangerous time in Danish history.

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • Understanding the Nazi threat to Jewish people
  • The courage of those who risked their lives to help others
  • The difference between harmful and protective deception
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • Why might telling a lie sometimes be the right thing to do?
  • How do you think Ellen feels about pretending to be part of the Johansen family?
  • What would you do in a similar situation?
3Activity: Character Empathy Map (10 min)
hands-on

Students create a visual map showing Ellen's emotions, fears, and hopes during this challenging time.

📝 Instructions:
  1. Draw a large outline of Ellen's face
  2. In different sections, write or draw:
  3. - What she might be thinking
  4. - What she might be feeling
  5. - What she hopes will happen
  6. - What she's afraid of
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Use pre-drawn template with guided questions

Challenge: Write a short first-person narrative from Ellen's perspective

4Closing (5 min)

Reflect on the importance of compassion and protecting others.

📝 Review Questions:
  • What makes the Johansens' actions brave?
  • How can we show kindness to people who are different from us?
🙏 Prayer:

Dear God, help us to be brave and kind, to protect those who are vulnerable, and to show love even in difficult times.

Coming up: Tomorrow we'll read about a tense moment when soldiers might discover Ellen's true identity.

💎 Memory Verse

Matthew 5:44

“But I tell you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you.”

— Matthew 5:44 (WEB)

🎯 Activity: Love Chain: Students create a paper chain, writing acts of kindness on each link

👨‍👩‍👧 For Parents

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

The lesson explores complex moral questions about protection and truth during the Holocaust.

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Be sensitive to the historical context
  • Emphasize the importance of compassion
  • Help children understand nuanced moral situations
🤔 Common Struggles:

Children might find it difficult to understand why lying could sometimes be considered right.

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Empathy, understanding of historical context, ability to discuss moral complexity

🚀 Want More?

Extension Activities

  • Research Danish resistance during World War II
  • Create a timeline of events in the book
  • Write a letter from Ellen's perspective

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

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