Number the Stars - An Educational Website for Teachers and Students

For Teachers

Integration ideas for before, during and after reading:

The ABC’s of Number the Stars: Have the students list out all of the letters of the alphabet from A to Z. Then have the students write one word for each letter that describes some aspect of the novel. Let the students discuss in partners and then generate a large list as a class. This can be used as a jumping off point for discussing important themes and aspects of the novel.

One-page mysteries: The novel utilizes a lot of foreshadowing. Discuss with your students what foreshadowing entails and how Lois Lowry sets it up in her writing. Then ask students to write a one-page mystery paper that utilizes foreshadowing. This can be used as a literary extension to discuss writing techniques.

Before you have the students start reading the novel, create a worksheet that has tough moral and ethical issues that will be raised in the novel. For instance, one such issue that is explicated in the novel is the issue of subjugation. One statement, therefore, could be “Is it okay for powerful groups of people to suppress the rights of people in regards to a population’s religion, beliefs, characteristics, etc.” Then invite the students to agree or disagree with the statement being sure to explain why they feel one way or the other. This can be used as a pre-reading discussion that will raise a multitude of issues that will be discussed and explored in the novel.

To tie in expository text, have the students research children of the Holocaust and do mini-presentations on their findings. Have them look for such things as the child’s age, religious affiliation, location, home life, etc. to ensure that student’s understand the multitude of issues that were being flouted and ignored by the Nazis during World War II.
Have students look at famous pictures of the Holocaust. Using Photoshop, have students photoshop him/herself into the photograph. Follow this up by asking students to write about how identity is shaped or altered by traumatic experiences.