Event Registration

Few historical texts seem as familiar – or as compelling to read – as personal letters and diaries. They are plain-spoken, lively, and full of details. Both letters and diaries seem to emerge directly from the writer, fresh and intimate, bringing us close to who that person was. Both satisfy us by showing how people in the past shared many of our hopes, worries, and common sense. At the same time, both fascinate us by revealing differences between times past and our own time. They make us curious to explore differences in language and expressive styles, in what people felt needed saying and what did not. These differences in turn point to historical changes and continuities in self, social relations, work, and values, which personal letters and diaries capture with special sharpness. (http://historymatters.gmu.edu/mse/letters/whatkind.html)

The workshop will present and explore strategies and resources to enhance the teaching of the Diary of Anne Frank. Participants will be introduced to, and receive, instructional materials for teaching the Holocaust from Echoes and Reflections. How can we ensure that students graduate with a meaningful level of knowledge and personal understanding of the complex history of the Holocaust and its relevance to their lives and our world today?

With Echoes and Reflections, teachers can help their students:
Examine the complex social challenges they face every day
Evaluate issues of fairness and justice
Experience relevant connections to Holocaust history via real stories from real people
Determine their own roles and responsibilities in the world around them
The workshop also includes attendance at “From Historical Narrative to the Human Spirit” – a unique combination of theatre, video, and live interaction to deliver a high impact experience and an unforgettable journey through history. Featuring “Through the Eyes of a Friend” performed by Living Voices, a poignant dramatic portrait of friendship and survival is brought to life through the eyes of Anne Frank’s “best friend.”

The performance will be followed with a keynote presentation by Zlata Filipovic. A number one bestseller, Zlata Filipović wrote her diary during the Bosnian war. Described as the Anne Frank of Sarajevo, Zlata’s chronicle of her daily life and the war’s increasing impact on her home town of Sarajevo describes the horrors of war through the innocence of a child.

Following the performance and presentation, workshop attendees will interact with the performing artist and presenter in a post-show discussion session.
An optional BSU continuing education credit is available.

A sandwich buffet with sides & beverages is included with the $35 registration fee.