Lesson Plan

Below you can view the lesson plans for Middle and High School Students. You can also download and print out the pdf files of the lesson plans below:


Lesson Plan for "72 HOURS" – Grades 6 - 8

Grade Level: Middle School (Grades 6–8)
Class Period: 50–60 minutes
Subject: Holocaust Education, Moral Courage, Empathy
 


Learning Objectives:

  • Reflect on the real-life story of Zakynthos and the Holocaust.
  • Analyze the concepts of moral courage, empathy, and personal responsibility.
  • Connect historical lessons to present-day choices and actions.


Materials Needed:

  • Film: 72 HOURS (already viewed by assignment)
  • Student journals or notebooks
  • Printed student handouts


Lesson Plan Outline:


1. Opening Reflection (10 minutes)

Prompt written on board:

"In 72 HOURS, many people faced dangerous choices. What does this story teach us about courage and compassion?"
  • Students write silent reflections.
  • Encourage students to focus on a specific person or moment from the film.

2. Class Discussion: Lessons from Zakynthos (15 minutes)

Discussion Questions:
  • The Nazis believed they were a superior race and that Jews were an inferior race. What do you think about that?
  • What risks did Bishop Chrysostomos and Mayor Loukas Carrer take?
  • Why do you think the people of Zakynthos helped their Jewish neighbors?
  • How did empathy influence their decisions?
  • What does this story teach us about resisting injustice?
Note to Teacher: Write key terms on the board as they emerge: courage, empathy, risk, responsibility, trust, resistance, compassion.


3. Group Activity: "If I Were There..." (20 minutes)

Divide students into small groups. Assign one scenario to each group:
  • Scenario A: You are a shopkeeper in Zakynthos. A Jewish neighbor asks for help to hide their family. What do you do? Why?
  • Scenario B: You are a classmate of a Jewish child. Your friend is frightened. What can you say or do to help them feel safe?
  • Scenario C: You are a priest or teacher who hears villagers talking about reporting Jews to the Nazis. How might you persuade them not to?
Each group discusses and prepares 2-3 key points to share with the class.


4. Modern Connections (10 minutes)

Class discussion prompts:
  • Are there situations today where people face tough choices to help others?
  • How can we show courage and empathy in our daily lives?

5. Closing Reflection:

The people of Zakynthos chose kindness over fear. Their story reminds us that even in the darkest times, individuals have the power to make a difference. I hope we all learned lessons from this real-life story and can adapt them in our everyday lives.


Optional Homework / Extension:

  • Letter Writing: Write a letter to the people of Zakynthos, explaining what you learned and how their actions inspire you.
  • Art Project: Create a poster with the message: "One person can make a difference. Together, we can save lives."

End of Lesson Materials


Lesson Plan for "72 HOURS" – Grades 9 - 12

Grade Level: High School (Grades 9–12)
Class Period: 50–60 minutes
Subject: Holocaust Education, Moral Courage, Ethics, Social Responsibility


Learning Objectives:

  • Analyze the ethical and moral decisions made by individuals during the Holocaust.
  • Examine the themes of resistance, civic responsibility and collective action.
  • Draw connections between historical events and contemporary issues related to human rights and social justice.
  • Develop critical thinking, empathy and tolerance by considering complex moral dilemmas.


Materials Needed:

  • Film: 72 HOURS (previously viewed by assignment)
  • Student journals or notebooks
  • Printed student handouts
  • Copies of select survivor testimonies and/or quotes from the film


Lesson Plan Outline:


1. Opening Reflection (10 minutes)

Prompt written on board:

"In 72 HOURS, individuals faced life-and-death decisions under extreme pressure. What motivates people to act selflessly in such dangerous situations?"
  • Students write silent reflections.
  • Encourage deeper reflection on the concepts of moral courage, societal pressure, and individual responsibility.

2. Class Discussion: Ethical Lessons from Zakynthos (15 minutes)

Discussion Questions:
  • What made the actions of Bishop Chrysostomos and Mayor Loukas Carrer extraordinary?
  • What role did community values and leadership play in the island's collective decision to protect its Jewish citizens?
  • What risks did ordinary citizens face, and what might have happened if even one person had betrayed the others?
  • How does this story challenge the notion that "ordinary people cannot make a difference"?
  • In what ways can empathy serve as a foundation for moral action?
Note to Teacher: Highlight key terms: moral courage, complicity, collective resistance, leadership, empathy, human dignity.


3. Group Activity: Complex Moral Scenarios (15 minutes)

Divide students into groups and assign each one a complex scenario for discussion:
  • Scenario A: You are a local leader in Zakynthos meeting secretly with the Bishop and Mayor. Debate whether to risk the safety of your own family to help hide Jews.
  • Scenario B: A neighbor confides that they are considering reporting Jewish families to the Nazi authorities to protect their own family. How do you respond?
  • Scenario C: Imagine you are part of a secret network helping Jewish families escape. What practical and ethical challenges would you face? How do you balance secrecy, trust, and risk?
Each group prepares a brief presentation of their reasoning and key moral considerations.


4. Modern Connections (10 minutes)

Class discussion prompts:
  • How do the moral choices faced by people in Zakynthos relate to modern issues like racism, discrimination, or standing up for marginalized groups?
  • Are there situations today where people risk personal safety or comfort to stand up for what is right?
  • What responsibilities do we have when witnessing injustice or oppression?

5. Closing Reflection:

The story of Zakynthos shows how collective courage, compassion, and moral leadership can overcome fear and oppression. Even in the darkest times, individuals and communities can stand together for human dignity. I hope we all learned these lessons from this real-life story and can adapt them in our everyday lives.