Introduction
This pack has been created to support the primary school workshop element of Gathering The Voices.
- The aim of this project is to gather, contextualise and digitise oral testimony from men and women who sought sanctuary in Scotland to escape the racism of Nazi-dominated Europe. Initially, we are focusing on ‘survivors’ living in the Glasgow area.
- More information and resources available at http://new.gatheringthevoices.com
About
- This Teachers Pack is part of the Gathering The Voices education programme for Curriculum For Excellence Second Level and addresses experiences and outcomes in Literacy, Social Studies, Expressive Arts, Religious and Moral Education, Health and Well Being and Technologies
- The Powerpoint and series of lessons concentrate on the experience of Gretl Shapiro, one of the individuals who sought sanctuary from the racism of Nazi-dominated Austria in 1939
- In her testimony, Gretl Shapiro describes her family’s life in Vienna after the Nazis took over. She goes on to give details of her arrival in Britain in 1939 through the Kindertransport system
- Gretl was born Gretl Marle and lived from 1924 until 2012
- She traveled to London in June 1939 and eventually settled in Glasgow in 1950
Guide to activities
A) What is Testimony?
Slides 1-5 are intended as a stimulus for an introductory discussion about the image of the child’s and adult’s hands and to explore the themes of ‘letting go’ and ‘taking hold’, reflecting Gretl’s experience of leaving her family in Austria and arriving in the UK.
When I engage with others, I can respond in ways appropriate to my role, show that I value others’ contributions and use these to build on thinking.
LIT 2-02a
Slides 6-16 examine how and why oral testimony is so important; it occurs on a daily basis in classrooms when children tell tales or some incident has to be investigated. It happens in courts across the world and is also a valuable historical resource. Readily available technology means that audio and increasingly video evidence of events is becoming more relevant and pertinent in our daily lives. Understanding the importance of recorded evidence will be crucial to the success of a later task when pupils will be asked to record their own evidence.
When I engage with others, I can respond in ways appropriate to my role, show that I value others’ contributions and use these to build on thinking.
LIT 2-02a
I can persuade, argue, explore issues or express an opinion using relevant supporting detail and/or evidence.
LIT 2-29a
Downloads
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