Resources

Number the Stars
by Lois Lowry

Here are some ideas that students need to understand:


    We need to read so that we can identify words and know what they mean.

    Words are tricky—they can often mean more than one thing. We have to pay attention to how words are being used.

    Authors don't always tell us what they believe. Sometimes we have to read what they write and make a guess about what they are thinking.

    We often discover who our true friends are when we are in serious trouble.

    There are times when people must challenge authority.

    It is important to be true to yourself.

Here are some essential questions that students should be trying to answer:

    Why does everybody make such a big deal about being a good reader? What's the pay-off for being a good reader?

    Why do authors sometimes mean something other than what they have written? Why do writers sometimes “hide” their ideas in lots of words?

    How can I find out what an author really believes or is trying to say?

    Do I have any true friends and if so, how do I know?

    Should the majority always rule?

    Is it ever right to break a law?

    Are some people really better than others?

    Can the people who lead us ever be wrong?

Here are some common misunderstandings that students may have:

    Reading is just being able to identify words.

    Authors always write exacty what they mean to say.

    It's easy to be a friend.

    Adults have all the answers.

Here are some ideas that students should explore while reading the story:

    reading for meaning

    explicit and implicit details

    the difficulty of growing up

    true friendship

    knowing right from wrong

    resisting injustice

    journeys

    how things and people change (transformations)

    looking for the truth (especially when the truth is a hard thing to face)

    symbols—things that are messages/ideas in disguise

    different kinds of bravery (for example, the bravery of ordinary people)



Here is a glossary of terms that will help students understand the text

Why should we study the holocaust?


Carol Hurst has some useful ideas about studying Lowry's book.


Take a look at some of the Class Zone ideas related to the book.


Planet Bookclub Online has quite a few good resources.


Jim Cornish has many resources on his elementary themes page (for example, look at his History Behind the Story link).


Calgary's Number the Stars background information will prove very useful.


Your students may find it helpful to complete a Number the Stars webquest.


Here are some online questions for each chapter of the book.


King's Social Science resources provides an outline of the historical events leading up to World War I.


A Teacher's Guide to the Holocaust has an extensive list of people who rescued Jews during the Holocaust.


Here are four very good Holocaust resources. Make sure you look at Children of the Holocaust.


Here is a gallery of Holocaust related images.


Students should learn more about the history of the star of David.


The Cybrary and the Holocaust Memorial Museum have a wealth of rich resources.


Pupils might also benefit from seeing the Anne Frank Online collection.