Refugee Novel Study | Josef Germany 1939 Historical Background Activity

Refugee Novel Study | Josef Germany 1939 Historical Background Activity

Help students understand Josef’s story in Refugee by Alan Gratz by giving them the historical background they need before reading his chapters.
This no-prep lesson is part of a larger Building Background Knowledge Bundle for the novel Refugee by Alan Gratz. The bundle is designed to introduce students to the real historical events, places, conflicts, and circumstances behind the novel so they can begin reading with a stronger understanding of what each character is experiencing.

In this lesson, students investigate Germany in 1939 under Nazi rule, focusing on the laws, propaganda, persecution, and growing danger faced by Jewish families. Students research historical evidence, consider how these changes affected everyday life, and make meaningful connections between the historical context and Josef’s family.

Students Will:
- Explore life in Germany in 1939
- Investigate laws and restrictions targeting Jewish citizens
- Examine Kristallnacht, propaganda, fear, and government control
- Analyze how historical events affected ordinary Jewish families
- Identify warning signs that might have caused families to consider leaving Germany
- Connect historical evidence directly to Josef’s story
- Collaborate to create a Refugee Context Gallery Exhibit
- Present their research through a Gallery Walk

What’s Included:
- Teacher Directions
- Student-friendly historical overview
- Mini research questions
- Group Activity directions
- Historical Evidence Organizer
- Historical Connection analysis
- Connection to Josef’s Story
- Gallery Exhibit planning page
- Research and presentation checklist
- Trusted online research resources
- Color and black-and-white student pages

Group Activity: Refugee Context Gallery Exhibit
Students work in small groups to research either laws restricting Jewish life or the atmosphere of fear and propaganda across German society. They use specific facts, dates, events, and historical evidence to create a Gallery Walk display that teaches classmates about life under Nazi rule. Each group also includes a historical detail that connects directly to Josef’s family's experiences in the novel.

Perfect For:
- Refugee by Alan Gratz novel studies
- Pre-reading activities
- Building background knowledge
- Middle school ELA
- Grades 6–8
- Historical fiction units
- Cross-curricular ELA & Social Studies
- Holocaust education
- Sub plans

Why Teachers Love It:
- No prep and ready to use
- Builds essential context before students encounter Josef’s story
- Moves beyond simple fact-finding into analysis and historical thinking
- Helps students understand the connection between real history and historical fiction
- Encourages research, collaboration, critical thinking, and discussion
- Provides structured student pages without over-scaffolding
- Works in approximately 1–2 class periods of 45–60 minutes each
- Includes both color and printer-friendly black-and-white versions

This resource focuses specifically on Germany in 1939 and Josef’s historical context. Look for the complete Refugee Building Background Knowledge Bundle for additional lessons designed to prepare students for the historical settings and experiences represented throughout the novel.