Number the Stars Novel Study | Jewish Life in Denmark | Community Portrait

Number the Stars Novel Study | Jewish Life in Denmark | Community Portrait Museum

Build meaningful historical background before reading Number the Stars with this no-prep investigation of Jewish life in Denmark before the October 1943 crisis.
Students explore Denmark’s Jewish community not simply as a group affected by World War II, but as neighbors, shopkeepers, doctors, teachers, friends, and fellow citizens woven into everyday Danish life. They investigate the roles Jewish citizens played in Danish society, examine what it means for a community to be integrated, and compare the Danish experience with Jewish communities in other German-occupied countries.

Students then transform their research into a Community Portrait Museum, using historical evidence to create exhibits that show what Jewish life in Denmark looked like before the crisis of 1943.

Designed for Grades 6–8, this lesson provides important context that helps students better understand what was at stake as they enter the historical world surrounding Lois Lowry’s novel.

What's Included
- Teacher Directions & Historical Overview
- Mini Research Questions & Group Activity
- 3 Student Research, Analysis & Project Planning Pages
- Community Portrait Museum Project
- Color & Black-and-White Student Pages
- Suggested Research Resources

Why Teachers Love This
- Builds essential context before students begin the novel
- Presents Jewish Danes as people and community members—not simply as victims of historical events
- Develops understanding of community, identity, belonging, and integration
- Moves students through research → analysis → interpretation → creation
- Encourages evidence-based historical thinking
- Provides structured support without replacing student thinking
- Creates natural connections between ELA and Social Studies
- Works for individuals, partners, or small groups
- Designed for 1–2 class periods of 45–60 minutes
- No-prep and ready to use

Perfect For
- Number the Stars Novel Studies
- Pre-Reading Activities
- Building Background Knowledge
- Historical Fiction Units
- World War II Studies
- Jewish History
- Holocaust Literature Units
- ELA & Social Studies Integration
- Grades 6–8
- Homeschool & Co-op Settings

Part of the Number the Stars: Building Background Knowledge Bundle
This resource is part of the Number the Stars: Building Background Knowledge bundle—a collection of pre-reading lessons designed to establish the historical, geographic, cultural, and social context students need before beginning the novel.
Use the lessons individually or together to help students understand the people, communities, places, conditions, and historical events surrounding the story so they can approach Number the Stars with stronger context and comprehension.
Disclaimer
Number the Stars is written by Lois Lowry and is the property of its respective copyright holder. This resource is an independently created educational supplement and is not affiliated with, authorized by, or endorsed by Lois Lowry, the publisher, or the copyright holder of Number the Stars. The novel is not included and must be obtained separately.

Created by GR Creative Creations