Number the Stars Novel Study | Denmark Before World War II | Building Background

Number the Stars Novel Study | Denmark Before World War II | Building Background Knowledge

Help students enter Number the Stars with the historical and geographic context they need before they begin reading the novel. This no-prep lesson introduces students to Denmark in 1939, giving them an opportunity to investigate the country, culture, geography, government, Copenhagen, and daily life that form the backdrop of Lois Lowry’s novel.

Students work as cultural historians to create a 1939 Denmark Visitor Guide, researching what Denmark was like just before World War II changed everyday life. Rather than simply collecting facts, students analyze why Denmark’s size and location mattered, consider what ordinary life looked like before the war, and use evidence to build a fuller understanding of the novel’s setting.

What's Included
- Teacher Directions
- Denmark Before World War II overview
- Mini research questions
- Group Activity: 1939 Denmark Visitor Guide
- Research & Evidence Organizer
- Digging Deeper: What Does the Research Tell Us?
- Visitor Guide planning page
- Research, analysis, and reflection activities
- Color student pages
- Black-and-white student pages
- Suggested online research resources

Student Project
1939 Denmark Visitor Guide
Students work collaboratively to research and introduce visitors to Denmark as it existed immediately before World War II. Their guide incorporates:
- Geography and neighboring countries
- Government and Copenhagen
- Culture and daily life
- Transportation and landmarks
- Maps, visuals, and historical evidence
- A subtle “Looking Ahead” element connecting the peaceful setting to the changes approaching Europe

Why Teachers Love This
- Builds essential context before students begin the novel
- Helps students visualize Denmark as a real place rather than simply a literary setting
- Combines history, geography, research, and literature
- Moves students from research → analysis → project planning
- Encourages students to explain why historical information matters
- Works well for collaborative learning or small groups
- Designed for approximately 1–2 class periods of 45–60 minutes
- No-prep format makes it easy to print and teach

Perfect For
- Number the Stars novel studies
- Pre-reading activities
- Historical fiction units
- World War II literature
- Building background knowledge
- Grades 6–8
- ELA / English Language Arts
- Social Studies integration
- Homeschool and co-op settings

Part of the Building Background Knowledge Bundle
This lesson is part of the Number the Stars: Building Background Knowledge bundle, a collection of pre-reading lessons designed to help students understand the historical, geographic, cultural, and social context surrounding the novel before reading begins.
Use the lessons individually or together to give students a stronger foundation for understanding the people, places, circumstances, and historical events they will encounter in Number the Stars.

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