Number the Stars Novel Study Life Under Nazi Occupation| Occupation Survival Kit

Number the Stars Novel Study | Life Under Nazi Occupation | Occupation Survival Kit

Build the historical background students need before reading Number the Stars with this no-prep investigation of everyday life in Denmark under Nazi occupation.

Instead of focusing only on battles and major political events, students investigate what occupation meant for ordinary Danish families. They explore curfews and restrictions, rationing and shortages, censorship, transportation, shopping, and changing routines—and consider how families adapted when everyday choices became increasingly limited.

Students then apply their research by creating an Occupation Survival Kit that uses historically supported items and symbols to represent the challenges of occupation and the ways Danish families adjusted to them.

Designed for Grades 6–8, this lesson provides meaningful historical context for the setting and circumstances students will encounter in Lois Lowry’s Number the Stars.

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

Why Teachers Love This
- Builds important context before students begin the novel
- Makes daily life under occupation understandable for middle school students
- Focuses on ordinary people rather than only major wartime events
- Moves students through research → analysis → application → creation
- Develops historical thinking and evidence-based reasoning
- Provides structure while still requiring independent student thinking
- Naturally integrates 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
- Nazi Occupation of Denmark
- 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 lesson 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 real people, 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