Today, Tour for Humanity had a very successful day at an elementary school in Orillia where Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center (FSWC) Educator Daniella presented 6 workshops to all students in Grades 5-8. The Grades 6-8 classes participated in the Canadian Experience workshop. In this workshop, students learn about a variety of difficult topics in Canadian history including slavery, the Indian Residential Schools System, the voyage of the SS St. Louis and the systemic internment of Japanese Canadians during the Second World War. Following a review of the past, current issues including cyber bullying and modern-day examples of intolerance are examined and discussed. The Grade 5 students participated in Simon's Story, which introduces elementary school students to the Holocaust in an age-appropriate manner. Students learn techniques to deal with injustice and ideas for creating positive change. Stereotypes, racism and prejudice are defined and discussed in an age-appropriate manner.

The Grade 8 class had done an entire unit on World War II prior to the workshop and just recently returned from an Ottawa trip so they were eager to share information and contribute to the discussion. The class was particularly aware of Residential Schools, even tying the current discussions about missing and murdered Indigenous women. 

As usual the Grade 5 class was full of interesting questions and innocent comments. When Daniella asked the class what they already knew about the Holocaust, two students said that the Nazis were "mean" and another student added that Hitler was "a big jerk." Daniella explained a brief history of the Nazi rise to power in Germany from an age-appropriate point of view. Both the Principal and Vice Principal came on board the Tour for Humanity to view the workshops, and teacher feedback was very positive. 

The Grade 6 teacher asked about resources to share with her students on the Holocaust in order to further develop the discussion from the day. Daniella suggested a visit to FSWC's www.neverforgetme.ca website for students to hear survivor testimony.