I enjoyed the talk about the holocaust, child trafficking, and tolerance. I had no idea that Ohio was such a large part of this. :( I talk about these things with my students even though they are only 10/11. I do this for several reasons. First, they already know about some of it so we might as well talk about it and clarify misconceptions. Secondly, they are interested in it especially the holocaust. There are many children's books out about it, and they want to know more. Finally, child trafficking fits in with our unit on slavery, and they need to know that although it is illegal, it still goes on. I don't dwell too much on it, but at the same time, I want them to know that it is a very real occurrence. Now knowing that Ohio is such a big part of it, I really want to talk about it! They always want to know how this can be, and what they can do about it.

I usually quote a poem/quote (not sure which it is, and I can't remember the author) that begins: When they came for the Jews, I did nothing for I was not a Jew.

When they came for the ... it goes on for several lines, but the end says:

When they came for me, there was no one left to help.

This always makes the students stop and think. I thought of this poem/quote when Ms. Fletcher spoke about the lonely student in the cafeteria. I think students could be rewrite it so that it could fit into the classroom/school setting.