The Diary of Anne Frank

The Diary of Anne Frank

Autobiography- Characteristics

Themes

Summary of The Diary of Anne Frank

Teaching Strategies

1. Inner vs Outer Self; isolation

Autobiography- Def'n

"Yes, there is no doubt that paper is patient and as I don't intend to show this cardboard-covered notebook, bearing the proud name of 'diary,' to anyone, unless I find a real friend, boy or girl, probably no one cares. And now I come to the root of the matter, the reason for my starting a diary: it is that I have no such real friend." (p. 2-3)

1. Before Reading

2. During Reading

3. After Reading

An autobiography is a written version of a person's life that is authored by that person

- Has an introduction that introduces the person and sets the scene of the text

- All events are ordered chronologically; dates are linked to events

- Author refers to named individuals

- Written in the past tense (generally)

- Anecdotal, includes feelings

- Author refers to themself in the 1st person

This book is the diary of a thirteen year old Jewish girl named Anne Frank. Anne’s father Otto was considered a wealthy man until WW2 broke out and Hitler targeted Jewish people, causing the Frank family to go into hiding, along with neighbours. This novel is the diary written by Anne herself about the two years she spent hidden away in the upper levels of Otto Frank’s office building. Anne’s Diary describes the living conditions faced by Jewish families in hiding, as well as the everyday thoughts and struggles of an adolescent female.

Before Reading

2. Growing Up

3. Love and Sexuality

4. Human Nature

5. World War 2

Create a context for the students about the events of World War 2

- Watch the documentary Anne Frank Remembered

Survivor testimony, background information

- Discuss the history of Anti-Semitism and genocide

- Introduce the period of WW2 using pictures and facts, creating a very basic timeline of what happened

Value

Other Autobiographies

(pictures show the victims as people)

The Autobiography of Malcolm X

I am Malala

Value of introducing students to autobiographies:

- Exposes students to a primary source of an event(s)

- Provides a deeper understanding of how an individual sees life

- Introduction to a new form of reading and writing

- Aids students with empathy: seeing a new

The Story of My Life

Twelve Years a Slave

During Readings

During Reading

perspective, personal impact of events and looking at a differnt time and

place.

During Reading

During Reading

2. Compare/ Contrast:

5. Text Format Investigation:

1. Character Maps

Presentation Outline

3. Comprehension Questions and extended thinking:

4. Discussion questions (Response questions) based on quotes:

-Explore the characterisitics and writing in diary form

1. Anne's life prewar and post war

Anne is talkative:

"Mr. Keptor, the old math master, was very annoyed with me for a long time because I chatter so much. So I had to write a composition with 'A Chatterbox' as the subject." (p.6)

What are the living conditions the Franks endure in the Secret Annexe? (ie food, clothing, hygiene, etc.)

2. Effectiveness of the diary vs graphic novel

"People can tell you to keep your mouth shut, but that doesn't stop you from having your own opinion." (p. 163)

"...I've learned one thing now. You only really get to know people when you've had a jolly good row with them. Then and only then can you judge their true characters!" (p. 34)

- Modern versions of diaries: blogs, twitter, radio diaries, video diaries

If you were to go into hiding, what items would you pack?

Not only with main character, but connections and relevance of sub characters. Could introduce the idea of bystanders.

During Reading

Response journals in form of diary

1. Genre: Autobiography

a) Define

b) characteristics

c) value and examples

2. Book Summary

3. Strategies and activities

4. Value of Anne Frank

5. Questions

Value of Anne Frank

• Unique Characteristics
• Culturally Inclusive
• World Connections
• Cross Curricular Connections
• Easily Accessible

After Reading

Unique Characteristics

After Reading

Resources

Questions

Culturally Inclusive

1. Timeline:

a) Events in WW2

b) Events in Anne's life

c) combination of the two

- Introduces a character of similar age to middle years students, perhaps going through similar inner changes and questions

- Because Anne is of similar age, and her experience is told first hand, students develop empathy

- Introduction of WW2 and the Holocaust and the impact these events had before further detail in Grade 9

2. Comic Strip:

with reference to the graphic novel, students choose a date in the diary to represent as a comic strip.

"autobiography." Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 30 Oct. 2015.

<Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/autobiography>.

Brown, Sarah and Carol Martin. "Teaching the Diary of Anne Frank." 2 June 2015.

Echoes and Reflections: Leaders in Holocaust Education. 15 October 2015

<http://echoesandreflections.org/community-voices/teaching-the-diary-of-anne-frank/>.

WGBH Educational Foundation. "The Diary of Anne Frank Teacher's Guide." 2015.

PBS.org. 15 October 2015 <http://www.tc-pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/annefrank/annefrank_teachersguide.pdf>.

Frank, Anne. The Diary of a Young Girl. New York: Random House, Inc., 1952

mrhoward12. "Features of Autobiography." 12 April 2013. SlideShare. 15 October 2015.

<http://www.slideshare.net/mrhoward12/features-of-autobiography>.

The Diary of Anne Frank introduces the topic of unjust treatment of peoples, more specifically Jewish people in this case; however this is an issue still dealt with all over the globe, and at a variety of levels.

Anne Frank's outlook has become an advocate for change worldwide, leaving a powerful impact on all cultures

Comic Strip:

1. Who has heard of Anne Frank's graphic novel? Would you choose to read that novel instead her diary version? Why or why not?

2. Do you have any other strategies that could be used while reading The Diary of Anne Frank or which one of the strategies mentioned was your favourite?

3. Would you read The Diary of Anne Frank in your middle school class? Why or why not?

World Connections

Cross-Curricular Connections

Accessibilty

• lead in to a discussion on current world events where injustice is still taking place
• how can we help?
• ex. introducing fair trade
• large scale to small scale; "think globally, act locally"

Social Studies:

• deals with social justice issues and Human Rights
• look into the geography of where the events took place

We found this text to be extremely accesible in bookstores, and well-priced. The Diary of a Young Girl is a very popular book used in middle schools and can be a tool vitalized for introduction to a variety of topics and skills to students.