Verification if a monothematic anthology of Shoah-themed texts for the first grade of primary schools
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: This paper reports findings from a quantitative study on the pedagogical adequacy of genocide-related materials, focusing on Shoah-themed texts in early primary education (grades 1–5; ages 6–11). The study involved 548 pupils, with detailed analysis of the second-year cohort (n = 112), who engaged with three materials: a drawing from the Terezín ghetto, a Holocaust poem, and a prose excerpt. Responses were gathered through a Likert scale and short questions. Results show that sadness and empathy dominated, with the poem generating the strongest engagement, while the drawing – though less liked – elicited the most intense emotions. This contrasts with earlier studies privileging visual media, highlighting the potential of literary texts to resonate with young pupils. The study suggests that carefully selected genocide-related materials can foster empathy and reflection. Limitations include reliance on short-term reactions and the absence of longitudinal research.
Author: Milan Mašát
Institution: Palacký University Olomouc
Language: English
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
SDG: Quality education
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,226
OpenAlex ID: W4414596029