A Danish Fisherman and Supporter of the Resistance
"Many of the fishermen have built hidden places in their boats. I have, too. Down underneath. I have only to lift the boards in the right place, and there is room to hide a few people. Peter, and others in the Resistance who work wiht him, bring [the Jews] to me, and to the other fishermen as well. There are people who hide them and help them, along the way to Gilleleje."
--From Number the Stars, by Lois Lowry, page 123
Directions: You are a Danish fisherman and supporter of the Resistance in Denmark. You feel that it is not right for the Jews to be taken from their homes by the German army. You decide to help smuggle the Jews out across the sea from Denmark to Sweden. You know that the Jews will be safe in Sweden. You will reseach and record information in a journal entry to learn more about what it means to be a Danish fisherman and supporter of the Resistance. Make sure that you answer ALL OF THE QUESTIONS below in your journal entry. Remember to write the journal entry as if you were a Danish fisherman!
***Also remember that you can also use the experiences of the characters from Number the Stars to help you write the journal entry.***
PREDICT:
You have just heard that the German government has invaded Denmark. The Germans say that they will let the Danish government keep control of the country. However, Germany is posting Nazi soldiers inside many towns of Denmark. Also, you have heard that Germany has signed a pact with Denmark, promising that they will not take complete control of the country. You know that many of your friends are Jewish citizens of Denmark.
1. Do you believe that the German government will leave the country of Denmark alone?
2. What do you say to your Jewish friends? Do you tell them to leave the country? Why?
READ:
Suddenly, you hear that the German government has gone against their word. They are taking complete control of Denmark. You have heard that the German government has planning to deport all of the Jews in Denmark to a concentration camp. A fellow fisherman says that he plans to help smuggle the Jews across the sea to Sweden where they will be safe. To learn more about what is going on, click on the links below:
Pictorial Essay of the Rescue of the Danish Jews
A Story about the Rescues of the Danish Jew
RESPOND:
3. Describe how the Danish fisherman are smuggling Jews to Sweden.
4. You decide to help the Jews of Denmark. What would you need to do to your fishing boat to hide the Jews? What would you say to a Nazi soldier if he tried to inspect your boat?
READ:
You need to find out a way to get from Denmark to Sweden without being detected by the Nazis. Look at the following map to determine what path you will take.
RESPOND:
5. What route will you take? Where will you leave from? Where will you stop in Sweden? What time will you leave to avoid being seen by the Nazis?
READ:
Your friend, Preben Munch-Nielsen, has become a hero in Denmark. You heard that he managed to smuggle many Jewish citizens to Sweden. To learn more about Preben Munch-Nielsen, click on the links below.
An Interview with Preben Munch-Nielsen
RESPOND:
6. What did Preben Munch-Nielsen do for the Danish Jews? Do you respect him? Why?
CONNECT:
7. Using the information that you read and the pictures that you saw on this site, explain what it means to be a hero in Denmark. What does it mean to be a Danish fisherman?
Before turning in your journal entry, ask yourself the following questions:
-Did I answer all 7 questions above?
-Did I answer all 7 questions thoughtfully and completely?
-Did I write from the point of view of my character?
-Is my journal entry neat with no spelling errors? Remember that dictionaries are always available for your use.
-Does my journal entry look like I spent time on it and did not rush through it?
If you answered all of the questions with a "YES" then you may continue with your WebQuest.