A Danish Newspaper Reporter
"[Mrs. Johansen] spoke in a low voice to Ellen's mother. 'They must be edgy because to the latest Resistance incidents. Did you read in Die Frie Danske about the bombings in Hillerod and Norrebro?' Although she pretended to be absorbed in unpacking her schoolbooks, Annemarie listened, and she knew what her mother was referring to. Die Frie Danske -- The Free Danes -- was an illegal newspaper, Peter Neilsen brought them occasionally, carefully folded and hidden among ordinary books and papers, and Mama always burned it after she and Papa read it. But Annemarie heard Mama and Papa talk, sometimes at night, about the news they received that way: news of sabotage against the Nazis, bombs hidden and exploded in factories that produced war materials, and industrial railroad lines damaged so that the goods couldn't be transported."
-From Number the Stars, by Lois Lowry, pages 8 and 9
Directions: You are a Danish newspaper reporter who supports the Resistance. You are illegally writing stories about Germany and the war in Europe and passing them on to the citizens of Denmark. You feel that it is not right for the Jews to be taken from their homes by the German army. You hope that if you keep the Jewish people of Denmark aware of what is going on in their country then they will be better able to avoid conflict with the Germans and possibly escape from Denmark with their lives. You will reseach and record information in a journal entry to learn more about what it means to be a Danish newspaper reporter 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 newspaper reporter!
***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:
You have been a writer for an illegal Danish newspaper for several years. You have covered a lot of stories during World War II and many of the horrible things that were done to Jews, Africans, and Slavics. You support the idea that the Jews should be able to believe in any religion that they see fit. You do not like how the German government is treating the Jews. You have covered stories from all over Denmark. To learn more about what kinds of of things were happening in Denmark during the Holocaust, click on the links below.
More about the Nazi Occupation of Germany
RESPOND:
3. What were at least three of the important events that happened in Denmark during the Holocaust? Explain why these events are important?
4. Do you think that it is important that the citizens of Denmark know about the information found in the websites above? Why?
READ:
One day, you hear that the Nazis have gotten ahold of a copy of the illegal newspaper for which you reported. They do not know yet that you wrote for that paper. However, you decide to stop writing for awhile so that the Nazis will not be able to find you. 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 is planning to deport all of the Jews in Denmark to a concentration camp. You need to get word out to the Jews so that they can escape! But, oh, no, if you put out a new newspaper, you could be caught be the Nazis! What do you do? Do you help the Jews or protect yourself? Read the information in the following links to help you make the decision.
The Fight for Independence-The most important information is in the section labeled "The Resistance."
What might happen to the Jews if you do not help?
RESPOND:
5. Do you decide to help the Jews or protect your own life? Why? Give at least three reasons why you made this decision based on the information in the above websites.
6. List at least three reasons why newspapers were important to the citizens of Denmark during the Holocaust.
CONNECT:
7. Using the information that you read and the pictures that you saw on this site, explain what it means to be a newspaper reporter who works for the Resistance. Do you think that these newspaper reporters were heroes?
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.