Butterfly ProjectPoetry by the children of Terezin.

The Butterfly• Read the poem, “The Butterfly” silently.

• As you read, think about these questions:

1. Who do you think wrote this poem? Underline evidence to support your thinking.

2. What experiences do you think generated this poem? Underline evidence to support your thinking.

3. To what is the poem referring? Underline evidence to support your thinking.

4. How does this poem make you feel? Underline evidence to support your thinking.

5. Tone 6. Theme

Terezin (Theresienstadt)

• A ghetto/concentration camp meant to solve an “awkward problem” : what to do with certain special categories of Jews.

• Nazis did not know what to do with several groups:• Decorated Jewish veterans of WWI• The wounded, the amputees of WW1• Intellectuals (professors, researchers, scientists, etc.)• Writers, composers, conductors, those involved in film and theater.

• These people were Jewish, but were also valuable to the Nazis because of their talents.

Terezin (Theresienstadt) • Propaganda• How could German keep their treatment of the Jews

secret? How could they avoid international embarrassment?• How could they achieve the goal of the Final Solution and

still conceal it from the world?

• Terezin.Conceived by Heinrich Himmler as a “model ghetto/camp”Portrayed as a town/camp inhabited and run by Jews do that the outside world would never learn their secretA Nazi propaganda film called it a gift “the Furher has given to the Jews”

Terezin (Theresienstadt) • On June 23, 1944, a group from the Red Cross arrived to

inspect the camp.• Elaborate preparations were made for the inspection

and for the propaganda film that was made shortly afterward.

• Building were painted, gardens planted, invalids, poorly dressed people were ordered to stay in their barracks.

• New furniture appeared, cultural events (like concerts, plays) were planned, street signs were put up.

• To this day, it is unclear if the Red Cross officials knew what was going on there, or if they had been fooled. Either way, they reported positively on what they saw.

Terezin (Theresienstadt) • Was liberated (freed) by the Soviet army on May 8, 1945.• Two suitcases filled with children’s drawings and poems

were discovered shortly after the liberation. • For 10 years they sat on a shelf, gathering dust. No one

thought they were valuable.• Then, they were rediscovered and exhibited. They have

since been seen by millions throughout the world. • You are about to see and read some of these poems.

• Today, Terezin is has returned to its tranquil surroundings and virtually no trace of the ghetto/camp remains.

Poems• You will each be given a poem to read/study. Each

poem was written by a child of Terezin. • Read the poem silently several times.• Determine the tone of the poem. Underline

words/phrases in the poem to support your answer.

• Find examples of hopes, dreams, and/or fears in your child’s poem. Circle them.

• What colors or symbols would you associate with this poem/child? Why? Make notes directly on your poem.

Butterflies (Pre-AP ELA)• You are going to create a butterfly to represent your poem.• Butterflies must:

• Represent a deep understanding of your poem.• Be consistent with the analysis of your poem• Represent tone of the poem• Colors, symbols as determined though your reading. • Include the title of your poem

• Be no larger than 8 x 10 inches in size (but may be smaller)• Be creative! You may use any medium of your choosing (paint, watercolors,

pastels, yarn, etc.)to create your butterfly.• Demonstrate time, effort, thought, creativity• Not include glitter or edible items, please.

• Best butterflies will be sent to Holocaust Museum in Houston for display.

• Butterflies due Wednesday, May 22. You will present your butterfly to the class.

Butterflies (Regular ELA) • You are going to create a butterfly to represent either “The Butterfly”

or “Letter to Daddy”.• Butterflies must:

• Represent your poem.• Be consistent with the analysis of your poem• Represent tone of the poem• Colors, symbols as determined though your reading. • Include the title of your poem

• Not be larger than 8 x 10 inches in size• Be creative. You may use any medium of your choosing (paint, watercolors,

pastels, yarn, etc.) to create your butterfly. • Demonstrate time, effort, thought, creativity• Not include glitter or edible items,.

• Best butterflies will be sent to Holocaust Museum in Houston for display.

• Butterflies due Wednesday, May 22. You will present your butterfly to the class.

Butterfly Project Rubric (All classes) • 20 pts. Butterfly accurately represents meaning and

tone of poem. • 20 pts. 3-5 Symbols used show deep understanding and

thought about the poem. • 20 pts. 3-5colors used show deep understanding and

thought about the poem. • 20 pts. Butterfly demonstrates time, effort, creativity,

thought. Includes original artwork. Is neat. Is not sloppy and hurried.

• 10 pts Presentation: volume, speed, posture, preparedness.

• 10 pts Turned in on or before the due date & presented when called upon.