Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Holocaust Learning Trunk Project?
How can I use a trunk in my classroom?
After accessing a trunk, do I have to submit an evaluation?
Are the contents of the trunks different from trunk to trunk?
I am not a social studies teacher, can I still use a trunk?
Who do I contact with specific questions or comments?
I am looking for:
Evaluations
Tracking Forms
Inventory of Trunk Contents
Contact Information
Pictures
What is the Holocaust Learning Trunk Project?
The Holocaust Learning Trunk Project is sponsored by the Georgia Commission on the Holocaust with support from The Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, Inc. and the Georgia Foundation for Public Education, and in cooperation with the Georgia Department of Education.
The project provides trunks to schools throughout the entire state of Georgia for use in middle school classrooms. Each trunk contains a full complement of educational materials about the Holocaust. These trunks and the materials within are meant to supplement curriculum already in place and to assist educators in creating lesson plans that incorporate themes from Holocaust education.
How does it work?
The Georgia Commission on the Holocaust distributes Holocaust Learning Trunks throughout the state of Georgia. The trunks are housed by RESAs (Regional Service Educational Agencies), school districts, and/or schools.
The trunks and the contents are available only for use by middle school educators through their respective housing contact. (Please see this page to determine who the contact person is for your school.)
Educators who would like to access a trunk or the contents must get in touch with their housing contact to make arrangements.
Trunks are also available for private schools from the Anne Frank in the World exhibit in Sandy Springs, Georgia. Educators at private schools must submit an online trunk reservation request via this link.
After an educator has used a trunk or any material from the trunk contents in a classroom, he/she is asked to complete and submit an online evaluation. Evaluations are available on this page. Evaluations are a requirement of the sponsoring grant organizations and are the only means to directly measure the success and scope of the Holocaust Learning Trunk Project.
Each housing contact in required to submit a Tracking Form at the end of each academic year with information regarding the access of materials in that school/district/RESA.
How can I use a trunk?
Step 1 - Determine your housing location contact
Please consult this page to find the contact informattion of your local trunk housing location.
If you are an educator at a private school, please must submit an online trunk reservation request via this link.
Step 2 - Contact your local housing agency
Once you have found the contact for your local trunk, reach out to them via phone or e-mail to make arrangements for accessing the trunk and/or the contents.
How can I use a trunk in my classroom?
The trunks are meant to supplement curriculum already in place by providing educators with materials he/she can use in the classroom. Therefore, it is the educator's responsibility to create a lesson plan. The Teaching Guide includes guidelines for teaching about the Holocaust and resources such as a glossary and commonly asked questions. Lesson and activity modules are also included in the guide in order to assist educators in creating lesson plans using the second edition trunks contents.
After accessing a trunk, do I have to submit an evaluation?
Yes. All educators who have accessed any materials in the trunks are asked to submit an evaluation. The completion of evaluation forms are a requirement of the sponsoring grant organizations and are the only means to measure the success and scope of the Holocaust Learning Trunk Project.
Pilot Program Trunk Evaluation: If you accessed a pilot program trunk, please click here to complete the evaluation.
Second Edition Trunk Evaluation: If you accessed a second edition trunk, please click here to complete the evaluation.
Not sure which trunk type you accessed? Please click here to reference the distribution chart.
How long can I keep a trunk and/or contents?
The standard loan period is three weeks. However, this will vary on location depending on the availability of the trunk and/or the contents you would like to use.
Are the contents of the trunks different from trunk to trunk?
There are three collections of trunk types currently in circulation: pilot program trunks, second edition trunks, and third edition trunks.
The contents of each pilot program trunk are identical with the exception of the color poster from The Jewish Foundation for the Righteous which varies in style from trunk to trunk.
The contents of each second edition trunk are identical.
The contents of each third edition trunk are identical.
Not sure which trunk type is accessible to you? Please click here to reference the distribution index. Once you click on the link for your local housing agency, it will list what type of trunk is available in that area.
I am not a social studies teacher, can I still use a trunk?
Yes. The Georgia Commission on the Holocaust welcomes and encourages educators of all disciplines to utilize the statewide Holocaust Learning Trunk Project. Educators may work together or share the contents of the trunk during the standard loan period. There are no restrictions regarding the specific use of the trunk contents, although lesson modules are available in the Teaching Guide that were designed to assist educators in writing lesson plans.
Who decorated the trunks?
The trunks were decorated by students at schools in metro Atlanta ranging from public, private and religiously affiliated.
Each trunk has a story. Some trunks include artist statements identifying the students who decorated the trunk. For a full list of the schools who participated in decorating trunks visit this webpage. Pictures and videos of trunks being decorated, quotes from students involved, and artists' statements are also on the website.
Who do I contact with specific questions or comments?
Please contact the Georgia Commission on the Holocaust's Public Education Manager Emma Ellingson at 770-206-1555.