Teaching the Holocaust
What Are Teaching Trunks?
I really think that in small ways, we are changing the world.
-Teacher at Charles Wright Academy, Tacoma

The Washington State Holocaust Education Resource Center has been working with educators to create comprehensive and user-friendly Holocaust Teaching Trunks.

The Trunks are a work in progress, continually evolving as we receive feedback from teachers and students who use the trunks.

  • Holocaust Trunks contain a complete Holocaust unit – including books for an entire class, books for various reading levels, activities, maps, posters, videos, and guides for teachers.

  • The Holocaust Center currently has trunks in three levels - 5th/6th Grade Trunks, Middle School Trunks (7th/8th Grade), and High School Trunks.

  • Trunks are loaned out for three weeks at a time, unless special arrangements are made with the Holocaust Center.

  • Trunks are sent to teachers across Washington State at no charge to the teacher or to the school.

  • Requests from Washington State are given first priority. Outside Washington - requests filled based on availability. Shipping charges will apply. (Trunks are sent FedEx Ground).

  • The initial research and three trunks were funded as a pilot project by a grant from Costco and a grant from Marsha and Jay Glazer. Additional trunks were funded by individuals to honor family members and Holocaust experiences.

  • $800 - Adopts one trunk for the school year.  This amount covers shipping the trunk to and from schools and replacing materials.

  • $3000 - Underwrites the cost of a trunk.  You, your organization, and/or the person you wish to honor, will be acknowledged in the trunk, on our website, and on all trunk publicity materials.