Anne Frank Exhibit on Display at Riverside Middle School
The “Anne Frank – A History for Today” Exhibit is currently on display at Riverside Middle School. The exhibit recounts Anne Frank’s story using a wide selection of family photographs and passages from her diary. School groups can schedule tours by calling Mary Higgins at 355-7902. A donation of $1.00 per person is requested.
The exhibit will be open to the public on the following dates:
- Saturday, March 15 – 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
- Monday, March 17 – 4:00 – 8:00 p.m.
- Sunday, March 23 – 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
- Thursday, March 27 – 4:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Riverside Middle was selected to house the display after Social Studies teacher Hale Edwards and Language Arts teacher Merle Faulk attended a workshop that was conducted by scholars from the Anne Frank Center USA in New York and the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam.
More than 30 seventh and eighth grade students have been trained as docents. The selected students include members of the school’s Model United Nations as well as recommendations from teachers based on interest and leadership ability. Two parents are also trained as docents. They will be assisting during the tours that are open to the public later this month.
Seventh grade social studies teachers are using information from the exhibit to enhance classroom instruction of World War II and the Holocaust. “The exhibit does a wonderful job of interweaving the teaching of these subjects with events in the Frank family’s lives,” explained Mrs. Edwards. “At the eighth grade level, Language Arts teachers are using the information as part of their curriculum as they read The Diary of Anne Frank.” Teachers are also using the exhibit to introduce discussion on bullying and discrimination.
Mrs. Edwards notes that after visitors view the exhibit they will ask, “How could this happen?” and they will realize that Anne Frank had amazing strength and maturity to live through the horrors of the Holocaust.
According to the Anne Frank website, “The story of Anne Frank still has important lessons to teach us today. The discrimination and racism that brought an end to her life did not disappear when World War II came to a close. Reading her life story can help us realize the value of tolerance and mutual respect and the importance of human rights.”
Anne Frank: A History for Today was developed by the Anne Frank House and is sponsored in North America by The Anne Frank Center USA.