In this lesson, students will explore the personal story of Eva Paddock and Milena Grenfell-Baines through an interview. They will engage in a variety of activities, including watching and analyzing the interview, group drawing, timeline comparison, and reflecting on meaningful objects.
Step 1: Getting to know the story
Inform the students that they will watch a 17-minute interview.
In January 2026, the two sisters, Eva Paddock and Milena Grenfell-Baines, were interviewed. This short interview is by no means a full biographical account of their lives. It focuses on four main topics:
- Life before the war in Czechia
- The rescue
- Dealing with trauma
- Their message on Holocaust education
Divide the class into four groups. Assign each group one of the four parts of the interview to focus on. Ask each student to note down four key events, words, or ideas related to their section.
Interview
Step 2: Video Analysis
Each group receives four sheets of paper. Their task is to illustrate the four key events—they can draw them literally or use a metaphor. Once finished, they place their drawings on the floor. The next group continues, creating a line of 16 sheets altogether.
Afterwards, each group explains their choices.
Step 3: Timeline
To sum up this part of the lesson, the teacher displays the timeline on the screen clicking on icons to show the short descriptions. Students can then compare their drawings with the timeline.
Step 4: Objects That Matter
Divide the class into four groups and give each group one object. Ask students to work within the Visual Thinking Startegy questions:
- What’s going on in this picture?
- What makes you say that?
- What else can we find?
Ask students to share within their group about one object they own that is important or meaningful to them.
