Illinois Holocaust Museum’s literature-based teaching trunk program provides K–12 educators with a wide array of resources for classrooms with units on character education, human rights, the Holocaust, and/or genocide. Each trunk allows educators to create meaningful age/grade-appropriate lessons employing award–winning fiction and nonfiction, historical references, and other educational materials. Each trunk has been carefully developed to address State and National Learning Standards, including Common Core State Standards. Teaching Trunks are provided free of charge.
Trunk Contents Notice for Schools Outside of Illinois (1/1/2025)
The Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center provides educational materials free of charge to schools throughout the continental United States; our teaching trunks, both physical and virtual, provide resources and activities that have been vetted for their age-appropriateness, reading level, thematic depth, and historical accuracy. They have been built according to Illinois state educational standards and the Common Core State Standards.
Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center cannot be held liable by a teacher, school, or district for trunks that contain materials considered controversial or that violate state or district standards. It is the responsibility of the borrowing teacher, school, or district to ensure materials introduced to their classroom are approved for use. The list of a specific trunk’s inventory can be provided upon request, and accommodations can be made based on local restrictions. Please contact trunks@ilhmec.org if you have any questions or concerns.
Virtual Teaching Trunks
Virtual trunks offer Holocaust and genocide curriculum in a 100% digital format, providing flexibility for those who are teaching remotely, in person, or in a hybrid model. Virtual teaching trunks include:
- E-books and digital texts
- Illinois Holocaust Museum developed films
- Online lessons and activities
- Digital “artefacts” to help students explore the stories of local Holocaust Survivors
Click the button below to view all available virtual teaching trunks.
Trunk Descriptions
The Museum offers teaching trunks for students of all ages covering a variety of subject matter. Click on the trunk below to learn more about its contents and theme.
Request a Teaching Trunk
In order to request a teaching trunk, please fill out the form linked below. Please note that schools who participate in our trunk program are required to provide Illinois Holocaust Museum with three forms of feedback:
- Letter of thanks to sponsor of trunk
- Student Evaluation Form
- Online Teacher Evaluation Form
Instructions and materials, including evaluation forms, will be sent with your trunk.
Program Supporters
PNC is the Presenting Sponsor of the Teaching Trunks program.
Generously supported by: Chicago Bulls Charities; David P. Brody Charitable Trust; Lynn and Leo Wiznitzer Family; Vivo Foundation
Education Services are supported with generous grants from: Paul M. Angell Family Foundation, Bank of America, The Bill Bass Foundation, David P. Brody Charitable Trust, Dr. Scholl Foundation, The Duchossois Family Fund, Fifth Third Bank, Full Circle Foundation, Leah Gutman Education Fund, Max and Sunny Howard Memorial Foundation, McGraw Foundation, Niles Township Government, PNC, Charles and M.R. Shapiro Foundation Inc., Steans Family Foundation
Additional endowment support is provided by: Congregation B’nai Sholom, The Mayor Richard M. and Maggie C. Daley Education Fund, The Harvey L. Miller Family Foundation Program Endowment Fund, Moselle Mintz Schwartz Education Fund, Barney & Anita Sidler Educational Endowment, Teachers Educational Endowment Fund