K-2 Resources
Enhance K-2 learning and explore activities, lesson plans, and family workshops developed by our team, and a selection made by our trusted educational partners.
“Lisa changed my life and how I think!” •
“Lisa changed my life and how I think!” •
–Courtney, Elementary School Student
Teacher Guide
Teaching with Testimony Guide for Hold On To Your Music: The Inspiring True Story of the Children Of Willesden Lane
Student Activities, Lesson Plans, & Family Workshops
Facilitator Guides for Hold On To Your Music Family Workshop Series
The National Center for Families Learning (NCFL) and USC Shoah Foundation have partnered to develop resources for the Hold On To Your Music Family Workshops grounded in the powerful Children of Willesden Lane story. The multigenerational educational program brings together children (ages 6 to 11) and their families to explore historical narratives and audiovisual forms of text as they develop literacy skills and social–emotional capacities. During each session, children and families will engage in learning activities and interactive experiences associated with the books, Hold On to Your Music and Lisa of Willesden Lane, as well as the short animated film Music Dreams. Additionally, families will engage with music and clips of testimony to deepen their understanding of the historical context surrounding the Holocaust as well as universal themes related to the broader human experience.
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Storytime
Come and learn about the story of Lisa Jura and the "Children of Willesden Lane" during WWII. Concert pianist, author, and Lisa Jura’s daughter, Mona Golabek, shares a very special reading of her children’s book, Hold On to Your Music, beautifully illustrated by renowned Italian artist, Sonia Possentini.
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Mona brings this Story Time to the New York Public Library as part of her partnership with USC Shoah Foundation called The Willesden Project, an exciting education initiative that brings Lisa's story and its resonant messages to young people around the globe
Enjoy this inspiring true story of hope, resilience, and the power of music.
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Music Dreams
In this activity, students will watch the wordless animated short film, "Music Dreams," inspired by The Children of Willesden Lane books, written by Lisa’s daughter, acclaimed concert pianist and author Mona Golabek. Using a thinking routine, students will make observations and thoughtful interpretations to establish the connections between the film’s main characters, Carlos and Lisa, and their own lives in order to stimulate curiosity and interest in reading the book Hold On to Your Music.
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A Shield of Courage - Mona Golabek Dimensions in Testimony
In this lesson, K-2 students will participate in a learning activity, describing what it takes to have courage. It is important for K-2 students to develop these skills that will help them to overcome difficult, unstable and sometimes painful situations.
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The effects of having courage is engagement, self-confidence and the power to turn a negative circumstance into a positive one. At this young age, K-2 students can begin to develop the courage to learn how to raise their hand more often in class, participate, try new things and communicate their opinions without feeling shy or embarrassed.
By the end of this activity, students will have the opportunity to complete a “Shield of Courage” activity where they summarize ways in which Lisa demonstrated courage at the beginning and end of the story. Students will then make a personal connection to the story and provide ways in which they can show courage at home and at school based upon the information they learned from the story, as well as the Mona Golabek’s Dimensions in Testimony (DiT) interview.
Wonderopolis
Welcome to Wonderopolis®, a place where natural curiosity and imagination lead to exploration and discovery in learners of all ages. Each day, we pose an intriguing question—the Wonder of the Day®—and explore it in a variety of ways.
See a few of the Wonders of the Day featuring Lisa and Mona’s Story below
(Created in Partnership with NCFL for The Willesden Project):
