The Secret of Priest's Grotto

Title: The Secret of Priest's Grotto

Authors: Peter L. Taylor and Christos Nicola

Publisher: Kar-Ben Publishing

Copyright: 2007

Reading Level: Approximately Grade 6

Summary:
The Secret of Priest’s Grotto is a nonfiction book about the survival of several families during the Holocaust. For more than a year, underground caves in the Ukraine provided sheltered and protection to Jews, including children and the elderly. The book is basically about two different stories; one story is about the men who discovered the caves and the other story is about the survivors. The survivors tell their unknown stories of how they found the caves, how they fought to survive and how life was like underground.

Suggested Delivery:
Small reading groups including reading group discussions.

Electronic Resources: 
1- Holocaust Children- This website includes stories about other Jewish children that survived the Holocaust. This website can be utilized after the reading so students can expand on what they read. This can also be used as a text-to-text connection followed by text-to-self connection. This connections will enhance student's comprehension.

2- UAYCEF- This website was recommended by the authors of the book and it can be used during the reading. The website includes visuals, stories of their different discoveries and interesting information for students.

Teaching Suggestions:
1- Vocabulary- Western Ukraine, Substantiate, Methodically, Prevailed, Silhouette, Vigor

2- Reading Strategies- (KWL Chart)

Before Reading: Ask students to make predictions of the book based on the cover page. Have a brief class discussion about what they think the book might be about. After, have students complete the “K” section of the KWL chart. Students should write everything they know about Jews, Ukraine, Holocaust survivors and history. Review the vocabulary and read just the first page.

During Reading: After reading the first page, have students complete the “W” section of their KWL chart. The questions should be based on the first page reading. Encourage students to ask questions about topics like Jews, Ukraine, the Holocaust, survival and caves.

After Reading: Discuss the reading with students by asking them about the questions they wrote for the “W” section. They should be able to include details from the book and personal opinions. After, have students complete the “L” section.

3- Writing Activity- From the different survival stories told in the book, have students select one that made an impact on them. They should identify what was interesting about the story, how it made them feel, any thoughts and questions they have about the story.