Night by Elie Wiesel - Josef Mengele Historical Context Article and Assignment
Use this historical context lesson during your unit for Night by Elie Wiesel to teach students about one of the most infamous figures of the Holocaust, Josef Mengele, the Nazi doctor known as the “Angel of Death.” This nonfiction article gives historical background on Mengele’s education, ideology, medical experiments at Auschwitz, and eventual escape from justice. Paired with a set of thoughtful comprehension questions, the Josef Mengele Night activity encourages students to analyze a nonfiction text, connect it to Night by Elie Wiesel, and reflect on the moral consequences of unchecked power. This is best used after students have read chapter 5 of the memoir, where Elie reflects on Josef Mengele’s presence.
This is included in a unit plan:
>>> Night by Elie Wiesel Unit Plan
Included in the Night by Elie Wiesel Josef Mengele Reading Activity:
➡️ Josef Mengele Nonfiction Reading Passage: Students will read this nonfiction article outlining Josef Mengele’s background, role at Auschwitz, medical experiments, racist beliefs, and postwar escape. The text connects directly to Night by Elie Wiesel, providing valuable historical context for classroom discussion.
➡️ Reading Comprehension Questions: Students will complete this set of five reading response questions that guides students in analyzing the article for key information, using text evidence, and making deeper thematic connections to Night by Elie Wiesel.
➡️ Teacher Answer Key: A detailed teacher answer key is included for you to easily grade student work or review the questions with your class.
How the Night by Elie Wiesel Josef Mengele Reading Activity Works:
- Distribute the nonfiction article and have students read independently or in pairs, annotating key details and unfamiliar terms as they go.
- After reading, students respond to five questions that require both comprehension and reflection.
- Encourage students to cite text evidence in their answers and make connections to Night where appropriate.
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