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Geography

LESSON PLANS

Are Human Rights Universal?
Source: HRE USA
Using hypothetical examples, students will discuss the concept of universal human rights and their personal thoughts and opinions on the issues. Students will be asked to read or listen to various news articles about the topics, conduct their own research, and prepare notes for a discussion. The purpose is to use current and personal examples in order to engage students in the discussion of human rights.

Grade Level: high school
Subject Area: social studies

“Do All Children Have Sweet Dreams?”
Source: HRE USA
This lesson invites students to develop an understanding of the basic concepts of needs and wants, but bring their comprehension beyond their own world. Students will also question and discuss how some needs guaranteed in the Convention on the Rights of the Child are met and the difficulties guaranteeing these to all children worldwide.
Grade Level: elementary school
Subject Area: social studies

The Eight Stages of Genocide
Source: HRE USA
In this foundational lesson, students will learn about the different stages that lead to genocides, and therefore will allow students to understand what patterns typically serve as antecedents to genocide. It will also give students the tools necessary to identify what indicators to look for when pinpointing regions where genocides can potentially take place in the future. Understanding the stages of genocide also enables people to act to stop policies and practices that can lead to genocide.
Grade Level: high school
Subject Area: social studies

Fatnah’s Story: Giving Girls a Chance to Learn
Source: UNICEF
Lesson plans that raise awareness of the impact of gender inequality through the story of a refugee girl in Darfur. Offers ways to address gender equality in education.
Grade Level: middle school
Subject Area: social studies, geography


Finding Home
Source:  Expeditionary Learning, on behalf of Public Consulting Group, Inc. 
20-lesson module that explores universal themes and experiences of refugees across various times and cultures. Uses the memoir Inside Out & Back Again as a central text.
Grade Level: middle school
Subject Area: geography, social studies


Indigenous People: A Human Right to Exist?
Source: American Forum for Global Education, 1993
Defines the concept of an “indigenous people” and locate them in the various world areas.
Grade Level: high school
Subject Area: geography, social studies, global education

Migrant Rights
Source: HRE USA
This lesson exposes students to contemporary international migrations and their relationship to human rights set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This lesson can be modified to address many different migratory themes, such as: international migration, historical accounts of migration/immigration to the United States, undocumented/illegal immigration, etc. This specific lesson discusses the international migration of Middle Eastern and African people to Europe during the fall of 2015.
Grade Level: high school
Subject Area: social studies

Pressing Human Rights Issues in Africa
Source: HRE USA
Students will be introduced to several pressing human rights issues that are occurring in countries in Africa, and then work in groups to research and create a report on possible ways to improve the human rights situation and present their plan of action to their peers. This lesson is intended to be a follow-up after an introductory lesson on human rights has already taken place.
Grade Level: high school
Subject Area: social studies

Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Source: HRE USA Curriculum Integration Guide
This lesson provides students with an opportunity to evaluate indigenous human rights as proposed by past or current legislation or international agreements. In this specific lesson, students will evaluate the United States government’s American Indian policy of the late 1800’s; however, the lesson can be adapted for any class that addresses indigenous people’s rights or people.
Grade Level: High school
Subject Area: social studies, global education

The Rights of Refugees
Source:  UN High Commissioner for Refugees
Lesson plan that approaches the refugee experience from a number of subject areas, including art, history, geography, math, and science. Topics include Refugees in History, Refugee Rights and Responsibilities, Refugee Women and Girls.
Grade Level: middle – high school
Subject Area: social studies, current events, art, language arts, geography

The UDHR & Contemporary Issues
Source: HRE USA
This lesson asks students to correlate the UDHR to current newspaper articles which illustrate the portrayal of human rights in one of four situations (rights achieved, rights denied, rights violated, rights in conflict). Students will explain that situation, the correlation to the UDHR, and then write a reflection on the role of the UDHR in potentially resolving the situation.
Grade Level: high school
Subject Area: social studies

Using Inquiry-Based Research to Highlight Contemporary Human Rights Challenges
Source: HRE USA
Students will be introduced to the concept of Human Rights and tasked with finding how they are still applicable to our world today. This series of lessons will begin with a general introduction to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Following this, students will design their own questions about what human rights abuses may still be occurring today. The lesson will culminate in students creating an infographic, which will then be shared with the class.
Grade Level: high school
Subject Area: social studies


Women.Children.Crisis
Source: Pulitzer Center for Crisis Reporting
A collection of global reporting projects including news articles and videos that illuminates the adversity and discrimination experienced by women and children.
Grade Level: middle – high school
Subject Area: social studies, geography

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