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Lesson Plans – Work

Circle of Rights. Economic, Social & Cultural Rights Activism
Source:International Human Rights Internship Program, Forum-Asia
An exhaustive resource for understanding and teaching economic, social, and cultural rights.  See module 10, “The Right to Work.”
Grade Level: high school – adult
Subject Area: social studies, economics, and development studies


Discrimination in the Workplace
Middle school  High school
Source: American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC)
Uses US civil rights law to evaluate case studies of discrimination in the workplace, especially against Arab-Americans.
Grade Level: middle – high school
Subject Area: social studies 


I Have a Right to …
Source: BBC World Service
A collection of case studies that illustrate specific human rights with contemporary examples.
Grade Level: high school
Subject Area: social studies, current events, geography

The Industrial Revolution & Workers’ Rights
Source: HRE USA
The purpose of this lesson is to introduce students to the effects that the development of industrial capitalism had on industrial workers in Europe and the United States in the 19th century, to introduce students to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as an instrument by which they can understand and measure industrial workers’ rights with human rights issues, and to allow students to apply their understanding of workplace issues as human rights issues to contemporary scenarios involving workers’ rights.
Grade Level: high school
Subject Area: social studies

Let’s Take Action
Source: HRE USA
This lesson uses the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), as well as clips from the documentaries “China’s African Takeover” by Unreported World and The Dark Side of Chocolate as an avenue to introduce violations of child rights. Students will create an action plan to address CRC violations and raise awareness about children’s rights.
Grade Level: middle school
Subject Area: social studies


Speak Truth to Power: Lucas Benitez
Source: Speak Truth to Power Curriculum, RFK Center
Activities featuring Lucas Benitez’s work for the rights of migrant workers.
Grade Level: high school
Subject area: social studies, economics


The Right to Work in Dignity: Human Rights and Economic Rights
Source: New York University Projects
Uses the Triangle Shirt Factory Fire to examine the right to work.
Grade Level: high school
Subject Area: social studies


The Rights of Worker Toolkit
Source: Advocates for Human Rights
A toolkit on the rights of workers in the United States with background information, lesson plans, action opportunities, and resources.
Grade Level: middle school – adult
Subject Area: social studies, current events

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