Human Rights Education: The 4th R, Human Rights Education
Resource Guide, Vol. 6, No.1 summer 1994.

Middle/Junior High School (Grades 5-8)

Elliot, RoAnne (1992). We: Lessons on Equal Worth and Dignity, The United Nations and Human Rights. Minnesota: United Nations Association of Minnesota. $14.95. UNA-MN, 1929 South 5th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55454, tel 612-333-2824.

This curriculum offers opportunities for students to discuss the issues of race, ethnicity, religion, and related topics. The goal is to formulate questions relevant to students personal lives: How does my failure to communicate with people of that group affect my life and the life of my community? Does my avoidance of people I consider different enhance or deter my progress, my potential, and that of my community? How am I affected when someone else suffers injustice? How can I empower myself to make important changes? Who are my mentors and positive role models for this kind of growth? The module has two sections that feature the United Nations and its work to create a more tolerant world. Special lessons feature the UN Charter, UN Human Rights Charter, UN Conventions on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, the Rights of the Child, Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, Forward Looking Strategies for Women, UN Declaration on the Elimination of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief, United Nations Agencies and Leadership. Upper elementary grade level.


Freeman, Charles (1988). Human Rights: Todays World. Social Studies School Services, P.O. Box 802, Culver City, CA 90233.

Are human rights purely a Western concept? Which rights are more important--the social and economic rights espoused by Communist states or the individual freedoms proclaimed by capitalist governments? Drawing on examples from all over the world, this thought-provoking resource surveys the history of human rights and investigates the status of human rights in the contemporary world. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) is reprinted in full at the end of the book. Middle grades and up.


Kronnenwetter, Michael (1990). Taking a Stand Against Human Rights Abuses. F. Watts, New York, NY. ISBN 0-53110-921-6.

A variety of teaching activities and approaches to a major obstacle to the enjoyment of economic rights. A timely overview of the current status of human rights in the world, punctuated with dramatic case studies, not only of people whose basic human rights have been denied, but also of people who work to end these abuses. After an historical overview of human rights, chapters discuss "Why Governments Abuse Human Rights" and "People Taking a Stand." Describing organizations such as Amnesty International which work to make people aware of human rights abuses, the book also suggests how to join a human rights organization and stresses the importance of taking a stand on issues that affect ones life.


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