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10 Resources for Universal Human Rights Month

December is Universal Human Rights Month, a time for people worldwide to join together and stand up for the human rights of all individuals. This month-long celebration is an extension of Human Rights Day (December 10), a global holiday marking the date the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. This week’s resources will help you educate your students about human rights issues and how they impact our world.

Grades 6-12

Voices of Youth

Voices of Youth is UNICEF's online home for helping young people know more, learn more, and do more about issues facing our world. Explore links on the homepage to find information about topics including poverty, education, and human rights.

Grades K-12

TeachersFirst's Resources Related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The SDGs are 17 global goals adopted by the United Nations that are designed as a blueprint for achieving a more sustainable future for all. In this collection, you’ll find helpful information about the SDGs and web resources to use in your lessons.

Grades 8-12

How Do Human Rights Work?

Engage your students in this lesson that begins with a quiz asking them to consider their understanding of and views on human rights. The lesson includes a teacher's guide, student support, worksheets, and teaching slides.

Grades 6-12

What has the United Nations Ever Done for you?

Have your students choose a persona by entering a gender, age, and country to view a list of ways the United Nations has positively influenced their situation. Categories include human rights, child mortality, and cultural heritage.

Grades 4-7

Currents

This TeachersFirst Reading Trek is based on the novel “Currents” by Jane Smolik. This book tells the stories of three girls in the 1850s, each struggling with adversity dealt by an authority figure that directly impacts her daily life.

Grades 9-12

Created Equal

View these films covering historical periods from the abolitionist movement through the freedom marches and the turbulent 1960s. Explore the meaning of freedom and equality in the United States and its relevance today.

Grades 8-12

Equality and Human Rights Lesson Plan Ideas

This series of 12 lessons provides resources for teaching an understanding of human rights issues and how students can take action toward these issues in their communities. Lessons teach about empathy, discrimination, and prejudice.

Grades 3-7

Sojourner Truth: Abolitionist and Human Rights Activist

Learn all about Sojourner Truth, her fight against slavery, and her support for women and equal rights. This lesson includes a video and two primary sources: a photo of Sojourner Truth and excerpts from her most famous speech.

Grades 8-12

The Anne Frank Trust UK-Her Story, Today's World

Read all about Anne Frank and her father. This site’s mission is to draw on the power of Anne Frank's life and diary to challenge prejudice and reduce hatred, encouraging people to embrace positive attitudes, responsibility, and respect for others.

Grades 3-6

The First Amendment: What's Fair in a Free Country

This thoughtful unit plan carefully analyzes the cherished right of freedom of speech and illustrates the delicate balance between rights and responsibilities in a free society. The website offers a series of six elementary-level lesson guides.

This Week at TeachersFirst

Engage in professional learning this week with a newly added post on our Infusing Technology blog! Plus, learn about a global collaboration opportunity for your students and please stop by and say hello if you're attending the Virginia Society for Technology in Education (VSTE) conference!