Discussion As a class, discuss some of the following: Can you think of some examples of people disrespecting other human people’s rights? Why do some people behave that way? How can we avoid behaving unfairly and disrespecting the rights of others? Are there differences in rights for teachers and other adults? How does it feel to have your rights disrespected by others? Now, ask the class to develop a Class Charter of Respect to reflect how they are going to achieve their Charter of Rights. For example: Right How you will achieve that right to be listened to and given the to listen to and respect each other’s views opportunity to express our opinions and opinions Extension/homework children can make lists of rights and respects in the playground, at home or in • In groups, the community. Teachers notes: Many people think that rights are dependent on responsibilities. This is inaccurate and a rights, like all human rights, are unconditional. common misunderstanding. Children’s This means there are no conditions attached to rights. Rights can never be a reward for the fulfilment of a responsibility and they can never be taken away because a ‘responsibility’ hasn’t been met. rights are also universal, so both adults and children should be encouraged Children’s to respect rights but this does not mean that a rights are dependent on them child’s respecting the rights of others. For further information, common misconceptions about rights children’s see UNICEF’s advice: (UNCRC).
Discussion As a class, discuss some of the following: Can you think of some examples of people disrespecting other people’s human rights? Why do some people behave that way? How can we avoid behaving unfairly and disrespecting the rights of others? Are there differences in rights for teachers and other adults? How does it feel to have your rights disrespected by others? Now, ask the class to develop a Class Charter of Respect to reflect how they are going to achieve their Charter of Rights. For example: Right How you will achieve that right to be listened to and given the to listen to and respect each other’s views opportunity to express our opinions and opinions Extension/homework • In groups, children can make lists of rights and respects in the playground, at home or in the community. Teachers notes: Many people think that rights are dependent on responsibilities. This is inaccurate and a common misunderstanding. Children’s rights, like all human rights, are unconditional. This means there are no conditions attached to rights. Rights can never be a reward for the fulfilment of a responsibility and they can never be taken away because a ‘responsibility’ hasn’t been met. Children’s rights are also universal, so both adults and children should be encouraged to respect rights but this does not mean that a child’s rights are dependent on them respecting the rights of others. For further information, common misconceptions about children’s rights see UNICEF’s advice: (UNCRC).
Activity4_Rights_in_the_Classroom_5_7yrs.docx