13 Teaching Ideas on Human Rights
During Universal Human Rights Month, in December, we invite you to use any of these Teaching Ideas grounded in social-emotional learning (SEL) that provide ample social and historical context while being concise and easy to integrate into your classroom conversations.
![Paper cut outs of face profiles in different skin tones.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-04/graphical_diversity_paper_faces_1894061167.jpeg?h=3a5dff94&itok=qAstbdWw)
The Union As It Was
Students examine documents that shed light on life in the South under the policies of Presidential Reconstruction in 1865 and 1866.
![Photo shows a group of six African American men and women posed picking cotton in a field.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-07/Civil_Rights_Picking_Cotton_Savannah_1867_FH2177912.jpg?h=2b78d577&itok=DpnqiD0k)
Radical Reconstruction and the Birth of Civil Rights
Students learn about the responses to Johnson’s policies by Republicans in Congress and examine the fourteenth amendment that overturned Presidential Reconstruction.
![Photo of page 1 of the 14th amendment of the US Constitution](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-07/Civil_Rights_1868_14th_Amendment_of_the_United_States_Constitution_%20FH21203.jpg?h=4359e9ca&itok=4j99BHvV)
Expanding Democracy
Students reflect on the revolutionary changes that occurred because of the landmark legislation and amendments passed during the Reconstruction era.
![A studio portrait shows African American members of the General Assembly from 1887 to 1888](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-07/Civil_Rights_1887_Members_of_the_Virginia_GA_FH21416.jpg?h=4b21dcd5&itok=ZtAL-w-Y)
After Charlottesville: How Uncomfortable Conversations Can Overcome Hate
On-Demand
Virtual
Watch this conversation with journalist and author Eli Saslow to learn how white-supremacist ideas migrated from the far-right fringe to the streets of Charlottesville and beyond.
![Chalk on bricks on the sidewalk that says "End White Supremacy"](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-07/WhiteNationalism_RTS1WFW5_highres-305px-wide_0.jpeg?h=24afd704&itok=qmg0gyF9)
The Struggle over Women’s Rights
Students learn about the debate within the women’s rights movement over the passage of the Fourteenth and Fifteenth amendments.
![Five black women officers sitting for a portrait](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-07/5_female_Negro_officers_Womens_League_Newport_RI_Public_Domain.jpeg?h=1e888344&itok=0nc29UPK)
Analysing Gerald’s Character
Students develop their understanding of the character Gerald, exploring the differences between his treatment of Eva/Daisy and Sheila, whilst reflecting on Edwardian gender expectations.
![Gold diamond ring.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-09/Gold_Diamond_Ring_FH2182326.jpg?h=56d0ca2e&itok=DYI_Ti6z)
Bearing Witness to Eva Smith
Students reflect on Priestley’s portrayal of Eva Smith and consider the symbolism of having a character who only appears in the narrative second-hand.
![Woman educator of color reads to the classroom.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-09/London_School_Classroom_Educator_%20of_Color_2019_FH2117924.jpg?h=56d0ca2e&itok=JbFgqzT_)
Equality for All
Students explore some of the limitations of Reconstruction's transformation on US democracy and learn about groups who demanded that the promise of equality be made a reality.
![Seated portrait of women's voting rights advocate Susan B. Anthony.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-05/Ch02_Image05.png?h=498cfac0&itok=w8RpswXr)
The Cost of Labour
Students explore the moral codes of the world of the play, before being introduced to the concept of a universe of obligation and participating in a debate on workers’ rights.
![A sketch by Boardman Robinson of the New York Tribune depicting a miner emerging out of the earth with a pick axe and head seeking the light above.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-09/graphic_the_miner_emerges_%20FH2169297_0.png?h=0a09c077&itok=8r-ofs5x)
Eric's Decisions and Consent
Students consider the role power plays in the interactions between characters, focusing on the relationship between Eric and Eva, before discussing consent.
![Outward-facing palm.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-09/outward_facing_palm_FH2182332.jpg?h=d73728dc&itok=3dLlqKee)