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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 on December 10, a global holiday marking the date the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. 

Grades 8-12

How Do Human Rights Work?

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

Grades K-12

Pennies for Peace

Pennies for Peace is an international service-learning project that inspires students to believe they can make a difference in the world. The toolkit is grouped by grades K–4, 5–8, and 9–12 and links to social studies, math, and literacy standards.

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 had a positive influence on their situation. Categories include items such as human rights, child mortality, and cultural heritage.

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 K-12

Project Ready

Skim through these 27 teaching modules that focus on improving relationships with and instruction to multicultural youth. Each module includes videos and audio examples that concentrate on the topic. Get started with ideas in the Curriculum Guide.

Grades K-12

Promoting A Sense Of Self: Experiences And Activities

Learn strategies you can use to support and encourage your students in this self-paced professional development lesson. Understand anti-bias teaching methods that recognize and support individual student needs and share them with your colleagues.

Grades 8-12

Social Justice Standards: Unpacking Identity

Discover the five identity anchor standards and how identity affects relationships in schools and classrooms. Use the charts to reflect and focus on your identity, and use school-related scenarios to learn how to apply these standards to your lessons.

Grades 3-7

Sojourner Truth: Abolitionist and Human Rights Activist

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

Grades 9-12

Created Equal

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

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 our world. Topics include poverty, education, human rights, and more. Choose from links on the home page to find more information about human rights.

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