Primer for Democratic and Human Rights Education: Citizenship Education

Felisa Tibbitts: A Primer for Selecting Democratic and Human Rights Education Teaching Materials

Title: Citizenship Education -- Alternative Curriculum for Upper Elementary Level (ages 10-15).
Author: Jana Ondrácková
Publisher: Czech Helsinki Committee
Place and Date of Publication: Prague, 1995
Languages: Czech and English

MODEL LESSON (pp. 7-9)

THEME I - ME

The most important rights of the child are encompassed in the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Discuss the history and main articles of the Convention.

Inquiry: Which are the most important rights of the child and when and how are they most frequently violated?

The right to life as the fundamental right.

When is it most frequently violated?

Does man have the right to take his own life?

Every child has the right to a name.

What do we know about names -- when did people start having surnames? Would you choose your name? We shall not laugh at anyone for his name. It depends on each and everyone what value he will give to his name.

Documents which confirm one's name and surname: the birth certificate, the identity card, etc. These will differ from country to country.

Practical exercise: Every child will place a card with his name on the desk in front of him.

The children learn to introduce themselves. They will investigate their family's name,

tradition and history. What do I have in common with the relatives I have been named after?

Names in other countries and nationalities -- what they mean. Visit the registrar's office.

Every child has the right to health.

Health care in this country and elsewhere. Why do we have compulsory vaccination? Discussion. The rights of healthy and disabled children in society.

Practical exercises:

Project: Do you know a disabled person or child? How are his family, the school, health and social care, etc.? Who is caring for him? The integration of disabled children in school and life.

What are the most frequent disabilities in our country and elsewhere? Invite specialists (medical doctor, teacher) to discuss the issue with children.

Exercise: Invite a pediatrician to discuss health matters with the children. First aid course - a lecture on a healthy life style, smoking, alcoholism, drug addiction, sex education, the danger of AIDS. It is better to invite experts in the field to explain and to discuss these issues with the children.

Health care in other countries -- the developing countries. Compare with your country. Use UNICEF, WHO and other materials.

The abused child -- discuss and ask the children to investigate if there is such a child in their neighborhood. Teach them their responsibility to report every such case. Possibly invite an expert or someone with experience with the identification and treatment of such children.

Health documents: insurance card, vaccination card, dental card.

Health care and medicaments: what is free of charge and what is not. Regular medical checkups and why they are important.

Every child has the right to education.

The importance of education, the history of compulsory school attendance. Compulsory school attendance as the manifestation of the right to education -- discussion.

Practical exercises: What do you know about the education system in your country and elsewhere? Is this right being violated? Investigate.

Documents confirming a person's educational status. School reports, diploma, apprenticeship certificate, etc.

Other individual, human and children's rights.

Distribute to the children the abbreviated and adapted version of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (which forms an integral part of the curriculum), an the abbreviated text of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Explain and discuss the two documents and the differences between them.