Definition of Human Rights:
Human rights are based on the principle of respect for the individual. Their fundamental assumption is that each person is a moral and rational being who deserves to be treated with dignity. They are called human rights because they are universal. Whereas nations or specialized groups enjoy specific rights that apply only to them, human rights are the rights to which everyone is entitled—no matter who they are or where they live—simply because they are alive. As found on United for Human Rights (http://www.humanrights.com/what-are-human-rights.html).
Additional Resources
United for Human Rights
http://www.humanrights.com/what-are-human-rights.html
Universal Declaration of Human Rights (complete version)
http://www.humanrights.com/what-are-human-rights/universal-declaration-of-human-rights/preamble.html
Universal Declaration of Human Rights (plain language version)
http://www.un.org/cyberschoolbus/humanrights/resources/plain.asp
UNICEF: United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund
http://www.unicef.org/
Declaration of the Rights of the Child (complete version)
http://www.ohchr.org/en/professionalinterest/pages/crc.aspx
Declaration of the Rights of the Child (plain language version)
http://www.un.org/cyberschoolbus/humanrights/resources/plainchild.asp
Human rights are based on the principle of respect for the individual. Their fundamental assumption is that each person is a moral and rational being who deserves to be treated with dignity. They are called human rights because they are universal. Whereas nations or specialized groups enjoy specific rights that apply only to them, human rights are the rights to which everyone is entitled—no matter who they are or where they live—simply because they are alive. As found on United for Human Rights (http://www.humanrights.com/what-are-human-rights.html).
Additional Resources
United for Human Rights
http://www.humanrights.com/what-are-human-rights.html
Universal Declaration of Human Rights (complete version)
http://www.humanrights.com/what-are-human-rights/universal-declaration-of-human-rights/preamble.html
Universal Declaration of Human Rights (plain language version)
http://www.un.org/cyberschoolbus/humanrights/resources/plain.asp
UNICEF: United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund
http://www.unicef.org/
Declaration of the Rights of the Child (complete version)
http://www.ohchr.org/en/professionalinterest/pages/crc.aspx
Declaration of the Rights of the Child (plain language version)
http://www.un.org/cyberschoolbus/humanrights/resources/plainchild.asp
Children's Literature
1. Night Commander by Ahmad Akbarpour (2008).
A young boy who has lost his leg — and his mother — in the war, acts out imaginary battles against his enemies, seeking revenge, until he “sees” that the “enemy” is young, too, and also has experienced loss.
2. Shoebox Sam by Mary Brigid Zondervan (2011).
Delia and Jessie spend Saturdays with Shoebox Sam, who teaches them about making old shoes new again and helping those in need.
3. December by Eve Bunting (1997).
Simon and his mom live in the tiny cardboard house they’ve built for themselves. On Christmas Eve they don’t have much, but it’s more than the woman who comes knocking on their door has. Does their generosity bring them a miracle?
4. My Brother Charlie by Holly Robinson (2010).
Callie and Charlie are twins who adore each other and have a lot in common. They’re also different. Charlie has autism. Callie talks about many of the things she loves and admires about Charlie — and about some of the challenges of living with a brother who has autism.
5.The Can Man by Laura E. Williams (2010).
Tim’s family doesn’t have a lot of money, but he really wants a skateboard for his birthday. When he sees Mr. Peters, “The Can Man”, who is homeless, collecting cans, Tim gets the idea to collect enough cans to pay for his skateboard, even though that means Mr. Peters gets less … it’s only until Tim’s birthday after all. Tim really wants that skateboard, but a couple of encounters with Mr. Peters give him pause about what to do with the money he’s earned.
6. All Kinds of Friends, Even Green by Ellen B. Senisi (2002).
When Moses’s first grade class is assigned to write an essay about a friend, Moses, who has spina bifida, considers classmates, his teacher, neighbors and others, before deciding to write about his friend Zaki, an iguana who is missing her back toes.
A young boy who has lost his leg — and his mother — in the war, acts out imaginary battles against his enemies, seeking revenge, until he “sees” that the “enemy” is young, too, and also has experienced loss.
2. Shoebox Sam by Mary Brigid Zondervan (2011).
Delia and Jessie spend Saturdays with Shoebox Sam, who teaches them about making old shoes new again and helping those in need.
3. December by Eve Bunting (1997).
Simon and his mom live in the tiny cardboard house they’ve built for themselves. On Christmas Eve they don’t have much, but it’s more than the woman who comes knocking on their door has. Does their generosity bring them a miracle?
4. My Brother Charlie by Holly Robinson (2010).
Callie and Charlie are twins who adore each other and have a lot in common. They’re also different. Charlie has autism. Callie talks about many of the things she loves and admires about Charlie — and about some of the challenges of living with a brother who has autism.
5.The Can Man by Laura E. Williams (2010).
Tim’s family doesn’t have a lot of money, but he really wants a skateboard for his birthday. When he sees Mr. Peters, “The Can Man”, who is homeless, collecting cans, Tim gets the idea to collect enough cans to pay for his skateboard, even though that means Mr. Peters gets less … it’s only until Tim’s birthday after all. Tim really wants that skateboard, but a couple of encounters with Mr. Peters give him pause about what to do with the money he’s earned.
6. All Kinds of Friends, Even Green by Ellen B. Senisi (2002).
When Moses’s first grade class is assigned to write an essay about a friend, Moses, who has spina bifida, considers classmates, his teacher, neighbors and others, before deciding to write about his friend Zaki, an iguana who is missing her back toes.