Title: Service Learning: Lesson Plans and Projects
Country: United States
Authors: Kristine Belisle and Elizabeth Sullivan
CategoryCurricular Materials
Date of Publication: 2007
Keywords: citizen participation, global citizenship, human rights, political issues, service learning
Resource Language(s): English
Pages: 120
Level of Education: Middle School and High School
Publisher: Amnesty International USA and Human Rights Education Assoociates, Inc. (HREA); Amnesty International USA, 5 Penn Plaza, New York, New York 10001; website: www.aiusa.org; email: education @aiusa.org; HREA, 97 Lowell Road, Concord, Massachusetts 01742;
Access: This publication is available online on HREA's website: www.hrea.org/index.php?base_id=167 and can also be ordered from Amnesty International for $10.95.
Abstract: This unique manual integrates the human rights approach within the service learning tradition by promoting student exploration of community issues through a human rights lens. This lens involves associating local issues with rights contained in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; exploring the root causes of these violations; comparing local social justice challenges with global examples; and practicing active citizenship to address these issues. The manual contains lessons and suggestions for service learning projects in the following five topic areas: the environment, poverty, discrimination, children's rights to education and health, and law and justice. Each unit contains an introductory classroom lesson, suggestions for two possible service learning projects, reflection questions, and additional resources for teachers. The lessons are engaging and topical, including subjects such as refugees and immigration, homelessness, youth courts, literacy, and persons with disabilities.