Amnesty International, Puerto Rican Section (1993). Our Rights! Series for Children and Youth. Puerto Rico: AI Puerto Rican Section. ISBN 0-9633407-2-7. Amnesty International Puerto Rican Section, 54 El Roble St., Office 11, Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico 00925, tel/fax 809-767-7095.
The series contains seven booklets based on the International Convention of the Rights of the Child. A Guide for Grownups (in English and Spanish only) introduces the other books to adults and explains how they may be used, with extra activities. Book 1 introduces the concept of human rights and responsibilities to children. Books 2-5 specifically address the convention under the four categories of how to survive, grow, be protected, and participate. They include a poem, a short description, and a thought about each topic. Book 6 is a glossary for children.
Castelle, Kay (1990). In the Childs Best Interest: A Primer on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Rhode Island: Plan International. $5.95. Plan International, 804 Quaker Lane, East Greenwich, Rhode Island 02818, tel 401-826-2500.
Describes the convention in simple terminology. The book explains why there are special rights for children with elaboration and statistics on child rights violations. The articles of the convention are interpreted and illustrated by drawings done by children all over the world.
Castelle, Kay, and Dennis Nurske (1990). In the Spirit of Peace: A Global Introduction to Childrens Rights. New York: Defense for Children International-SA. $7.95. Defense for Children International-USA, 30 Irving Place, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10003, tel 212-228-4773, fax 212-228-4275.
Examines 23 childrens rights issues as they pertain to children of countries and cultures all over the world. Each right is developed into a lesson designed specifically for the classroom. Readings are paired with discussion questions, background information, and related activities and often illustrated with cartoons, maps, and other images from a variety of cultures. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child is used as a framework for the group, dividing the rights into survival, protection, and development.
Edmunds, Beverly C., and William R. Fernekes, eds. (April/May 1992). "The Rights of the Child" theme issue in Social Education, vol. 56, no. 4. National Council for the Social Studies, 3501 Newark St. NW, Washington, DC 20016, tel 202-966-7840.
This special section examines in detail the rights of children according to provisions in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. It also contains classroom ideas for learning about childrens issues and providing opportunities for children to practice these rights and responsibilities.
Hatch, Virginia, et al. (1992). Human Rights for Children: A Curriculum for Teaching Human Rights to Children Ages 3-12. Alameda: Hunter House Inc. $10.95. ISBN 0-89793-121-1. Hunter House Inc., P.O. Box 2914, Alameda, CA 94501-0451, tel 510-865-5282, fax 510-865-4295.
See "Preschool to Grade 4" for abstract.
Hoffman, Dorothy, Cleo Simonette, and Mary Eileen Sorenson (1991). A Childs Right: A Safe and Secure World. Minnesota: United Nations Association. $14.95. UNA-MN, 1929 South 5th St., Minneapolis, MN 55454, tel 215-569-8850.
In 1989 the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Convention of the Rights of the Child, guaranteeing basic rights to all children. This module has students "adopt" an infant from another region of the world, taking personal responsibility for their new "brother" or "sister." This responsibility takes the form of activities of celebrating the naming of the child and activities exploring rights, including health, security, freedoms, economic well-being, and education. This module has contacts for teachers and students worldwide, with whom students can link to receive information on that area and on "growing up" in the region. In turn, students will share their dreams for their "adopted" brother or sister. The module includes the UN Charter Preamble, the Human Rights Charter, and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Programme Service of the World Scout Bureau (1990). Youth for Rights--Young People Respond to the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Geneva: World Scout Bureau, Box 241, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland.
This pack provides a concise overview of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and how to introduce it to young people. Designed specifically for youth organizations, it can be used in two main ways: by youth leaders to incorporate childrens issues and human rights into their programs, and by 16- to 25-year-olds to carry out activities with children. Fact sheets, discussion, and activity ideas as well as introductory material is included.
Smith, Lesley (1988). Dimensions of Childhood: A Handbook for Social Education at Sixteen Plus. London: Health Education Authority. 3.50 pounds. ISBN 0-903652-44-5. Health Education Authority, Hamilton House, Mabledon Place, London WC1H 9T, United Kingdom.
This teachers handbook aims to promote understanding and valuing of childhood and a multicultural society, to consider childhood in relation to political and economic ifluences as well as ethnicity, gender, and class, and to affirm the range of physical and relational contexts for growing up. Group work and discovery methods allow participants personal choice of a topic on six "dimensions" of childhood. These are "World Wide," "Multicultural," "Social and Economic," "Gender," "Historical," and "Hidden" (marginalised groups). The course comprises three phases. "Preparation" includes eight activities and handouts, phase two is "Enquiry," and phase three is "Presentation, Discussion, and Evaluation."
Stroud, Marilyn (1993). Reaching Children: In Celebration of the Rights of the Child: An Activity-Based Teachers Unit. New York: UNICEF. Free upon request: tel 212-686-5522.
A wonderfully written and illustrated pamphlet presenting ten articles of the convention, with details of child rights violations in different parts of the world and descriptions of UNICEF activities to deal with the problems. Twenty-six activities are then outlined in conjunction with the various articles.
UNICEF (1989-1990). No Life for a Child: A Tape-Discussion Pack on the Convention on the Rights of the Child. UNICEF/UK: 55 Lincolns Field Inn, London WC2A 31VB, United Kingdom, tel 44-71-405-5592.
Includes three 15-minute programs on armed conflict, health, education, substance abuse, child labor, and children without families. Interviews with children around the world and commentary by a BBC reporter. One booklet contains suggested discussion questions and actions to take and another is the text of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Intended for adult use, but can be used in high school.
UNICEF (1989). The Rights of the Worlds Children. Geneva: UNICEF. ISBN 92-806-002-8. Palais des Nations, CH-1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland, tel 4122-798 58 50, fax 4122-791 08 22.
This education kit outlines case studies, discussion questions, activities, role playing, and background information, with suggested age ranges. The material is arranged into eight categories covering themes such as identity, food and security, education and creative expression, family, equality, violence, war, and the law.
UNICEF-UK (1990). A Project to Introduce the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child: The Whole Child, Its Our Right, Keep Us Safe, Teachers Handbook. Vols. 1-4. United Kingdom: Save the Children and Oxford Development Education Unit. ISBN 1-871440-03-3.
The Whole Child is the first volume of UNICEF-UK books designed to introduce the Convention on the Rights of the Child. It deals with the articles covering the childs participation in his/her own development. It is a compilation of innovative, experiential approaches and child-centered activities teaching about a childs basic cultural identity, his/her childhood, and involvement in the wider society. Although there is a British perspective to the teaching, many activities are suitable for children anywhere, and most activities may be easily adapted.
The second volume, Its Our Right, deals with those articles of the Convention of the Rights of the Child which cover provision for the childs physical and emotional development, including nutritious food, clean water, and health services. It examines these rights and introduces case studies on the lives of children in both the UK and other countries.
The third volume, Keep Us Safe, expands upon the protection articles, rights which require adults to care for the children by protecting them from psychological, emotional, physical, and sexual maltreatment. The right to rehabilitation is stressed throughout. As in the other two books in the series, related articles expand on the various experiential activities focusing on children worldwide whose various protective rights are not recognized.
This fourth volume, Teachers Handbook, is a companion guide and provides background for the teacher about the rights of the child and how other disciplines can include teaching about these rights. It also includes an official text of the convention with unofficial summaries of the provisions.
van Buren, Carla (1992). Children Hungering for Justice. Denver: Center for Teaching International Relations. Center for Teaching International Relations, University of Denver, 2201 South Gaylord St., Denver, CO 80208, tel 303-871-3106, fax 303-871-2906.
Three 20-page curricula on the topics of justice, street children, the right to food, the role of the United Nations, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The curricula treats the same themes with increasingly mature activities and discussion for grades K-4, 5-8, and 9-12. Good background information including charts, diagrams, tables, and grade-appropriate lessons. Pamphlets can be purchased separately.
Williams, Roy (1987). Children and World Development: A Resource Book for Teachers. United Kingdom: The Richmond Publishing Co. ISBN 0-85546-041-5. UNICEF-UK, 55 Lincolns Inn Fields, London WC2A 3NB, and the Richmond Publishing Co. Ltd., Orchard Road, Richmond Surrey TW9 4PD, United Kingdom.
The resource book provides teachers with basic information, statistical details, diagrams, case stories, photographs, and suggestions of additional resources. It aims to create in teachers and students an informed awareness of living conditions of women and children in the developing world. Seven units and an appendix address the state of the worlds children, children in difficult circumstances, women and development, children and the world situation, childrens rights, Africa, a case study, and children as refugees.
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