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BRINGING TOPICS LIKE THE EU, HUMAN RIGHTS, CITIZENSHIP,POVERTY,
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES CLOSE TO STUDENTS
by Janos Blasszauer
These activities have been designed originally for the Spring
Day for Europe2010 campaign but they can definitely be used in
other relevant context.
POLLING THE STUDENTS
Teacher introduces the poll. Here goes an explanation of this
activity:
Students should receive statements related to the topics of
human rights,citizenship, the EU, the environment, and as a matter
of fact on anything that theteacher would like students to focus
on. Students will have to express theirfeelings concerning the
statements. They are expected to indicate whether theyagree,
disagree or have no opinion about certain issues. They are supposed
to lifup a colour-coded card to indicate this (see the colour code
on the PPT file).The statements are read out by the teacher and
projected on a screen. Aftereach question a new slide will give
some relevant information to students aboutthe topic they have
voiced their opinion. In some cases before showing this so-called
Info slide a slide which gives further information on a particular
topic thestatement refers to- the teacher should elicit some
possible answers, getfeedback from students and make this activity
as interactive and engaging aspossible. If he/she sees this works
well and students are very active then thistechnique can be used
throughout the session.
MUSIC QUIZ
Teacher introduces the music quiz.
Students will hear different tunes from some famous songs and
they will have tofind out the performers name as well as the songs
title (e.g Stand up for yourright by Bob Marley). All the songs
should be related to the topics the classfocuses on.The first
student who raises his/her hand and gives a correct answer should
getsome kind of reward immediately on the spot. This can give a
further boost to theexcitement.
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MUSIC QUIZ
SONGS FOR TEACHING ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS
The following are examples of songs that support or raise
awareness of humanrights.
John Lennon: Give Peace a Chance, Imagine
Sarah McLachlan: Shelter
John Kongos (South Africa) Hes Gonna Step on You AgainWillie
Dunn: Charlie Wenjack (Willie Dunn is a Canadian
Aboriginal singer. The song is about 12
year old victim of residential schools who
died running away from school in 1966.)
Bob Marley (Wailers) Get Up, Stand Up, War
Billie Holiday, Strange Fruit, composed by Lewis Allen
(real name Abel Meerepol)
Gordon Lightfoot: Black Day in JulyBuffy Ste-Marie: Universal
Soldier, Bury My Heart at
Wounded KneeU2: One, Sunday Bloody Sunday, The Refugee
Buffalo Springfield: For What Its Worth
Joan Baez: We Shall Overcome
Bob Dylan: The Times They Are a Changing
Sting: They Dance Alone
Bruce Cockburn: Its Going Down Slow, Call It Democracy
Bryan Adams, David Foster: Tears Are Not Enough
The Hollies, Cher, Rufus Wainwright: He Aint Heavy, Hes
MyBrother
Note that there are also many examples of performing artists who
haveperformed in benefit concerts in support of human rights or who
have publiclychampioned human rights causes. Gathering such kind of
news clippings aboutthese events and creating a portfolio of Human
Rights would be also a niceactivity.
