Good Learning Co.
SavannahYear 8
← Citizenship
CitizenshipRights, justice and the law25 min★★ difficulty

Human rights in action

Human rights are only as strong as the systems that enforce them — and citizens themselves play a part in protecting and using them.

Part of your national curriculum
  • Law and justice: Understand the concept of human rights and how they are protected, and the different ways a citizen can take part in decision-making and voting

Lesson overview

What you'll learn in this lesson

Understand the concept of human rights and how they are protected, and the different ways a citizen can take part in decision-making and voting

Key learning points

  • • Protecting human rights
  • • Taking part in decisions
  • • Everyday vigilance

This lesson at a glance

  • 25 minutes
  • 14 parts to scroll through
  • 3 quick checks
  • Marked quiz at the end
  • Gentle pace: short sittings with pauses

Words to know

conceptrightsprotectedcitizendecision-making

Scroll down — the lesson carries on below

Part 1 of 14 · Discover7%
1

Watch & discover

Part 1 of 14

Watch first

Human rights in action

An English teaching video on this topic from Kids Academy. Watch it, then scroll down for the lesson.

In a nutshell

Understand the concept of human rights and how they are protected, and the different ways a citizen can take part in decision-making and voting

2

Learning cycle

Part 2 of 14

Learning cycle 1 of 2

Part 1 · Protecting human rights

A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.

3

Explore the idea

Part 3 of 14

Learn

Protecting human rights

Human rights are protected through domestic laws, independent courts, and international agreements such as the European Convention on Human Rights. Organisations like the Equality and Human Rights Commission monitor how well rights are upheld in the UK.

4

Explore the idea

Part 4 of 14

Learn

Taking part in decisions

Citizens can influence decision-making by voting in elections and referendums, joining consultations, or standing for elected positions. Each of these routes gives people a say in laws and policies that affect their rights.

5

Quick check

Part 5 of 14

Quick check

Which UK body monitors how well human rights are upheld?

6

Reset break

Part 6 of 14

Pause

That's sitting 1 of 2 done

Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.

Stop here for now
7

Quick check

Part 7 of 14

Quick check

Which is a way citizens can take part in decision-making?

8

Learning cycle

Part 8 of 14

Learning cycle 2 of 2

Part 2 · Everyday vigilance

A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.

9

Explore the idea

Part 9 of 14

Learn

Everyday vigilance

Protecting rights is not only the job of courts and governments; citizens who speak up against discrimination or support others facing injustice help keep human rights meaningful in daily life.

10

Quick check

Part 10 of 14

Quick check

What is an everyday way to help protect human rights?

11

Challenge round

Part 11 of 14

Game · Sort it

Which of these are true?

Drag each card into the right column. Tap a card first if dragging is fiddly.

True

Not true

12

Challenge round

Part 12 of 14

Game · Fill the gaps

Finish the sentences

Choose the word that belongs in each gap.

Human ____ are protected through domestic laws, independent courts, and international agreements such as the European Convention on Human Rights.

Citizens can influence ____ by voting in elections and referendums, joining consultations, or standing for elected positions.

13

Mastery quiz

Part 13 of 14

Marked quiz

End of lesson quiz: Human rights in action

3 questions, marked with the reasoning shown. No timer.

  1. 1. Which UK body monitors how well human rights are upheld?

  2. 2. Which is a way citizens can take part in decision-making?

  3. 3. What is an everyday way to help protect human rights?

14

Lesson round-up

Part 14 of 14

Lesson round-up

Ready when you are

Quiz score

Not sat

Games

Not played

Points this lesson

0

Best run

0 in a row

Luna: 0 out of 3 on the practice checks. Only if you feel up to it — one more?

Ask Luna

Do the work

Your written work for this lesson

This is the part you'd do in your book at school. Pick the pieces below, write here or on paper, and photograph anything you draw or work out.

Case study

Should the town centre have a curfew for under-16s?

After a rise in reported vandalism, Harbrook council proposed that under-16s should not be in the town centre after 9 pm without an adult. Police recorded 62 incidents last year, most between 9 pm and midnight. Shopkeepers signed a petition supporting the plan.

A youth council objected. They pointed out that most young people in town at night were going home from sports clubs or work, that the plan punishes a whole group for the acts of a few, and that the library and the bus interchange are in the town centre. They asked instead for a late bus and a youth space.

The council voted to trial the curfew for six months and to publish the crime figures at the end.

Written for Good Learning Co.

Reading questions

  1. Give the strongest point on each side of the argument, using a fact from the case.
  2. Whose rights and whose responsibilities are involved here? Explain both.
  3. Write your own view on the curfew with reasons and one example.

  • Reading and response

    Reading

    Read the case in the lesson again and write what you think should happen, and why it is fair. Use one fact from the case as evidence.

    2 paragraphs (PEE)

  • Extended writing

    Writing

    Write your answer to the lesson's big question in full: the strongest point on each side, then your own view with reasons and an example.

    250–350 words

  • Reading log

    Reading

    Find one news story this week that links to this lesson. Note the headline, where you read it, and how it connects.

    1 story, 4–5 sentences

  • Two sides of the argument

    Writing

    Write the strongest point for, the strongest point against, and then your own view with a reason.

    3 paragraphs

  • Poster or leaflet plan

    Diagram

    Plan a leaflet that explains this right or responsibility to someone your age, then photograph it.

    1 planned page

Saved as you type.

Part 1 of 14 · Watch & discover

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    Understand the concept of human rights and how they are protected, and the different ways a citizen can take part in decision-making and voting

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