Teaching Resources for Scotland

Amnesty produces a range of human rights education resources linked to the Curriculum for Excellence to help teachers in Scotland bring human rights into the classroom.

We also produce free downloadable Amnesty resources in Gaelic

Much of our work is done in partnership with IDEAS (the International Development Education Association of Scotland), the coalition of Development Education Centres and NGOs in Scotland. 

Latest Amnesty news for teachers in Scotland:

• Human Rights and Curriculum For Excellence
• Share your experiences of teaching human rights
• Primary and Secondary Teacher Training Opportunities

Activity pack:  Seeking safety

Age group: 6+
Cost: Free

A selection of activities for primary classes to explore asylum and refugee issues in a participatory way.  Created by our Edinburgh office for schools in Scotland, this is a great resource for schools anywhere in the UK.

Download: Activity pack: Seeking safety

SCOTTISH CURRICULUM RESOURCE: CHILD SOLDIERS

Age group: 11-14
Cost: Free

A resource on child soldiers, suitable for Curriculum for Excellence, based on a talk by a former child soldier.

Download: Child Soldiers resource

TEACHING RESOURCES: CHINA

These resources have been designed for the new Curriculum for Excellence, to help teachers in Scotland introduce human rights to a number of different subjects and as a cross-curricular theme. Most of the resources are available in English and Gaelic. They are aimed primarily at 11-16 year olds, depending on the ability of the students.

LESSON PLANS

Closing Minds - Designed for use in English/Literacy classes and tailored to the Curriculum for Excellence, this lesson uses poetry and cartoons to explore issues around censorship and freedom of expression.
Download: Closing Minds

The Great Firewall of China - Designed for use in ICT classes, this lesson uses film, internet research and informal role play to explore internet repression in China.
Download: The Great Firewall of China | Balla-Bacaidh Mor Shiona (Gaelic)

The Death Penalty and China - Designed for use in Maths classes and tailored to the Curriculum for Excellence, this lesson explores statistics and views on the death penalty world-wide and in China in particular. Pupils use mathematical techniques to explore and present data.
Download: The Death Penalty in China | A' Bhinn Bais Ann An Siona Agus Air Feadh An T-Saoghail (Gaelic)

MULTIMEDIA RESOURCES

Powerpoint: Images of China - A powerpoint presentation of images, complete with notes for teachers, to illustrate The Great Firewall of China, The Death Penalty in China and The World and Closing Minds lessons. Images include: the death penalty, James Fenton, Helena Hung, the Tiananmen Mothers and Shi Tao and his poetry. Download powerpoint presentation.

Chinese Music on Human Rights - This haunting and beautiful song is used to commemorate those who were killed in the massacre in Tiananmen Square, Beijing. You could use it at the beginning of an assembly on China, or at the start of a lesson.  It is sung by Chinese human rights campaigner, Helena Hung. Lyrics in Chinese and English / Download MP3

Short Animations on Human Rights in China - These hard-hitting animations introduce human rights issues in China such as torture and the death penalty.  They can be used with ages 11+. However, although they are cartoons, they are very powerful and may not be suitable for your classes - please check before viewing! Animations

'Tiananmen' - James Fenton, journalist, poet and university professor, wrote this poem in China ten days after the 4 June massacre in Tiananmen square in Beijing. The poem is used as part of the lesson plan Closing Minds (above), but this recording of James reading his poem could also be used as part of another lesson, or an assembly.  Download MP3

OTHER RESOURCES

French: Text and Suggested Activities - French teachers can bring human rights into their classroom with this text on the death penalty in China.
Download: Teaching resources for French classes

China Campaign Materials - Amnesty's campaign materials on human rights in China include case studies, action sheets, stickers, t-shirt transfers and downloadable placards. Resources for teaching human rights in China

Scottish Curriculum resource: Slavery Today

Age group: 14+
Cost: Free
A lesson of activities to raise awareness of modern forms of slavery, with a particular focus on trafficking, a modern day slave trade and one of the fastest growing forms of slavery. A Scottish Curriculum for Excellence resource suitable for History, RME, PSHE and cross-curricular work on Citizenship.

Download: Slavery Today (Scottish Curriculum) | Trailleachd An-Diugh (Gaelic)

More Amnesty Resources

In addition to our resources linked specifically to the Scottish Curriculum for Excellence, Amnesty International produces a wide range of resources which can be adapted for use across the UK.

These resources for human rights classroom activities include curriculum-integrated powerpoint presentations, DVDs, worksheets, posters and books, accompanied by teachers notes and actions for pupils can take. Explore Amnesty's teaching resources

Teachrights

TeachRights is our network for teachers interested in bringing human rights into the classroom. Check out the latest TeachRights ezine, which includes a calendar of upcoming human rights events plus details of recommended courses for pupils and professional development. Sign up now

School Speakers

Amnesty International Scotland can arrange for an Amnesty member to come to your school to speak about our work or to run a workshop on one of our campaigns such as control arms, the death penalty or refugees. If you would like to invite a speaker, please email scotland@amnesty.org.uk

Please note that as part of our commitment to working with young people, Amnesty has developed a Child Protection Policy. In line with current good practice, if you invite a speaker to come to your school or youth group, please ensure that:

• As a guest in your school or youth group, the speaker is accompanied by a teacher, youth group leader or member of staff at all times
• You have discussed the content of the session with them beforehand and that you are happy with the areas they will be covering.

Interested in becoming a speaker? We run free training days for people who want to take part in our volunteer speaker programme, designed to help develop the skills you need: Gain confidence in speaking to school groups Discover a wide range of Human Rights resources Share good practice You will find details of upcoming speaker training days on our speakers page

SHARE AMNESTY RESOURCES

Order a free poster for your staffroom noticeboard - email scotland@amnesty.org.uk

Human Rights and Curriculum For Excellence

Amnesty's new Human Rights and Curriculum For Excellence leaflet (pdf) gives details of all our Primary and Secondary classroom resources that have been tailored to the new Curriculum for Excellence in Scotland. These resources are suitable for teaching under Health & Wellbeing, Expressive Arts, Religious & Moral Education and Social Sciences, and focus on a range of issues, including China, child soldiers, modern slavery and poverty. Many are also suitable for teaching across subjects.