Grades 11-12: Teaching About Children’s Rights Through the Work of Malala Yousafzai and Kailash Satyarthi
Rating: 
Common Core Standards
College and Career Readiness Anchor Standards for Reading
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.1: Read closely to determine what the text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it; cite specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions drawn from the text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.7: Integrate and evaluate content presented in diverse media and formats, including visually and quantitatively, as well as in words.
Description of Lesson
This ELA/Literacy lesson for Grades 11-12 titled “Teaching About Children’s Rights Through the Work of Malala Yousafzai and Kailash Satyarthi ” is from The Learning Network at the New York Times. The estimated instructional time is open-ended. The lesson plan includes several suggested stand-alone activities, as well as more time-intensive research opportunities for students to pursue on related topics. Through video and selected primary and secondary source materials, students explore the issue of children’s rights around the world. Several suggested authentic lesson assessments are provided.
Cautions
Connecticut teachers are cautioned that the activities as described would be most appropriate in Grades 11-12 due to the mature content of some of the student materials used, sites listed, and performance expectations. Teachers should preview the videos before using to make sure they are appropriate for their students. The plan as written does not include aligned rubrics or assessment guidelines to provide sufficient guidance for interpreting student performance. To meet the varied needs of students, supports and modifications may be needed. Discrete writing and language skill instruction may also be necessary if the extension activities are added. Prior to using this lesson plan in a history/social studies course, the addition of the English Language Arts Standards in History/Social Studies that are targeted in this lesson is necessary.
Rationale for Selection
This lesson plan is a good example of how to cultivate interest and engagement in reading, writing, and speaking by involving students in the study of a timely social issue. Students are routinely expected to draw evidence from a variety of sources to develop a point of view. The lesson provides authentic learning, application of literacy skills, student-directed inquiry, analysis, evaluation and/or reflection. The lesson plan provides extensions and/or more advanced text for students who read well above the grade level text band. Technology and media are used to deepen learning and draw attention to evidence and texts as appropriate. All materials needed for the lesson as described are included.