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Human Rights, Wants and Needs
Summary: Activity based on 'What is a Right?' from Partners in Rights: Creative activities exploring rights and citizenship for 6-7 year olds, Save the Children Fund 2000

Numeracy (NNS)/ Literacy (NLS) or other curriculum area focus/reference:

This activity meets many of the requirements of the KS2 Programme of study for English:

  • Speaking and listening
  • Group discussions and interaction

Resources needed: Photocopy of wants and needs cards
Target: Mid primary
Objectives: 1. To help children distinguish between wants and needs
2. To begin to develop a basic understanding of what a right is
3. To understand that Rights can help meet peoples needs
Length: 1hour
 
Description of activity
1. Before starting this activity make sure that everyone is familiar with the meaning of "Rights"
2. Divide the group into pairs or small groups.
3. Give each group a photocopy of the wants and needs sheet (see below)
4. 4. Explain that the group is going to be evacuated from the area. Ask children to imagine and suggest a reason for the evacuation (Earthquakes, severe pollution incident, volcanic eruption, flood warning, etc) and will be transported by boat to an Island. Each person will be allowed to take the items listed on the "wants and needs" cards and two other items of their choice. There is no information available about the island so the groups must take this into account when making their choices. Give each group 5-10 minutes to decide what their additional items will be and to cut the pack up into cards.
5. When all this has been finished explain that everyone will have to cut back on the amount of equipment they can take with them, so they will have to choose three items to hand back. Collect these from everyone. Look at choices made with the class.
6. When this has been achieved break the news that they will have to cut back even more, and that three more cards will have to be collected.
7.

Use the following questions to generate discussion about what the children crossed off their lists in the first and second rounds:

  • Was it difficult to decide what to take and what to leave?
  • Were there disagreements within the groups over what to cross off?· What were the main things which caused disagreement?
  • What are the differences between wants and needs?
  • Do the children have everything that they want?· Do the children have everything that they need?
  • Do the wants and needs of some people differ from those of others?
  • Can they think of some people who might not have all their needs and wants met - in this country or anywhere else?
8. Finally explain that 'Rights' can help people to have their needs and wants met, because a Right is an agreed principle - something that society agrees everyone deserves whoever and wherever they are. Rights can change over time and across different societies.
   
Areas of Oxfam Curriculum for Global Citizenship addressed by activity
Knowledge and Understanding Skills Values and Attitudes
Social justice and equity Critical thinking Sense of identity and self-esteem
Diversity Ability to argue effectively Empathy and sense of common humanity
Globalisation and Interdependence Ability to challenge injustice & inequalities Commitment to social justice and equity
Sustainable development Respect for people and things Valuing and respecting diversity*
Peace and conflict Co-operation and conflict resolution Concern for the environment and commitment to sustainable development
Belief that people can make a difference
Follow-up/Further ideas/Homework

 

Resources
NB: for accurate printing, the resources are available on separate pages - click here

 

Food
Medicines
Clean water
A computer
Materials to build somewhere to live
A special person to care for you
Money
Toys
Friends
Good clothes
   



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