Human rights and responsibilities
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the nature and significance of human rights alongside corresponding responsibilities.
Key learning points
- Human rights are based on the idea that all people have inherent dignity and should be treated fairly
- The Universal Declaration of Human Rights outlines basic rights that belong to every human being and influences laws
- The extent to which people receive these rights varies, e.g. historically Christianity has not always supported them
- Christian teaching supports human rights based on teachings about human dignity, love, justice and equality
- Rights often come with responsibilities to uphold such as the responsibility to honour and respect the rights of others
Keywords
Dignity - the worth and value of each human life
Justice - what is fair or right
Human rights - freedoms and protections every person should have because they are human
Responsiblities - the duty or obligation to act in a way that considers the impact on others
UDHR - the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the United Nations in 1948
Common misconception
Rights are more important than responsibilities
Most people believe that true justice involves both: rights must be protected, but everyone has a duty to care for others.
Teacher tip
Use powerful images or a short video showing individuals standing up for others’ rights (e.g. Malala Yousafzai or Desmond Tutu).
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.How is the Bible used in liturgical worship?
Q2.What is a key feature of baptism?
Q3.What do Christians remember during the Eucharist?
Q4.Which of these is an example of non-liturgical worship?
Q5.What is a misconception about baptism?
Q6.What is transubstantiation?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Human rights are based on the idea that every person has inherent and should be treated fairly.
Q2. Francis encouraged Christians to stand up for the dignity and rights of all people, especially the poor and vulnerable.
Q3.With rights come , such as respecting the rights and freedoms of others.
Q4.Why do Christians believe all people deserve human rights?
Q5.What is a responsibility that comes with freedom of speech?
Q6.Why is it wrong to think rights matter more than responsibilities?
To help you plan your 11 religious education lesson on: Human rights and responsibilities, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 religious education lesson on: Human rights and responsibilities, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 religious education lessons from the Religion, human rights and social justice unit, dive into the full secondary religious education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.