These lesson plans will help you teach about children’s rights in your class.
They’ve been specifically designed for pupils with additional learning needs, but could work in other settings too.
Lesson one: Introduction to children’s rights
This session will focus on introducing children’s rights and Sally Holland, the Children’s Commissioner for Wales.
Pupils will work together to create and sign a class charter.
For this lesson, you will need:
- Picture Pack
- Children’s rights poster or symbols pack
- Photo of Sally Holland, the Children’s Commissioner for Wales
- Photos/ objects of reference
- Classroom Charter template
Lesson two: Growing up (Development)
This lesson focusses on the things children need to grow up happy and healthy.
For this lesson, you will need:
- Optional – “Growing up” Social Story (Email us to receive a copy)
- Picture Pack – Development section
- Symbols pack
- Relevant objects of reference
- My Rights Booklet for each pupil
Lesson three: My Emotions (Development)
In this lesson, pupils will explore what makes them happy.
For this lesson, you will need:
- Optional – “Growing up” Social Story (Email us to receive a copy)
- Picture Pack – Development section
- Symbols pack
- Relevant objects of reference
- Feelings cards (use feelings cards already available in class)
- My Rights Booklet
Lesson four: Staying Safe (Protection)
In this lesson pupils will talk about the importance of staying safe and will identify a person or place that makes them feel safe.
For this lesson, you will need:
- Optional – “Staying Safe” Social Story (Email us to receive a copy)
- Picture Pack – Protection section
- Symbols pack
- Relevant objects of reference
- My Rights Booklet
Lesson five: People who can help us (Protection)
This lesson will focus on people who help pupils in their school and local community.
For this lesson, you will need:
- Optional – “People who help us” Social Story (Email us to receive a copy)
- Picture Pack – Protection section
- Symbols pack
- Relevant objects of reference
- Dress up costumes
- Images of people in your community who help pupils
- My Rights Booklet
Lesson six: Have your say (Participation)
In this lesson, pupils will develop pupil voice and have their say either by sharing their experiences or by sharing issues that affect them in school.
For this lesson, you will need:
- Optional – “Participation” Social Story (Email us to receive a copy)
- Picture Pack – Participation section
- Hot seat/ chair
- Relevant objects of reference
- Symbols Pack
- My Rights Booklet
Lesson seven: It’s the taking part that counts (Participation)
This lesson can be repeated until the whole class has had the opportunity to share their favourite activity.
This lesson encourages pupils to take part and try something new and celebrates their achievements.
For this lesson, you will need:
- Optional – “Participation” Social Story (Email us to receive a copy)
- Picture Pack – Participation section
Extra resources will depend on pupils choices
Lesson Eight: Treasure Hunt (Survival)
This is a fun lesson for pupils to explore their rights, working as a team pupils will have to find their rights on a treasure hunt around your school.
For this lesson, you will need:
- Optional – “Survival” Social Story (Email us to receive a copy)
- Picture Book – Survival section
- Symbols Pack
- Relevant objects of reference
- My Rights Booklet
Lesson nine: build your own den/ shelter (Survival)
This lesson is another fun session for pupils to reinforce their learning over the past 8 sessions. Pupils will work together to create a den.
For this lesson, you will need:
- Optional – “Survival” Social Story (Email us to receive a copy)
- Picture book – Survival section
- Symbols Pack
- Relevant objects of reference
- Materials for building an outdoor den
- Healthy snack
- My Rights Booklet
Lesson ten: Plenary
This lesson is an opportunity for pupils to share their learning, celebrate their achievements, and complete their My Rights Booklet.
For this lesson, you will need:
- Photo of Sally Holland, the Children’s Commissioner for Wales
- Social Stories
- Picture Pack
- Symbols Pack
- Relevant objects of reference
- My Rights Booklet