The Right Start is the first in the series of Lift Off materials, which have been developed for use in the primary school classroom to promote understanding and respect for human rights. It has been written for 4-7 year old children by a team of experienced and practising teachers from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. This resource complements the primary curriculum on both sides of the border and in particular helps meet the aims of SPHE (in the Republic of Ireland) and PDMU (in Northern Ireland).
The Right Start enables children from Junior Infants to 2nd Class (Republic of Ireland) and Primary 1 to Primary 3 (Northern Ireland) to equip themselves with such ‘soft skills’ that will encourage them to develop an active respect for their own and other’s human rights. These skills are grouped around the five main themes of empathy, communication, cooperation, respect and responsibility and conflict resolution. Each theme is comprised of lessons graded according to level of complexity, from those suited to the very youngest in the school to those which will challenge the older children.
All three books in the Lift Off series have been written and piloted by primary school teachers drawn from the INTO (Irish National Teachers’ Organisation) and UTU (Ulster Teachers’ Union). They have been compiled in line with curricular changes in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland and with an awareness of the practical challenges facing teachers in the classroom.
Some Quotes from Teachers:
“It seems to me that this programme is a lot more readily accessible than, say, other programmes…it’s quite teacher-friendly as well as being child-friendly”
“These 4 – 5 year old students, kids, who rarely think beyond themselves or the girls at their table started to relate to each other in new terms: ‘I like you because …….’; ‘You’re very good at doing ……’; ‘I am happy when I see you ……’; ‘It makes me unhappy to see you …….’”
Lift Off is the second in the series of Lift Off materials, which have been developed for use in the primary school classroom to promote understanding and respect for human rights. It has been written for 8-10 year old children by a team of experienced and practising teachers from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Lift Off enables children in 3rd and 4th class (Republic of Ireland) and Primary 4 and Primary 5 (Northern Ireland) to learn about human rights as outlined in the UN Convention on the Rights of Child and to explore the principles underpinning these rights. This resource complements the primary curriculum on both sides of the border and in particular helps meet the aims of SPHE (in the Republic of Ireland) and PDMU (in Northern Ireland).
The Lift Off book is based on an outer space character called CROC (Convention on the Rights of the Child). CROC is from another planet and comes to earth for the purpose of finding out about our lives. The children engage with CROC by responding to its questions and examining some of the problems it encounters while here on earth. The materials begin with CROC arriving on earth in a spaceship. During its time here, CROC has to report to its High Council on what it is learning. When CROC finally leaves, it takes with it the commitment of each child to promote human rights and responsibilities ... this is the final LIFT OFF. Teachers have reported that their classes loved the idea of CROC and that it has worked exceptionally well as a tool for exploring human rights.
All three books in the Lift Off series have been written and piloted by primary school teachers drawn from the INTO (Irish National Teachers’ Organisation) and UTU (Ulster Teachers’ Union). They have been compiled in line with curricular changes in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland and with an awareness of the practical challenges facing teachers in the classroom.
Some Quotes from Teachers:
"I think the pack itself, particularly the way the pack is presented, is brilliant. You can tell it is written by teachers."
"There was actually less planning for me because it was well laid out. I was happy to do it. Everything was ready. It was clear and I knew exactly where to go with it."
"It was great to have that. Everybody likes a step-by-step guide and this had that."
Me, You, Everyone: rights and responsibilities is the third in the series of Lift Off materials, which have been developed for use in the primary school classroom to promote understanding and respect for human rights.
It has been written for 9 - 11 year old children by a team of experienced and practising teachers from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Me, You, Everyone enables children in 5th and 6th class (Republic of Ireland) and P4 and P5 (Northern Ireland) to learn about human rights and to explore the principles underpinning these rights. This resource complements the primary curriculum on both sides of the border and in particular helps meet the aims of SPHE (in the Republic of Ireland) and PDMU (in Northern Ireland).
Consisting of ten lessons, each of which are structured around a particular theme and learning objectives, Me, You, Everyone aims to provide a learning experience that gives children the opportunity to develop personally and socially. The project partners believe that human rights education has a lot to offer not only in curriculum terms, but also with the positive benefits it offers to the general life of the pupils and the school, for example, in relation to children's participation, behaviour and parental involvement.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child provide important reference points for the children in Me, You, Everyone. Through these documents the children begin to recognise and understand the range of rights that apply to all children and individuals all over the world. They are encouraged to think about human rights and how these relate to their own lives and to the lives of other people around the world.
All three books in the Lift Off series have been written and piloted by primary school teachers drawn from the INTO (Irish National Teachers’ Organisation) and UTU (Ulster Teachers’ Union). They have been compiled in line with curricular changes in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland and with an awareness of the practical challenges facing teachers in the classroom.
Some Quotes from Teachers:
"I really enjoyed teaching from the teacher's manual. I found it 'teacher friendly' and 'child friendly'. The worksheets provided were useful and relevant and led to lots of discussion. The lessons became relevant in practice within the classroom and school"
"The lesson material and design are excellent. The topics and most concepts covered are very to the point and a marvellous follow on to Lift Off."
"The children’s thoughts, opinions and ideas of rights, responsibilities, cultural differences and individuality have really matured throughout the year."
An leagan gaeilge de LIFT OFF le haghaidh na meán ranganna. Urraithe ag Foras na Gaeilge.
