Digital Media, Human Rights, And The Writing Process

Source: Right To An Education

We teach social studies, not history. We don’t want our students to think that learning about the past has little bearing on today. It is quite the opposite. Many of the major conflicts around the world stem from deeply rooted hatred from long-ago. We chronicle events to put things in context, but we see history as part of the study of human society. Social interactions determine how people-related issues affect history, government, economics, etc., both past and present. Social studies and the humanities are inextricably linked, and we want our students to make those same connections.

Source: Freedom To Marry


One important aspect of our curriculum that we keep upfront and center is human rights. We’ve long been advocates for promoting human rights awareness in our classroom. Whether it’s talking about modern slavery or having conversations about peace, we continually try to find new ways to empower students so they can make a difference.



This year all of our fifth and sixth graders entered the elementary video competition called \”Everyone Has Rights,\” sponsored by the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights’ Speak Truth To Power program and the New York State United Teachers. For this contest, students needed to create a public service announcement (PSA) to address any aspect of human rights in videos that were under two minutes long. This eye-opening project made them painfully aware of just how many people around the world lack the basic rights that they take for granted every day.



The students started their research with the United Nations\’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in a modified format that was age appropriate. They also used the Youth For Human Rights website and app to read and watch short videos about each of the 30 rights in the UDHR before beginning their own PSA.

Our students\’ winning video on \”The Freedom To Marry,\” which is Article 16 of the UDHR, could not have been timelier. The announcement came the day of the terror attack in Orlando, Florida. We were extremely proud of all the work of our students, but perhaps this PSA by two fifth graders hit home in celebrating diversity and tolerance on a sad day in the United States.



The writing process played a central role in constructing the PSA, including developing a question and thesis statement to home in on a point of view before the students digitally designed their media message. This key point was essential, and it needed to be targeted. They used Google Docs to write, edit, and finalize their scripts. They chose their own topics, depending on their comfort level. The practice of making digital media helped them understand social issues. It provided a context for content. Using an adaptable and flexible framework for the creation process allowed for their voices to come through, and the end result excelled beyond our expectations.

All of the PSA videos in this post were submitted to the Everyone Has Rights competition. To see others, please click here.



We fold in current events as a routine part of teaching social studies. We don’t ask students to do a weekly “current events” report. The news matters, and we tackle questions as they arise, because middle schoolers need answers.

Short Biography of ‘Raja Ram Mohan Roy’ (155 Words)

‘Raja Ram Mohan Roy’ was born on 22nd May, 1772 in the village Radhanagar, Hooghly, Bengal, India. His father was Ramkanto Roy, who was a Vaishnavite. His mother’s name was Tarini. Raja Ram Mohan Roy took his higher education at Patna, India. He had learnt several languages as Bangla, Arabic, Persian and Sanskrit only by the age of fifteen.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy was against idol worship. After differences with his father, he left the house. Raja Ram Mohan Roy wandered around Himalayas and went to Tibet. He went to Varanasi and studied the Vedas, the Upnishads and Hindu philosphy deeply. He passed away on 27th September, 1833.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy was the founder of ‘Brahmo Samaj’. He is known as the ‘Maker of Modern India’. He played a major role in abolishing the role of Sati. He was a great scholar and an independent thinker. He was given the title ‘Raja’ by the Mughal Emperor Akbar.

‘Death Claim in LIC’ (128 Words)

In the event of the death of the life assured, the claimant (the nominee, assignee or next of kin) should immediately intimate the fact of such death to the Branch Office of Life Insurance Corporation of India where the policy is serviced to help the Corporation to consider the claim promptly.

The claim is usually payable to the nominee/ assignee or the legal successor, as the case may be. However, if the deceased policyholder has not nominated/ assigned the policy or if he/ she has not made the will regarding the policy moneys, the claim is payable to the holder of a Succession Certificate or some such evidence of title from a Court of Law. If the life assured dies during the term of the policy,

Short Debate on \’Is 21st Century man really cultured and civilized\’ [AGAINST] (300 words)

Respect and reverence for elders is a key stone of any culture. In 21st Century, man is living in an age where popular culture has almost extinguished the light of manhood. A growing number of young man have never received a vision of what a gentleman can be, this is the real picture of today.

This new generation of young man can no longer depend on the images that current popular culture has given them. Respect and reverence for elders is demonstrated through endearing customs, like, not sitting while they are standing, even serving their food first. We find the youngsters never using the proper names of their elders too. Today new generation is not touching the feet of all elders, holy men and women in recognition of their great humility and attainment.

There is no end to crimes even after a lot of development but a lot of increase in it. What matters if women are educated in today’s world but the crimes are just upon them at a sight. The youngsters riding motorcycles snatch the jewelleries of women walking on the street etc.

We should never use harsh, angered and indecent language and keep our body healthy and clean. It is very important for a cultured and civilized man to apologize immediately if one touches someone with his shoes or sandals, but in 21st century these things are not happening. The character traits of courage, vision, discipline, loyalty and work ethic are disappearing from this generation of young man. But most importantly they lack the courage to become risk takers and leaders at home, in their community, and at work.

In the End I would like to say that “The quest for true manhood, authentic leadershi

Short Debate on \’Is 21st Century man really cultured and civilized\’ [AGAINST] (300 words)

Respect and reverence for elders is a key stone of any culture. In 21st Century, man is living in an age where popular culture has almost extinguished the light of manhood. A growing number of young man have never received a vision of what a gentleman can be, this is the real picture of today.

This new generation of young man can no longer depend on the images that current popular culture has given them. Respect and reverence for elders is demonstrated through endearing customs, like, not sitting while they are standing, even serving their food first. We find the youngsters never using the proper names of their elders too. Today new generation is not touching the feet of all elders, holy men and women in recognition of their great humility and attainment.

There is no end to crimes even after a lot of development but a lot of increase in it. What matters if women are educated in today’s world but the crimes are just upon them at a sight. The youngsters riding motorcycles snatch the jewelleries of women walking on the street etc.

We should never use harsh, angered and indecent language and keep our body healthy and clean. It is very important for a cultured and civilized man to apologize immediately if one touches someone with his shoes or sandals, but in 21st century these things are not happening. The character traits of courage, vision, discipline, loyalty and work ethic are disappearing from this generation of young man. But most importantly they lack the courage to become risk takers and leaders at home, in their community, and at work.

In the End I would like to say that “The quest for true manhood, authentic leadershi

Short Debate on \’Is 21st Century man really cultured and civilized\’ [AGAINST] (300 words)

Respect and reverence for elders is a key stone of any culture. In 21st Century, man is living in an age where popular culture has almost extinguished the light of manhood. A growing number of young man have never received a vision of what a gentleman can be, this is the real picture of today.

This new generation of young man can no longer depend on the images that current popular culture has given them. Respect and reverence for elders is demonstrated through endearing customs, like, not sitting while they are standing, even serving their food first. We find the youngsters never using the proper names of their elders too. Today new generation is not touching the feet of all elders, holy men and women in recognition of their great humility and attainment.

There is no end to crimes even after a lot of development but a lot of increase in it. What matters if women are educated in today’s world but the crimes are just upon them at a sight. The youngsters riding motorcycles snatch the jewelleries of women walking on the street etc.

We should never use harsh, angered and indecent language and keep our body healthy and clean. It is very important for a cultured and civilized man to apologize immediately if one touches someone with his shoes or sandals, but in 21st century these things are not happening. The character traits of courage, vision, discipline, loyalty and work ethic are disappearing from this generation of young man. But most importantly they lack the courage to become risk takers and leaders at home, in their community, and at work.

In the End I would like to say that “The quest for true manhood, authentic leadershi

Short Debate on \’Is 21st Century man really cultured and civilized\’ [AGAINST] (300 words)

Respect and reverence for elders is a key stone of any culture. In 21st Century, man is living in an age where popular culture has almost extinguished the light of manhood. A growing number of young man have never received a vision of what a gentleman can be, this is the real picture of today.

This new generation of young man can no longer depend on the images that current popular culture has given them. Respect and reverence for elders is demonstrated through endearing customs, like, not sitting while they are standing, even serving their food first. We find the youngsters never using the proper names of their elders too. Today new generation is not touching the feet of all elders, holy men and women in recognition of their great humility and attainment.

There is no end to crimes even after a lot of development but a lot of increase in it. What matters if women are educated in today’s world but the crimes are just upon them at a sight. The youngsters riding motorcycles snatch the jewelleries of women walking on the street etc.

We should never use harsh, angered and indecent language and keep our body healthy and clean. It is very important for a cultured and civilized man to apologize immediately if one touches someone with his shoes or sandals, but in 21st century these things are not happening. The character traits of courage, vision, discipline, loyalty and work ethic are disappearing from this generation of young man. But most importantly they lack the courage to become risk takers and leaders at home, in their community, and at work.

In the End I would like to say that “The quest for true manhood, authentic leadershi

Short Debate on \’Is 21st Century man really cultured and civilized\’ [AGAINST] (300 words)

Respect and reverence for elders is a key stone of any culture. In 21st Century, man is living in an age where popular culture has almost extinguished the light of manhood. A growing number of young man have never received a vision of what a gentleman can be, this is the real picture of today.

This new generation of young man can no longer depend on the images that current popular culture has given them. Respect and reverence for elders is demonstrated through endearing customs, like, not sitting while they are standing, even serving their food first. We find the youngsters never using the proper names of their elders too. Today new generation is not touching the feet of all elders, holy men and women in recognition of their great humility and attainment.

There is no end to crimes even after a lot of development but a lot of increase in it. What matters if women are educated in today’s world but the crimes are just upon them at a sight. The youngsters riding motorcycles snatch the jewelleries of women walking on the street etc.

We should never use harsh, angered and indecent language and keep our body healthy and clean. It is very important for a cultured and civilized man to apologize immediately if one touches someone with his shoes or sandals, but in 21st century these things are not happening. The character traits of courage, vision, discipline, loyalty and work ethic are disappearing from this generation of young man. But most importantly they lack the courage to become risk takers and leaders at home, in their community, and at work.

In the End I would like to say that “The quest for true manhood, authentic leadershi

Short Debate on \’Is 21st Century man really cultured and civilized\’ [AGAINST] (300 words)

Respect and reverence for elders is a key stone of any culture. In 21st Century, man is living in an age where popular culture has almost extinguished the light of manhood. A growing number of young man have never received a vision of what a gentleman can be, this is the real picture of today.

This new generation of young man can no longer depend on the images that current popular culture has given them. Respect and reverence for elders is demonstrated through endearing customs, like, not sitting while they are standing, even serving their food first. We find the youngsters never using the proper names of their elders too. Today new generation is not touching the feet of all elders, holy men and women in recognition of their great humility and attainment.

There is no end to crimes even after a lot of development but a lot of increase in it. What matters if women are educated in today’s world but the crimes are just upon them at a sight. The youngsters riding motorcycles snatch the jewelleries of women walking on the street etc.

We should never use harsh, angered and indecent language and keep our body healthy and clean. It is very important for a cultured and civilized man to apologize immediately if one touches someone with his shoes or sandals, but in 21st century these things are not happening. The character traits of courage, vision, discipline, loyalty and work ethic are disappearing from this generation of young man. But most importantly they lack the courage to become risk takers and leaders at home, in their community, and at work.

In the End I would like to say that “The quest for true manhood, authentic leadershi

Short Paragraph on \’Brain Drain\’ (100 Words)

\’Brain Drain\’ is the migration of talented persons like doctors, engineers, lawyers, teachers and technicians from their home country to a foreign country for higher remuneration and better working conditions. It is a troublesome problem from developing countries like India which cannot pay high salaries nor wish to curtail the individual’s personal freedom permitted in democracies. The reason behind the brain drain is that the foreign countries encourage over the import of the talented manpower. On the other hand, the owners inheriting such brains are happy to go out because of having congenial work atmosphere and ethos. If we make the atmosphere healthier for some good work, I feel at least some of the brains may stay back in the country. 
 

Short Paragraph on \’Brain Drain\’ (100 Words)

\’Brain Drain\’ is the migration of talented persons like doctors, engineers, lawyers, teachers and technicians from their home country to a foreign country for higher remuneration and better working conditions. It is a troublesome problem from developing countries like India which cannot pay high salaries nor wish to curtail the individual’s personal freedom permitted in democracies. The reason behind the brain drain is that the foreign countries encourage over the import of the talented manpower. On the other hand, the owners inheriting such brains are happy to go out because of having congenial work atmosphere and ethos. If we make the atmosphere healthier for some good work, I feel at least some of the brains may stay back in the country. 
 

Short Paragraph on \’Brain Drain\’ (100 Words)

\’Brain Drain\’ is the migration of talented persons like doctors, engineers, lawyers, teachers and technicians from their home country to a foreign country for higher remuneration and better working conditions. It is a troublesome problem from developing countries like India which cannot pay high salaries nor wish to curtail the individual’s personal freedom permitted in democracies. The reason behind the brain drain is that the foreign countries encourage over the import of the talented manpower. On the other hand, the owners inheriting such brains are happy to go out because of having congenial work atmosphere and ethos. If we make the atmosphere healthier for some good work, I feel at least some of the brains may stay back in the country. 
 

Short Paragraph on \’Brain Drain\’ (100 Words)

\’Brain Drain\’ is the migration of talented persons like doctors, engineers, lawyers, teachers and technicians from their home country to a foreign country for higher remuneration and better working conditions. It is a troublesome problem from developing countries like India which cannot pay high salaries nor wish to curtail the individual’s personal freedom permitted in democracies. The reason behind the brain drain is that the foreign countries encourage over the import of the talented manpower. On the other hand, the owners inheriting such brains are happy to go out because of having congenial work atmosphere and ethos. If we make the atmosphere healthier for some good work, I feel at least some of the brains may stay back in the country. 
 

Short Paragraph on \’Brain Drain\’ (100 Words)

\’Brain Drain\’ is the migration of talented persons like doctors, engineers, lawyers, teachers and technicians from their home country to a foreign country for higher remuneration and better working conditions. It is a troublesome problem from developing countries like India which cannot pay high salaries nor wish to curtail the individual’s personal freedom permitted in democracies. The reason behind the brain drain is that the foreign countries encourage over the import of the talented manpower. On the other hand, the owners inheriting such brains are happy to go out because of having congenial work atmosphere and ethos. If we make the atmosphere healthier for some good work, I feel at least some of the brains may stay back in the country. 
 

Short Paragraph on \’Brain Drain\’ (100 Words)

\’Brain Drain\’ is the migration of talented persons like doctors, engineers, lawyers, teachers and technicians from their home country to a foreign country for higher remuneration and better working conditions. It is a troublesome problem from developing countries like India which cannot pay high salaries nor wish to curtail the individual’s personal freedom permitted in democracies. The reason behind the brain drain is that the foreign countries encourage over the import of the talented manpower. On the other hand, the owners inheriting such brains are happy to go out because of having congenial work atmosphere and ethos. If we make the atmosphere healthier for some good work, I feel at least some of the brains may stay back in the country.