UNICEF NZ is launching new Teacher Support Materials to help teachers bring the issues of children’s rights into the classroom. The online resource will be presented at the upcoming Learning@School 2012 Conference, taking place in Hamilton on Thursday 26 and Friday 27 January.

Produced by Learning Media in collaboration with UNICEF NZ, the Teacher Support Materials are designed to aid New Zealand educators in using the recently published ‘For Each and Every Child/ He Taonga Tonu te Tamariki’ book with pupils.

They include lesson plans, activities, and whole school events to assist in teaching New Zealand children about their rights.  The new resource is aimed at years 1-4, 5-6, and 7-8, and links directly with the New Zealand curriculum.

‘For Each and Every Child/ He Taonga Tonu te Tamariki’ is a unique children’s book created by UNICEF NZ to help children, their parents and people in communities, understand more about young people’s rights.  The book uses child friendly language, both in English and Maori, and combines vivid illustrations of typical kiwi scenes with simple, bold text to make learning about child rights fun and memorable. Since its release in November last year, it has received glowing reports from teachers.

Jacqui Southey, Education for Development Officer at UNICEF NZ, said “We are delighted by the response the book has received from teachers and schools and are excited to be launching the new Teacher Support Materials at the Learning@School 2012 Conference.

“This material offers lesson plans and practical help to teachers, in educating their pupils about children’s rights.  These engaging learning experiences are designed to enrich whole school culture as well as classroom programmes. For many teachers and students the Rights of the Child will be a new and enlightening learning experience.”

This latest teaching resource joins UNICEF NZ’s range of global education resources, ranging from Early Childhood through to year 12 Geography.  Many resources can be downloaded free of charge and print resources can be purchased.

The two-day Learning@School conference, held at the Claudelands Event Centre in Hamilton, will focus on the most important issues concerning classroom teachers and offers workshops and resources to assist school leaders in transforming the education of New Zealand’s children.