Each section is written as a larger framing of human rights with ties to both a humanities focus on migration and world history, along with a science study of the human body systems. In North Carolina standard course of study these two topics coincide in the 7th grade curriculum. The six frames are: The Right to Eat Our Own Foods; The Right to Reproductive Freedom; The Right to Be Safe in Our Bodies; The Right to Love and Be Loved; The Right to Maintain Our Connections to the Land; and The Right to Play. There is a mixture of picture books, YA novels, photos, artwork, maps, videos, and newspaper articles addressing each one. The intention would be that these sections could be introduced as an inquiry based exploration alongside the science curriculum linked to body systems. The texts could be used in a variety of ways- some introduced as choice work beyond the requirements, some looked at as a whole class, or some divided up and explored among students. One could also adapt this text set for their classroom use by focusing on only one of the six sections. The last right, “The Right to Play,” serves as a bridge between the general studies within the classroom walls and a potential community study in Durham, NC related to the recent discovery of lead in several parks (though could be adapted easily based on your location).
