InterConnections 21

World AIDS Day Unit and Lesson Plans

 

Each activity in the World AIDS Day Unit is briefly described below, with suggestions as to the subject area in which it might be used, and standards addressed by each activity:

 

Activity 1: Facts and Figures: HIV/AIDS around the World

This activity introduces the topic with a quiz. Students read statistics on the HIV/AIDS pandemic, use maps to examine trends, and calculate changes in rates of infection in different parts of the world.

 

Social Studies Standards Addressed: NCSS Standards

  • People, Places, and Environment
  • Global Connections

 

Mathematics Standards Addressed: NCTM 

  • Number and Operations 9-12
  • Data Analysis 9-12
  • Connections PK-12

 

Activity 2: Factors Contributing to the Spread of HIV/AIDS

Students read about a range of factors contributing to HIV/AIDS, research factors in greater depth, and make presentations to the class.

 

Social Studies Standards Addressed: NCSS Standards

  • Global Connections

 

English/Language Arts Standards Addressed: NCTE

  • Reading for perspective
  • Communication skills
  • Developing research skills
  • Applying language skill

 

Activity 3: Rights Issues and HIV/AIDS

This activity introduces an important human rights treaty, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Students apply this treaty to case studies of people living with HIV/AIDS.

 

Social Studies Standards Addressed: NCSS Standards

  • Global Connections
  • Civic Ideals and Practices

 

English/Language Arts Standards Addressed: NCTE

  • Reading for perspective

 

Activity 4: Social and Economic Impacts of HIV/AIDS

Students read about the social and economic impacts of HIV/AIDS, do research, and present their findings to the class. They use a human rights framework to assess the impacts. Finally, they use art materials to create a visual representation of what they have learned.

 

Social Studies Standards Addressed: NCSS Standards

  • Production, Distribution and Consumption
  • Global Connections
  • Civic Ideals and Practices

 

English/Language Arts Standards Addressed: NCTE

  • Reading for perspective
  • Communication skills
  • Developing research skills

 

Visual Arts Standards Addressed: CNAEA Content

  • Choosing and evaluating a range of subject matter, symbols and ideas
  • Making connections between visual arts and other disciplines

 

Activity 5: Women and HIV/AIDS

Students read about the impact of HIV/AIDS on women, applying a human rights framework. They write and dramatize skits about challenges that women face in dealing with HIV/AIDS.

 

Social Studies Standards Addressed: NCSS Standards

  • Individuals, Groups and Institutions
  • Global Connections
  • Civic Ideals and Practices

 

English/Language Arts Standards Addressed: NCTE

  • Reading for perspective
  • Communication skills
  • Applying language skills

 

Activity 6: Taking Action against HIV/AIDS

Students learn about the range of strategies being proposed to address HIV/AIDS, and carry out a ranking activity to look at priorities, and connections between the strategies. They read profiles of youth activists, and brainstorm ways that they themselves can take action.

 

Social Studies Standards Addressed: NCSS Standards

  • Individual Development and Identity
  • Science, Technology, and Society
  • Global Connections

 

English Language Arts Standards Addressed:

  • Reading for perspective
  • Understanding the human experience
  • Communication skills
  • Developing research skills
  • Applying language skills