Examples of Lesson Plans on the United Nations

The United Nations (UN) is a vital organization that plays a crucial role in international relations, peacekeeping, and humanitarian efforts. Teaching students about the UN can help them understand global issues, diplomacy, and the importance of cooperation among nations. Below are three diverse examples of lesson plans that can be easily adapted for various educational settings.

Example 1: The Role of the United Nations in Global Peacekeeping

This lesson plan is designed for middle school students and focuses on the UN’s peacekeeping missions worldwide. It encourages students to explore the significance of peacekeeping efforts and how they contribute to global stability.

In this lesson, students will research different UN peacekeeping missions, such as those in Cyprus or the Democratic Republic of Congo. They will work in small groups to create presentations that summarize their findings and discuss the challenges and successes of their assigned mission. The lesson concludes with a classroom discussion on the importance of peacekeeping and how it affects the lives of people in conflict zones.

Relevant Notes:

• Materials Needed: Access to the internet for research, presentation tools (like PowerPoint or poster boards).
• Variation: Students can create infographics instead of presentations to visually summarize their mission’s impact.

Example 2: Understanding the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This lesson plan is suitable for high school students and introduces them to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals established by the UN in 2015. It aims to foster awareness and inspire action towards achieving these goals.

Students will begin by learning about each of the 17 SDGs through a video or interactive presentation. Following this, they will choose one goal to research in-depth, exploring its significance, current global progress, and how it can be achieved. Students will then design a campaign to raise awareness about their chosen goal, which could include posters, social media posts, or a community event proposal. The lesson wraps up with presentations where students share their campaigns with the class.

Relevant Notes:

• Materials Needed: Access to resources about the SDGs, art supplies for campaign materials, and digital tools for social media posts.
• Variation: Collaborate with local organizations to implement a real-world project based on one of the SDGs.

Example 3: Simulating a UN General Assembly

This lesson plan is aimed at upper elementary to middle school students and simulates a UN General Assembly session. It provides a hands-on experience of how countries come together to discuss global issues.

In this lesson, students will be assigned different countries and tasked with researching their country’s position on a current global issue, such as climate change or human rights. Students will prepare speeches to present their country’s stance and engage in a mock General Assembly where they debate and negotiate solutions. The teacher will act as the moderator, guiding the discussion and ensuring that all voices are heard. The session will conclude with a resolution vote, mirroring the real UN process.

Relevant Notes:

• Materials Needed: Research materials, a space for the assembly, and props for representing countries (flags, name cards).
• Variation: Introduce roles for journalists who will cover the assembly, creating a news report on the proceedings.

These examples of lesson plans on the United Nations not only engage students in meaningful discussions about global issues but also empower them to think critically and act as informed global citizens.