Every person possesses inherent dignity. This means that persons can never be treated as objects to be used but must be respected as bearing the image of God. In this lesson, students will unpack what it means to respect others.
Gospel of Life Week
Gospel of Life Week
Teachers and Parents
– Adoption
– Loving Our Neighbors
– Knowing My Value
– Life is a Gift
– Learning to Forgive
– Respecting Others
– Caring for Those in Need
– The Beginning of Life
– Celebrating Special Needs
– Overcoming Differences
– Receiving Mercy
– Immigration
– Life is Precious
– Dignity at Every Age
– Marriage
– Caring for Creation
DREs and Catechists
– Grades PK-3
– Grades 4-6
– Grades 7-9
– Grades 10-12
Topics
– The Beginning of Life
– Knowing My Value
– Adoption
– Respecting Others
– Receiving Mercy
– Immigration
– Loving Our Neighbors
– Life is a Gift
– Life is Precious
– Dignity at Every Age
– Learning to Forgive
– Caring for Those in Need
– Marriage
– Caring for Creation
– Celebrating Special Needs
– Overcoming Differences
High School Resources
Youth Ministry Resources
Service Opportunities
PK, TK & Kinder Lesson Plan
This lesson introduces children to the concept of friendship, particularly focusing on how to be a good friend by treating others with respect and love.
Grades PK, TK and Kindergarten Lesson Plan Part I – October
Grades PK, TK and Kindergarten Lesson Plan Part II – January
Grades 1-3 Lesson Plan
Students will learn the difference between treating others with respect and using others as a means to an end. Activities will reinforce the qualities of a good friend, and the responsibilities we have for one another.
Grades 1-3 Lesson Plan Part I – October
Grades 1-3 Lesson Plan Part II – January
Resources
This is the Way We Make Friends
Winnie the Pooh’s Friendship Song
Sesame Street’s How to be a Good Friend
Grades 4-6 Lesson Plan
Students will learn the difference between treating others with respect and using them as a means for an end. Activities will reinforce the qualities of a good friend, and what each of our responsibility is toward others. Topics will include gossiping, bullying, and internet safety.
Grades 4-6 Lesson Plan Part I – October
Grades 4-6 Lesson Plan Part II – January
Resource
Questions to Ask to Prevent Gossip
Grades 7-9 Lesson Plan
Students will learn about the growing problem of human trafficking, both domestic and international. They will learn what trafficking victims experience, how to recognize the victimization of a modern-day slave, and how to keep themselves safe from predators.
Grades 7-9 Lesson Plans Part II – January
Grades 7-9 Lesson Plans Part I – October
Resources
Human Trafficking: It Happens Here
National Human Trafficking Hotline
Call 1-888-373-7888 or Text* 233733 to report potential human trafficking or ask for help or advice.
Resources for Teachers and Parents
Project iGuardian offers practical solutions for teens, parents, and educators for keeping kids safe from online sexual predators. Online resources as well as information on booking school presentations and a local tipline. Created by Department of Homeland Security.
Net Smartz is a website with teaching materials for all grade levels on internet safety and keeping kids safe from traffickers. Includes handouts, exercise suggestions and online resources. From the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Covenant Eyes internet accountability and tracking software for purchase that can help
keep kids safe from pornography online.
Grades 10-12 Student Handout
We like to think of our world as free of slaves. We have come so far since the time of the slave trade, since the time of the Emancipation Proclamation. So, how could we possibly have slaves in the twenty-first century?
*Used with Permission from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles*
Videos
Stories
- Emmy’s Story Emmy is a human trafficking survivor who founded Lacey’s Hope Project to spread awareness. NBC. 1.5 minutes.
- “Rebecca Bender” shares her story of being trafficked in the US and what domestic trafficking looks like. 2.5 minutes.
- Former human trafficking victim shares her story with CNN 3.5 minutes.
- Testimonies from victims of trafficking 7.5 minutes.
- California Against Slavery website has excellent, 2.5 minute videos from women who have survived trafficking and are now working on legislation to prosecute traffickers.
- Chosen movie trailer shares story of two young American women tricked into trafficking. Entire movie can be purchased for use in classroom. 2.5 minutes.
- “Maria’s Story” shares the story of one woman forced into the sex trade in Greece, a major destination for trafficking victims. 3 minutes.
Informative
- “Turn on the Light” Inspirational video about making the truths of human trafficking known. Catholic Relief Services. 1.5 minutes.
- “Hidden America” ABC’s Diane Sawyer reports on the truth of sex trafficking in America. 12 minutes.
- Rescue and Restore, a project of the Department of Health and Human Services, outlines the problem of human trafficking, how to identify victims of trafficking, and what to do to seek help. 13 minutes.
- How Many Are Enough? From a woman who helps rescue international victims of trafficking. Powerful and motivational. It is an excellent conversation starter on what the faith community can do to stop trafficking and help victims heal. 7 minutes.
- End It Movement’s creative way to bring awareness to human trafficking at America’s largest sporting events. 3 minute video.
Articles
Stories
- Human Trafficking Survivors Open Up About Horrors” 5 stories of human trafficking victims from the Huffington Post.
- Shandra’s Story Shandra shares how she was coerced into sex-trafficking after arriving in the United States. BBC.
- “Human Trafficking Victim Shares Story” U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement shares Tonya’s story. Includes several approximately 1-minute videos.
- “The Hidden Face of Human Trafficking in Peru” Catholic Relief Services article uses stories of young people to demonstrate the reality of human trafficking in Peru.
- Human Trafficking in Orange County.pdf article tells the stories of two women enslaved in the sex trade in Orange County and how they found freedom through the help of local organizations.
Informative
- “5 Things to Know and Share About Sex Trafficking” website with information on what drives the industry and links to organizations that help. Demonstrates the role of pornography in increasing human trafficking.
- “St. Patrick and Slavery” Article and human trafficking resources from Catholic Relief Services.
- How CRS Confronts Human Trafficking Brief handout explaining CRS’s method of ending trafficking.
- “7 Things You May Not Know About Human Trafficking, and 3 Ways to Help” Catholic Relief Services.
- Data about Profits in the U.S. from Trafficking Enlightening information about the reality of human trafficking in our nation.
- If We Want to Save the Children, Let’s Start with Ourselves Article giving perspective on Human Trafficking from 2020.
St. Josephine Bakhita, Patroness of Human Trafficking Victims
- “Saint Josephine Bakhita, Witness of Hope for Victims of Human Trafficking” Cardinal Donald Wuerl discusses the life of St. Josephine and human trafficking in the world today.
- Patron of Human Trafficking Victims Catholic News Agency shares the story of St. Josephine.
- “St. Josephine Bakhita” Biography of St. Josephine and reflection from Franciscan media. Includes an audio recording.
Websites
Catholic
- The Vatican has an anti- human trafficking website with resources.
- The USCCB has an anti-human trafficking website with resources.
- The Archdiocese offers flyers and resources students can share at their church or school about human trafficking
Resources for survivors of trafficking
- Polaris Project offers links to local organizations that help survivors of trafficking. They run a national hotline.
- CAST (Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking) LA runs a local hotline and case management for survivors.
Awareness and Information
- Unicef resources Info sheets and curriculums.
- Destiny Rescue Anti-human trafficking resources and information.
- A21 Campaign Website features ways to get involved, resources, and information.
- Slavery Footprint Take the Made in a Free World survey to find out how many slaves worldwide have been involved in the manufacture or processing of what you eat, wear, live in, and play with every day. Eye-opening website.
- Website instructing teens on internet safety. Information presented through comics, blogs, and games. Created by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Scripture and Church Teaching
Pope Benedict’s Encyclical Letter on the Hope of Salvation See especially sections 3 and 4 for an explanation of the life of St. Josephine Bakhita in light of the hope of salvation.
Prayer Opportunities
Prayer card with St. Josephine Bakhita, patron saint of slaves and trafficking victims.
Catholic Relief Services Prayer to End Human Trafficking Brief prayer handout for victims of trafficking.
CRS Prayer to Set All Captives Free Brief prayer handout for victims of all types of slavery.
CRS Prayer I Must Turn Back Prayer for solidarity with victims of slavery.
CRS Solidarity Prayer Vigil for Those Who Experience Human Trafficking An outline for a prayer service for an end to human trafficking that also includes education and legislative advocacy.
Stations of the Cross Detailed guidelines from the USCCB to organize a human-trafficking themed Stations of the Cross.
For Parents and Teachers
FOR TEACHERS: Website with teaching materials for all grade levels on internet safety and keeping kids safe from traffickers. Includes handouts, exercise suggestions and online resources. From the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
FOR TEACHERS: The A21 campaign has developed a high school curriculum that can be useful for classes looking to take a deeper look at the issue of human trafficking.
FOR TEACHERS AND PARENTS: Project iGuardian offers practical solutions for teens, parents, and educators for keeping kids safe from online sexual predators. Online resources as well as information on booking school presentations and a local tipline. Created by Department of Homeland Security.
FOR PARENTS: Covenant Eyes internet accountability and tracking software for purchase that can help keep kids safe from pornography online.
Find service opportunities here!