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Recognize World Humanitarian Day

World Humanitarian Day (WHD) was formally created in 2009 in rememberance of the bombing of the Canal Hotel in Baghdad, Iraq in 2003. This tragedy killed 22 people, including the chief humanitarian in Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello. In this section, we will share resources you can use to teach your students about several humanitarians. 

Grades 6-12

The Florence Nightingale Museum

Florence Nightingale, The Lady with the Lamp, is best known as the inspiration for the International Committee of the Red Cross. Search the tabs to find classroom materials, a searchable collection, and a comprehensive biography.

Grades K-6

Read-Aloud Ideas: Biography

Use read-aloud books to introduce your students to many humanitarians from different time periods and parts of the world. Scroll through the grade level options to find books about Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Jane Goodall, and others.

Grades 7-12

Andrew Carnegie's Story

Learn about the life of Andrew Carnegie—from his humble beginnings through his rise to becoming the richest man in the world—with this interactive storytelling tool. Read all about his philanthropic side and his funding of over 2,500 libraries.

Grades 6-12

Shmoop: Biographies

Peruse and investigate these biographies of famous people, including some humanitarians. Click on the tabs at the top to read a summary, biography, or even a resume. Learn more about Mary Wollstonecraft, Harriet Beecher Stowe, and more.

Encourage Your Students to be Humanitarians

Use the resources shared in this section to encourage your students to make a difference and find ways to be humanitarians. Find inspiration in the Classroom Use section of the reviews for each of these resources. 

Grades 6-12

Rock Your World

Discover 70+ lessons that engage students by developing an understanding of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Challenge your students to think about the issues and make a plan to help.

Grades 1-12

Gift Cards for Good

Gift Cards for Good collects cards with little money left on them and uses them to buy items for charities. This 501C3 tax-exempt organization was created by a 10-year-old. Explore the site to learn more about this opportunity and others in your area.

Grades K-12

Random Acts of Kindness

The Random Acts of Kindness (RAK) Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded upon a powerful belief in kindness. Navigate the resources and tools to encourage acts of kindness and discover inspirational quotes, videos, stories, and posters.

Grades K-12

Inspire My Kids

This site shares inspiring stories to encourage students to take positive actions and become the best people they can be. Stories offer great examples of values like courage, determination, honesty, humility, kindness, responsibility, and tolerance.

Grades 8-12

Humanitarian News

The Humanitarian, formerly IRIN, brings news and analysis on current humanitarian efforts in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Help your students to focus on specific issues and geographic areas that share stories that you may not find on Google.

Grades 8-12

Taking It Global

Find basic information about countries of the world, articles relevant to international youth, places to submit opinion pieces, and opportunities to learn about projects youth are undertaking to support social justice and humanitarian concerns.

This Week at TeachersFirst

Registration is now open for our fall book club! We also invite you to join us for our bi-monthly Twitter chat this Thursday. Don’t forget to check out the related blog post and give your input on our weekly poll.