OBJECTIVES
- To introduce autism awareness to the Sixth Graders through age appropriate simulations and speakers.
- To help children understand that there are many differences in all people both disabled and non-disabled.
- Differences are not right or wrong, not good or bad. They are just different.
PREPARATION (BEFORE THE SIMULATION DAY/SPEAKER VISIT)
Preparation for I CAN includes planning activities and providing students with the knowledge needed to participate in and benefit from the upcoming simulations and speakers. Prior to simulation/speaker identify the need for this experience. This experience not only addresses key Social Justice goals which are outlined in the school’s accreditation process but we hope to increase students awareness about people with disabilities, promote a culture of tolerance and encourage the acceptance of differences within our school.
RESOURCES FOR TEACHERS
1. Contact Mrs. Zele for more information about the specific titles that are appropriate for your students based on their grade level and the content of their programming.
2. Contact the parent volunteers who will be presenting to your students during the simulation day. They can offer ideas for preparation.
3. Sixth grade students should watch this video about how a young lady with autism who is nonverbal experiences a visit to a coffee shop. Carly learned to communicate by typing with a computer. She is now able to express her thoughts and needs.
2. Contact the parent volunteers who will be presenting to your students during the simulation day. They can offer ideas for preparation.
3. Sixth grade students should watch this video about how a young lady with autism who is nonverbal experiences a visit to a coffee shop. Carly learned to communicate by typing with a computer. She is now able to express her thoughts and needs.
4. Click on the following link for a story (with video) about how musical talent goes beyond any diagnosis and one band's example of this.
http://themighty.com/2015/08/meet-the-musicians-with-autism-who-are-tackling-the-music-industry/
http://themighty.com/2015/08/meet-the-musicians-with-autism-who-are-tackling-the-music-industry/
ACTION (DURING THE SIMULATION DAY/SPEAKER)
Sixth graders will have parent volunteers who come to each individual homeroom to facilitate simulations. These simulations are led by Tia Kozlovich who is the parent mentor in Willoughby and her son has autism. This will take approximately one hour. Then following the simulations a speaker will visit the classroom. Typically the speaker is someone who lives with someone who is autistic. Speakers typically prefer if students have taken the time to prepare questions in advance. This can be done between the simulation day.
REFLECTION (AFTER THE SIMULATION DAY/SPEAKER)
Sixth graders should write a thank-you note to Tia and to the speaker for sharing their stories with them during the I CAN the Way I AM programming.
Reflection is the structured opportunity for students to critically think about their experience with the simulations or a given speaker. Teachers should ask students to apply their learning in a broader academic, social, and personal context. Reflections prevent the hands-on experiences and memories from the speakers from fading away. Reflections keep the concepts of this program alive.
Reflection is the structured opportunity for students to critically think about their experience with the simulations or a given speaker. Teachers should ask students to apply their learning in a broader academic, social, and personal context. Reflections prevent the hands-on experiences and memories from the speakers from fading away. Reflections keep the concepts of this program alive.
CELEBRATION (CULMINATION OF THE PROGRAM)
This final phase recognizes the students’ contributions. It also provides closure for the activity. Students will have a chance to celebrate all that people with disabilities can achieve. Celebrations may include:
- Media coverage: school newspaper, newsletter for parents, News Herald, church bulletin, etc
- Recognition of this month-long program at one school mass
- Composing thank-you notes to speakers for their time, offer specific expressions of gratitude
- Directly pointing out to students when their behaviors, attitudes, and actions mirror the objectives of this program, such as recognizing when someone needs a friend, acknowledgment of someone’s accomplishment after a great deal of hard work, finally when a student demonstrates patience and understanding of their peers.
Memories are a wonderful way to celebrate! Looking back on these treasured images will allow students the chance to relive the core values of I CAN the Way I AM beyond this one special day.
We are so grateful to Victoria D. Photography for capturing these beautiful images of the kindergarten simulation day. |