ObjectiveS
- To introduce the I CAN the way I AM program to Kindergarten students.
- 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 speaker/simulation)
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, explain to students why they are going to participate in this experience. This experience not only addresses key Social Justice goals which are outlined in the school’s accreditation process but we also 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 and parents
Please share Ethan's Story with students prior to Parent Volunteers visiting the class. This 9 minute video is featured by the REEL Abilities Disability Film Festival.
There are a couple of ways to access the film and the discussion questions for your students.
There are a couple of ways to access the film and the discussion questions for your students.
- You could try opening the Scribd. document below. Click on the small screen icon in the lower right hand corner. This should open what looks like a slide in a power point presentation. Share with students on the smart boards. Within this document you will have a link to the film via vimeo. Click on the link and the video should be ready to go. When the video is done you can close this and you'll be right back to the discussion questions found in the Scribd document.
- Or you can view the film by clicking here. You can access the discussion questions in the pdf that is below the Scribd document. Click on the pdf and you will find the questions to facilitate the discussion.
ethan_20study_20guide_20-_20grades_20k-6.pdf | |
File Size: | 359 kb |
File Type: |
1. The Florida Developmental Disability Council, Inc. offers pre-kindergarten and elementary school resources for teachers with the goal of increasing students' awareness about people with disabilities through English Language Arts and Literacy experiences. Think includes grade level texts that are organized by text complexity, grade levels, and Lexile Bands as well as lesson plans organized by grade level.
2. This Disability Awareness and Activity Packet by Adcock and Remus provides activities and resources for teaching students about disabilities. This packet is organized by disability category and includes autism, hearing disorders, communication disorders, learning disabilities, cognitive disabilities, physical disabilities and visual.
3. 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.
4. Contact the parent volunteers who will be presenting to your students during the simulation day. They can offer ideas for preparation.
2. This Disability Awareness and Activity Packet by Adcock and Remus provides activities and resources for teaching students about disabilities. This packet is organized by disability category and includes autism, hearing disorders, communication disorders, learning disabilities, cognitive disabilities, physical disabilities and visual.
3. 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.
4. Contact the parent volunteers who will be presenting to your students during the simulation day. They can offer ideas for preparation.
Action (takes place during the simulation day/speaker visit)
This phase is the actual experience both students and teachers will have when parent volunteers, community agencies, and speakers engage classrooms in hands-on simulations. These simulations will have meaning because they directly relate to the program’s mission and emphasize the disability of focus for each grade level. These simulations and speakers are designed to be age-appropriate, connect to the academic goals and objectives in a variety of religion and health lessons, as well as provide opportunities for students to have a sense of “ownership” of their specific grade-level topic. The Action will be when parent volunteers, agencies, and speakers spend time with you and your students. Your engagement along with students is all that is needed in this phase.
Reflection (after the speaker/simulation)
This 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. Some examples of such reflections include:
- Discussion
- Journal Entries, Paragraph of the Week about the experience
- Artistic Expression
- RE-Use of provided literature in the classroom
- Presentations, Biographies focused on someone with a disabilities
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 Harold, 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.