Similarity Awareness
Presentations & lesson plans focusing on diversity
Similarity
Awareness allows students, of all ages, to see that disabilities are
an important part of our society and should be embraced and understood.
Through group discussion, books and videos, a sense of community is
established between people with disabilities and the non-disabled
world. The goal of the program is to give students, teachers and administrators
the tools to discuss and explore the similarities we all share, regardless
of ability.
Each piece of the curriculum includes a specially designed presentation (length of presentation is flexible, depending on time constraints) by a Northeast Passage staff member (or members) and one or two lesson plan activities to be conducted by the classroom teacher, after the presentation is over.
Grades 2-3:
The focus of this lesson is on a story book,
written and illustrated by the staff of Northeast Passage. This story
encourages students to be friends with people with disabilities, to
ask questions and also increases awareness of the similarities students
with and without disabilities share. There are specific follow up
questions and discussion starters for the book. There are additional
activities that allow students to find similarities in people with
and without disabilities.
Grades 4-6:
This presentation looks at recreational activities
(such as artistic painting, rap music, rock music, dance, comedy and
sports) and compares a “performer” without a disability
to someone who does the same activity and has a disability. The video
clips, paired with current music and recognizable performers, encourage
students to look closely at the activities and to draw comparisons
between the two. This presentation will encourage students to look
at their own personal recreational activities and to explore the various
ways people with disabilities can participate in the very same activity.
Grades 7-12:
See the wheelchair sports description below. Also includes a discussion and video of Paralympic sport and competition.
All Grade Levels: Wheelchair Sports & Games
We bring sport wheelchairs and accessories to play a variety of indoor wheelchair sports/games at your school. This experience teaches non-disabled students that using a wheelchair while playing a sport takes skill and practice, it's challenging, athletic and fun. This option can be reserved alone or in conjunction with a presentation. We can accommodate roughly 30 students per hour/class period in this option.
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Additional Information: |
Please contact us if you have a specific request, as not every school will fit into this structure. We have found that it works best to incorporate students across one full grade level or to include the entire student population. To reach every student, it typically takes 3-5 days, depending on the size of your school and space availability.
For more information or to reserve a presentation contact: Chandler
Bullard at
603-862-0070
or by e-mail at chandler.bullard@unh.edu
