Topics and Resources for Assignments & Projects:
Middle School
- Lesson Plans developed by Virginia Youth and Teachers
- Teach person first concept (leave posters about person first language up in the school all year) Primer on People First Language
- Feature students with disabilities that play sports (wheelchair basketball, skateboard, snowboard, etc.) (there are lots of videos on YouTube that feature people with disabilities doing sports, breakdancing, etc. like this link to the Michael Schwass Story or check out:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8j2ZX7ThKfw
www.youtube.com/watch?v=fi7dRh45F8A
www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5n2XSPhV5I
www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaPHcX5jrBE
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIcbFrt4F_c
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xfg1pswiOgM
- See Understanding Kids with Disabilities sample lesson plans and activities
- Talk about the tie between genetics, premature birth, etc. and disability in Family & Consumer Science, or Health, or PE, etc. class
- Do a short “hands on” activities on myths and misconceptions about disabilities Myths and Misconceptions and Myths quiz
- Teach sign language www.iidc.indiana.edu/cedir/kidsweb/amachart.html
- Have students come to class with a list of 10 famous people with disabilities (including presidents, actors, sports stars, artists, musicians)
- Have students take a virtual tour of the NY Museum of Disability website www.museumofdisability.org
- Feature artists who have disabilities in art class (Look for local Very Special Arts program http://www.vsarts.org/x332.xml)
- Have students write a report on disability history
- Have students create a public awareness campaign on shaping a new generation that is inclusive of everyone regardless of ability
- Have a poetry or song writing assignment in English class (write poetry/songs about disability awareness)