How to be a Kind Helper Lesson
Kindergarten, 1st grade Sharon Pennock Kindergarten, 1st grade Sharon Pennock

How to be a Kind Helper Lesson

This lesson teaches students the qualities of being a Kind helper and how to put them into practice. Students will listen to a person with a disability and their personal assistant about what it means to be a Kind helper. After the talk, students will have a chance to ask questions about helping. Students will learn that open communication is key to a Kind helper relationship. Students will learn that a person with a disability can live full productive lives with the help of their personal attendant.

Image description: 9 raised hands with the words “How to be a Kind Helper”

Read More
Play Map: Designing Inclusive Spaces
2nd grade, 3rd grade Sharon Pennock 2nd grade, 3rd grade Sharon Pennock

Play Map: Designing Inclusive Spaces

Students will map out where they have recess. Students will be asked to reflect on the physical accessibility of their environment (i.e. 3 steps to go from classroom to outside, playground has woodchips and a step up). They will draw out a map for their current environment and then create new map that is a inclusive play area.

Image description: wheelchair accessible playground equipment and people playing on it

Read More
Social Model and Accessibility Proposal
6th grade, 7th grade, 8th grade Sharon Pennock 6th grade, 7th grade, 8th grade Sharon Pennock

Social Model and Accessibility Proposal

In this lesson students will survey their school environment, learn from a person(s) with a disability and research accessibility in schools. Students will have a chance to ask the speaker(s) questions and have a discussion with speaker(s) about the Social Model of Disability. They will use the information collected to design a brand-new school building with full accessibility for people with disabilities.

Image description: Illustration of a person seated in a wheelchair at the bottom of a set of stairs. There is a sign at the bottom of the stairs pointing to the stairs that says “WAY IN Everyone Welcome!”

Read More
The Toy Box: Introducing Disability Lesson
Kindergarten, 1st grade Sharon Pennock Kindergarten, 1st grade Sharon Pennock

The Toy Box: Introducing Disability Lesson

In this lesson students will get to explore and examine toy and adult versions of accessibility devices. The idea is to introduce disability to students using tactile and observational learning. Students will learn that all these devices are for people with disabilities to live their lives, enjoy themselves and access the community. It is no different from the everyday tools we use throughout our lives.

Image description: a photograph or an open toy box with the word “TOYS” on the front

Read More