Job Discussion Forums

[JimDunlop2]

Thanks to all those who helped me out on my previous endeavors.... If you remember, I was asked by an elementary school to teach grade 5 students about world peace, terrorism and 9/11, and other social issues.

Well, here is the latest in a string of bizzare lesson requests from this one school.


(Incidentally, I dread going to this school because 1) I am not a trained social studies teacher, and even though I've tried explaining that fact to them, they stubbornly insist that I teach the topics they give me; 2) I'm not a trained special ed. teacher and on every visit I must teach 5 EXTREMELY difficult mentally challenged kids with serious behaviour problems. Again, they insist I umm.. "teach" them each time I come.... (I put teach into quotation marks because most of the class is spent scraping the kids off the ceiling, stopping/preventing them from beating up the teachers, and putting up the incesssant screaming and shrieking that starts long before the class begins and goes nonstop long after the class ends)...)

Anyway, rant aside, here's the scoop. Maybe if my previous lessons had not gone so well (with big thanks to the people of this website) they would not keep asking me to teach this stuff.

This time, I've been asked to teach a lesson (to 72 grade 6 students) about: welfare, the difference btwn the Canadian and Japanese welfare systems, social and government resources for the aged and elderly, resources for handicapped people -- how is it different being handicapped? Mobility issues for the handicapped (eg. busses, wheelchair ramps, etc...)

As usual, the school wants me to lecture to the students. Me, I figure I can speak about this kind of stuff for maybe 1/2 the class, but the other half I'd like to make interactive. Otherwise it's no fun for me, nor for the students.

Does anyone have any suggestions for me about any possible games/activities/interactive exercises/group work that might work to teach them about one or more of the issues they laid out in their request to me? BTW, my class is usually held in the gym so I have lots of room for stuff....

Much appreciated.

JD2


P.S. For those who are interested, my "world peace" lesson plan was a huge hit. I had an interactive discussion with the kids (through a translator) and then we played some "peace" games that illustrated the importance of international cooperation versus war.

[Glenski]

Whatever you do, it will be relatively easy to mimic certain physical handicaps.

Blindness -- have them wear a blindfold and try to navigate somewhere (safely, of course)

Deafness -- plug their ears and try something similar

Immobility -- tie a leg or arm to prevent its use (putting on a shirt or pants, tying your shoes, eating, etc.), or have people play wheelchair basketball together