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RESOURCES FOR
THE CLASSROOM

We have compiled parents' and educators' favorite disability awareness books and activities for students of all ages in hope that it will help your classroom celebrate the differences in all of us and what makes each child unique. Our goal is for children to see the beauty in all God's children and appreciate everyone's abilities - disability or not. Below is a list of our favorite literature on inclusion which teachers and families will find helpful in celebrating all God's children.

RESOURCES FOR  PRE-K TO GRADE 3

Spookley and the Pumpkin Jamboree | read by Author Joe Troiano
06:07
Spookley the Square Pumpkin

Spookley and the Pumpkin Jamboree | read by Author Joe Troiano

Join Joe Troiano for a reading of his new book, “Spookley and the Pumpkin Jamboree.” The book, which is exclusively available via Scholastic Book Clubs in its inaugural year, helps us all learn that there is no one right way to celebrate Halloween! ABOUT SPOOKLEY THE SQUARE PUMPKIN AND HOLIDAY HILL FARM: Spookley the Square Pumpkin was first introduced to millions of children in author Joe Troiano's book, The Legend of Spookley the Square Pumpkin, in which Spookley is shunned by all of the round pumpkins until a mighty storm threatens to destroy the entire pumpkin patch and only Spookley, with his unique shape, can save the day. Spookley delivers a powerful message of tolerance and kindness that is embraced by educators, caregivers, and non-profit organizations worldwide. Spookley can now be seen in two movies, Spookley the Square Pumpkin and Spookley and the Christmas Kittens, that air annually on Disney Junior and Netflix and are available on all major digital platforms. Spookley and his friends live on Holiday Hill Farm, a world of storytelling magic where "Every Day is a Holiday." Official Website: https://www.spookley.com Official Store: https://www.shopspookley.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spookley Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spookleythesquarepumpkin Official Amazon Webstore: https://www.amazon.com/spookleythesquarepumpkin © Holiday Hill Enterprises, LLC. All rights reserved.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR GRADES PreK - Grade 3:

Here is a worksheet to invite students to talk about their family member with a disability:

 

 

 

 

COLORING PAGES TO CELEBRATE DISABILITY :

 

 

 

 

 

It’s important for children to feel represented in the books they read. It’s also important for books to expose children to the beautiful diversity of our world. This includes the varying abilities and disabilities around the globe. To promote inclusivity and representation, we’ve rounded up 53 books featuring characters with disabilities.

If you have a child who can speak, you’ve probably had the experience: Your child spots a person in a wheelchair and they start pointing and asking questions, loudly. Kristen Parisi speaks about teaching children about disability, at every age in this article.

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Popping Wheelies Website

Guide Dog.gif

Disability Coloring Page Website

RESOURCES FOR GRADES 4 - 5

Katie's Disability Awareness Video

Katie's Disability Awareness Video

Best viewed in full screen. This movie provides tips on Disability Etiquette in kid-friendly terms. The illustrations are taken from a children's book, "How Katie Got a Voice (and a Cool New Nickname)." The book celebrates that which makes us all unique, but also highlights how sometimes a little help is needed to show us how much we are alike. The story is told by a fourth grade classmate of Katie, the new girl in school. All of the adults and children in the "school have nicknames related to their individual interests and personalities. When Katie comes into the class, the students are eager to involve her in their activities and to learn what is special about her. This proves to be quite a challenge. Katie has significant physical disabilities which make her dependent on a Personal Care Assistant for everything, even communicating. How can Katie fit in with her classmates when she can't even talk? When Katie is introduced to assistive technology, she is finally able to communicate with her new friends. As a result, the students are delighted to see her as a person with many interests and abilities, just like them. Katie knows she is a valued member of the school when she is given her own special nickname. This book can be read in the classroom, in speech/language therapy, and at home as a way to open a discussion about acceptance, inclusion, disability etiquette, the importance of effective communication, and overcoming challenges through assistive technology. Discussion questions are posted on www.speakingofspeech.com on the Lesson Plans & Data Form page. The author, Patricia Mervine, is a speech/language pathologist and assistive technology consultant with 20 years' experience in working with students with significant communication disorders.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR GRADES 4 - 5:

Celebrating Disabilities Activity:

This cartoon has a message to help us think of others and their needs in a different way. Please look closely, read the cartoon, and respond to the questions on paper or in small group discussions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is a worksheet to invite students to talk about their family member with a disability:

 

COLORING PAGES CELEBRATING DISABILITY:

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s important for children to feel represented in the books they read. It’s also important for books to expose children to the beautiful diversity of our world. This includes the varying abilities and disabilities around the globe. To promote inclusivity and representation, we’ve rounded up 53 books featuring characters with disabilities.

If you have a child who can speak, you’ve probably had the experience: Your child spots a person in a wheelchair and they start pointing and asking questions, loudly. Kristen Parisi speaks about teaching children about disability, at every age in this article.

fall-halloween-lion-tiger-and-bear-eyes_orig.png

Popping Wheelies Website

Guide Dog.gif

Disability Coloring Page Website

RESOURCES FOR GRADES 6-8

50 Mums | 50 Kids | 1 Extra Chromosome
04:39
Wouldn't Change a Thing

50 Mums | 50 Kids | 1 Extra Chromosome

The mums in this video and the dad who created it met online and got together to show the world just how ordinary and fun life with the condition is and how they "Wouldn't Change a Thing". It features a carpool karaoke lip sync in support of World Down Syndrome Day 2018 and features 50 mums and their children singing along to Christina Perri's multi-platinum selling track, "A Thousand Years". This video inspired the start of Charity 'Wouldn't Change A Thing' which was set up in June 2018. Years later the parent volunteer led organisation continues to work with its mission 'To make negative perceptions of people with Down syndrome a thing of the past' The charity has continued to produce successful awareness campaigns, a Wouldn't Change A Thing Book gifted free for new parents, school resources and more. All motivated through love of their children and the want for positive change to perceptions. (social media links below) The video was originally inspired by Singing Hands - a UK organisation who's videos have helped many in the group learn Makaton for supporting their children’s communication development. Makaton is designed to help hearing people with learning or communication difficulties using signs, symbols alongside speech. With thanks to the artist Christina Perri for her support and Singing Hands for the original concept. You can download the original track here: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/a-thousand-years/467980710?i=467980724 Singing Hands YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/SingingHandsUK Wouldn't Change A Thing Social Media Channels: Website: https://www.wouldntchangeathing.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wouldntchangeathingdotorg/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/Wouldntchangea1 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wcatcharity_official/ Youtube: Wouldn’t Change A Thing Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wcat_official LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/wouldn-t-change-a-thing
Just Like You-Down Syndrome
13:38
Isaac Alongi

Just Like You-Down Syndrome

NOTICE: Just Like You Films are subject to copyright owned by Just Like You, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Any reproduction or republication of all or part of any Just Like You Films is expressly prohibited, unless JLY Inc. has explicitly granted its prior written consent All other rights reserved. The names, trademarks, service marks and logos of JLY Films or the sponsors appearing in this film may not be used in any advertising or publicity, or otherwise to indicate sponsorship or affiliation with any product or service, without prior express written permission from JLY Films and the film sponsors. Neither JLY Films, nor any party involved in creating, producing or delivering information and material via JLY Films, shall be liable for any direct, incidental, consequential, indirect, or punitive damages arising out of access to, use of or inability to use this film, or any errors or omissions in the content thereof. TO INQUIRE ABOUT OBTAINING LICENSE CONTACT: Amy Allison amy@kcdsg.org JUST LIKE YOU -- DOWN SYNDROME - explores the life, hopes, challenges and dreams of three kids living with Down syndrome. Elyssa, Rachel and Sam share personal stories to help viewers better understand their condition and why they wish to be treated just like you. Each of our stars has their own talents, characteristics, strengths and challenges. Down syndrome is just one part of who they are and this film identifies how to handle and accommodate differences while celebrating the many similarities our friends with Down syndrome have with their peers. We have translated the film into Spanish and we are currently working on Portuguese and Russian. Email me at amy@kcdsg.org if you are interested in learning more about the costs to translate the film into Swedish. Visit http://www.justlikeyou-downsyndrome.org/ to learn more and purchase a DVD of the film. Like our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/JustLikeYouDs and share your feedback!
Acceptance is my Superpower | Read Aloud by Reading Pioneers Academy
09:20
Reading Pioneers Academy

Acceptance is my Superpower | Read Aloud by Reading Pioneers Academy

Do you want your children to honor, celebrate, and see the beauty in our differences? We are all different. And whilst children are often wonderful at accepting differences easily, there are times when a lack of understanding can result in hurtful words or actions. As adults, it is our responsibility to teach children that differences are not flaws but are, in fact, our super powers. Lisa, a primary school student with a love of singing, learns just that in ‘Acceptance is my Superpower’ when a cruel comment from someone she regards as a friend leads her down a path of discovery of the true meaning of diversity and how it can be applied to everyone. Laid out as a charming poem with colourful illustrations, children will delight in learning: • How to love themselves • How to accept others • How to control negative emotions • How to share their newfound knowledge Learning by example The examples in this story are there to teach children that their differences are not to be ridiculed but instead, celebrated. When Lisa learns this valuable lesson in the book and then shares that knowledge with the person who upset her, we realise the importance of helping children understand the world would be a very boring place indeed if we were all the same. ••• “Just like all the petals on all these different flowers, Diversity is beautiful and gives us superpowers!” Please join me and Lucas spread the word to all you know, Acceptance is our superpower and together we will grow. ••• From the bestselling author of Kindness is my Superpower Join Lisa and Lucas, as together, they learn the most valuable lesson of all - they have a superpower - their acceptance. To support Alicia Ortego, and get your hands on your own copy of the book, both the printed version or ebook, click here: https://amzn.to/3tRoTk5 My Superpower Books: https://amzn.to/3kZs4XX My Superpower Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLude0WtcfIhebjOh77-RsF_iynFGwQXnf Also check out her website: http://aliciaortego.com/ Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/reading_pioneers/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/readingpioneers/ Visit our websites to see other stories and materials related to ESL and teaching English http://www.readingpioneers.com/ Fair Use Act - 17 U.S.C. § 107, Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 106 and 106A, the fair use of a copyrighted work, including such use by reproduction in copies or phonorecords or by any other means specified by that section, for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching (including multiple copies for classroom use), scholarship, or research, is not an infringement of copyright. #readingpioneers #acceptance

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR GRADES 6-8:

This cartoon has a message to help us think of others and their needs in a different way. Please look closely, read the cartoon, and respond to the questions on paper or in small group discussions:

Here is a worksheet to invite students to talk about their family member with a disability:

Here is a great list of middle school books featuring children and young adults with physical disabilities. 

If you have a child who can speak, you’ve probably had the experience: Your child spots a person in a wheelchair and they start pointing and asking questions, loudly. Kristen Parisi speaks about teaching children about disability, at every age in this article.

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