Honouring Diversity in Senior High School
High school is a time where our students are gaining their independence. Many high school students are preparing for the transition to the workforce, or to post-secondary education. Those without and with exceptionalities may be nervous of what comes next. Many are excited for the plans they have made. This documentary style clip shows an individual living with Spina Bifida. He speaks of the hardships he encounters but he also speaks of the challenges that he has overcome and the independence he has gained. While this resource specifically addresses the challenges that individuals living with spina bifida face, I believe that this resource would best be used generally for honouring diversity.
Honouring Diversity Activity - Division 4
This video provides an excellent opportunity to discuss facing and overcoming challenges with high school students. After viewing this clip, students will be directed to consider and journal some of their own challenges that they have found ways to overcome. A teacher medited class discussion will follow where students will be invited to share some of the tools and supports they used to overcome their challenge. If students are reluctant to share, a discussion of Jeff's Story can occur. Probing questions could consider:
Jeff's attitude towards having spina bifida
Jeff's attitude towards other people in his life
How Jeff's life could be different if his attitude towards his disability was different.
As a conclusion to this activity, the teacher will encourage students to look beyond someones outer appearance and to consider what that individual CAN do, not what they CANNOT.
Resource link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_aoXiHmX4k
Karissa Donkersgoed
Jeff's attitude towards having spina bifida
Jeff's attitude towards other people in his life
How Jeff's life could be different if his attitude towards his disability was different.
As a conclusion to this activity, the teacher will encourage students to look beyond someones outer appearance and to consider what that individual CAN do, not what they CANNOT.
Resource link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_aoXiHmX4k
Karissa Donkersgoed