Paralympics: Where Heroes Come

Project Overview

	Purpose,
	Outcomes,
	Grade/age level,
	Curricular goals and objectives,
	Timeline

PURPOSE

This is a joint language arts/social studies project designed to assist students in developing an appreciation of the Paralympic Games as a celebration of the power of the human mind, body, and spirit.

OUTCOMES

Students will develop a perspective on culture based on the Paralympic community by exploring Internet sites on the Paralympics (including a site we will build specifically for the project) to investigate the concepts of communication, socialization, beliefs and values, and roles.

A vital part of the project is the Student Work section. As a culminating activity students will create a presentation such as a brochure, pamphlet, newspaper, multimedia presentation, newsletter, or web page to promote the Paralympic Games.

The presentation will include items such as profiles of athletes, information about the Paralympic movement's goals and history, editorials on rights of people with disabilities, and information about host cities relating to their hosting of the Paralympics.

Teachers are encouraged to send presentations or other student work to be displayed on the project site.

GRADE/AGE LEVEL

Grades 7-11; ages 12-16

CURRICULAR GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

For detailed curricular goals/objectives, select the links in each subject area.

Grade 7 language arts (Alberta Learning): covers many areas in the five general outcomes for English language arts

Grade 7 social studies (Alberta Learning): Topic A - Culture is a learned way of life shared by a group of people.

Information and Communication Technology Outcomes (Alberta Learning): covers many areas

TIMELINE

The time required to complete this project varies, depending on the individual teacher and class. We recommend, if possible, that teachers use both language arts and social studies classes to complete activities. This is NOT necessary, however.

Options

If used to cover Topic A of Grade 7 social studies, the project will require 4-6 weeks.

The unit may also be used to review Topic A before the final examination: 2-3 weeks.

Teacher selects activities designed to introduce students to the Paralympic movement: 2 weeks, not including time for e-mail discussions, athlete visits, or field trips.

Teacher selects language arts activities only: 2-3 weeks.

Important Dates

Although schools can participate in this project at their own convenience, we will establish dates for posting material to the project web site.

We will establish biweekly deadlines for e-mail or discussion board exchanges.

Final submissions of student work MUST be completed by the project end date. Work may be submitted earlier, as completed.

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	Students will develop a perspective on culture based on the Paralympic community by exploring Internet sites on the Paralympics (including a site we will build specifically for the project) to investigate the concepts of communication, socialization, beliefs and values, and roles.
	A vital part of the project is the Student Work section. As a culminating activity students will create a presentation such as a brochure, pamphlet, newspaper, multimedia presentation, newsletter, or web page to promote the Paralympic Games.
	The presentation will include items such as profiles of athletes, information about the Paralympic movement's goals and history, editorials on rights of people with disabilities, and information about host cities relating to their hosting of the Paralympics.

	Grade 7 language arts (Alberta Learning): covers many areas in the five general outcomes for English language arts
	Grade 7 social studies (Alberta Learning): Topic A - Culture is a learned way of life shared by a group of people.
	Information and Communication Technology Outcomes (Alberta Learning): covers many areas

	If used to cover Topic A of Grade 7 social studies, the project will require 4-6 weeks.
	The unit may also be used to review Topic A before the final examination: 2-3 weeks.
	Teacher selects activities designed to introduce students to the Paralympic movement: 2 weeks, not including time for e-mail discussions, athlete visits, or field trips.
	Teacher selects language arts activities only: 2-3 weeks.

	Although schools can participate in this project at their own convenience, we will establish dates for posting material to the project web site.
	We will establish biweekly deadlines for e-mail or discussion board exchanges.
	Final submissions of student work MUST be completed by the project end date. Work may be submitted earlier, as completed.