Paralympics: Where Heroes Come

background material, including information about the Paralympics and about the creators of this educational project

brief explanation of some terms used in the site

detailed curricular goals, objectives, and outcomes for social studies, language arts, and information and communication technology skills

list of student activities

link to copies of student handouts (formatted for easy printing)

information on receiving free copies of the book Paralympics: Where Heroes Come as an extra resource for your students (Note: you must pay shipping).

Background Information

	Why do a project on the Paralympics?
	Basic information about the Paralympic Games.

Terms Used in this Site

Wherever possible we simply refer to Paralympians. These individuals compete in the Paralympic competitions designed for elite athletes with a disability.
 

	Disabled athlete; we use Paralympic athlete
	Handicap; we use disability
	Handicapped; we use person with a disability
	Mentally retarded; we use person who is mentally challenged

The organizers of this site recognize that there is much controversy over these "politically correct" terms. Our aim is always to show our respect for the spirit and achievement of the Paralympians.
  

Detailed Goals and Objectives (Alberta Learning)

For the convenience of Alberta teachers using this project:

Grade 7 Social Studies
Topic A - Culture is a learned way of life, shared by a group of people.
This unit covers all related concepts, including communication, socialization, beliefs/values and roles.

Process Skills

	Locating/ Interpreting/Organizing Students will acquire information to find answers to questions through listening, observing, reading and utilizing community resources. make notes that outline the main and related ideas from reading and while listening and observing
	Analyzing/Synthesizing/Evaluating Students will determine values underlying a position Identify and evaluate alternative answers, conclusions, solutions or decisions regarding questions and issues for inquiry and research on culture.

Communication Skills

Students will write a short report, letter or explanation to defend a decision to encourage more conformity or individuality within some aspect of culture, emphasizing direct experience and background knowledge as sources of information

Participation Skills

Students will contribute to the group and group processes - extending the ideas of others, working towards a consensus or a decision.

Attitude Objectives
Students will be encouraged to develop

	Respect for the rights, needs, opinions and concerns of self and others
	Appreciation of the need for co-operation in group work and community life

Grade 7 Language Arts
Students will listen, speak, read, write, view and represent to respect, support and collaborate with others.

Students will

	discuss how ideas, people, experiences and cultural traditions are portrayed in various oral, print and other media texts.
	identify and discuss recurring themes in oral, print and other media texts from diverse cultures and communities.
	select and use appropriate form and tone for specific audiences to celebrate special events and accomplishments.
	demonstrate respect for diverse ideas, cultures and traditions portrayed in oral, print and other media texts.

Information and Communication Technology Outcomes
 F3. Students will demonstrate a moral and ethical approach to the use of technology.
 3.4 cite sources when using copyright and/or public domain material

 F4. Students will become a discerning consumer of mass media and electronic information
 3.1 identify aspects of style in a presentation
 3.3 identify specific techniques used by the media to elicit particular responses from users

 P. Processes for Productivity
 P1. Students will compose, revise and edit text.
 3.4 use appropriate communication technology to elicit feedback from others

 P6. Students will use communication technology to interact with others.
 3.1 communicate with a targeted audience, within a controlled environment, by using communication technologies such as newsgroups and web browsers

C. Inquiry, Decision Making, and Problem Solving
C1. Students will access and use information from a variety of technologies.
3.6 communicate in a persuasive and engaging manner, through appropriate forms, such as speeches, letters, reports and multimedia presentations, applying information technologies for content, audience and purpose

 C5. Students will use technology to aid collaboration during inquiry.
 3.2 use networks to brainstorm, plan and share ideas with group members

 C7. Students will use electronic research techniques to construct personal knowledge and meaning.
 3.2 make connections among related, organized data, and assemble various pieces into a unified message
 

Student Handouts

To access this material, you must be registered for this project. Registration is, of course, free. To register and/or request handouts, please contact the project coordinator, Cynthia Peterson (Cynthia.Peterson@epsb.ca).

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