Exploring Self-Identity and Understanding Ableism
Overview
In this lesson, students will come to understand the challenges and benefits of inclusion and accessibility.
Curricular Connections
Designed and Created by: Jugpreet Bajwa, Artist and Jesse Costello, Teacher, Elsie Roy Elementary, Vancouver School District, British Columbia.
Province/Grade/Subject British Columbia/Grade 4/Social Studies / Health and Career Education
Big Ideas
- Social Studies: People’s needs and wants are met in a variety of ways
- Health and Career Education: Healthy choices influence our physical, emotional, and mental well-being.
Curricular Competencies
- Social Studies: Use Social Studies inquiry processes and skills to ask questions; gather, interpret, and analyze ideas; and communicate findings and decisions. o Explain why people, events, or places are significant to various individuals and groups.
- Health and Career Education: Identify and describe factors that contribute to positive mental health. Describe and assess strategies for responding to discrimination, stereotyping, and bullying.
Wingspan Artist Profile: Jugpreet Bajwa
Jugpreet Bajwa, an alumnus of Seaquam Secondary (grad class of 2013), is an internationally acclaimed musician and performer, with three albums to his credit, and multiple successes across a platform of high-profile singing competitions spanning the globe. His musical journey began at the age of five which evolved into a lifelong passion despite facing the adversity of Eye Cancer to which he lost both his eyes. With a degree in Indian Classical Music and a Diploma in Western Classical Music, he received guidance from renowned mentors. His life’s mission is that of spreading love and peace through music globally.
Lesson Outline
Learning Objectives
- Students will understand the concept of ableism and its impact on people with disabilities.
- Students will develop empathy and strategies to support inclusivity.
Materials Needed
- Markers, crayons, and colored pencils
- Sticky notes
- Examples of assistive devices (if available)
Lesson Activities
Introduction (10 minutes):
Begin with a discussion on self-identity. Ask students what makes them unique and what they value about themselves. o Introduce the concept of ableism and discuss how it affects people with disabilities.
Activity: Tracing and Identifying (30 minutes):
Have each student lie down on a large sheet of paper while a partner traces their outline. o Inside the outline, students will draw or write things that are important to their self-identity (e.g., hobbies, family, cultural background, personal strengths).
Group Discussion: Understanding Ableism (20 minutes):
In small groups, have students discuss examples of ableism they might have seen or experienced. o Each group will share their examples with the class and discuss how these situations could be improved to be more inclusive.
Reflection and Sharing (20 minutes):
Have students reflect on what they learned about themselves and others. o Encourage students to share one thing they can do to help make their school or community more inclusive.
Conclusion (10 minutes):
Summarize the key points of the lesson.
Assign a short reflective writing task where students describe what they learned about self-identity and ableism.
Assessment and Extensions
Assessment
- Participation in group activities and discussions.
- Creativity and thoughtfulness in the tracing and identifying activity.
- Reflective writing task.
Extensions
- Create a class mural that combines all the traced outlines and highlights the diversity and strengths of each student.
- Plan a school-wide campaign to raise awareness about ableism and promote inclusivity.