Physical Disabilities Lesson Plans

Students define the terms disability and physical disability, and discuss the various abilities of people who use wheelchairs. They listen to the book, A Very Special Critter, interview a person with a physical disability, and create a class book.

Students role play what it would be like to have a physical disability. In this lesson on acceptance, students listen to the book A Rainbow of Friends by P.K. Hallinan. As a class, the students discuss similarities and differences in people's appearances and abilities. Students take turn role playing what it would be like to live with a physical disability.

Students explore human behavior by exploring mental and physical disabilities. In this learning disability lesson, students identify the different disabilities students have which prevent them from working at the same pace as the rest of the class. Students discuss ways they can treat learning disabled classmates better in order to boost their self-esteem.

Students meet an artist who overcame learning and physical disabilities and became a successful artist. They use a digital camera to imitate the style of one artist; and explore the connection between the use of technology and art.

Pupils explore issues concerning physical disabilities in an entertaining format of a puppet show. They interact and participate when asked to during the show, discuss what they learned from the puppet show.

Eighth graders without a disability are encouraged to gain a new perspective about what it is like to have a physical disability. They experience various examples (blindfolding, soundproof ear protection, wheelchair, etc.) to begin to accept and better understand those individuals who do have disabilities.

Examine legal issues in technology in an analytical way using an approach that will enable learners to understand the importance of utilizing technology to aid in the persuasive process in the courtroom. Since the United States consists of a system of civil laws, family laws, criminal laws, and federal laws, the young scholars should have some common understanding about what happens when someone goes to trial.

Students access prior knowledge of the five senses and relate to students with disabilities. In this people with disabilities lesson, students research and use a Venn diagram to compare and contrast famous people and their disabilities. Students experiment with a blindfold to understand what losing a sense is like.

Second graders investigate air and water as two sources of energy. They determine that wind and moving water are renewable resources that have advantages and disadvantages in their use. Through the design and construction of wind- and water-propelled devices, they identify factors that affect the motion and control of such devices.

Eighth graders investigate the question, "how does understanding the properties and characteristics of light help us to enhance our quality of life?". They apply knowledge gained though the unit in order to create an optical device.