How the Program Works
- Organization of the Materials
- Scope and Sequence
- Adaptability of the Program
- Students with Disabilities
- Consistent Technical Assistance
Organization of the Materials
Express Diversity! is organized into five modules, each containing learning objectives, approximate class time and materials needed to complete the activity suggested in the module,step-by-step instructions for the art activities, follow-up discussions for the activities, extension activities, journal writing, homework, an annotated reading list, assessment guidelines and letters to students' families with activities and vocabulary in English and Spanish. Express Diversity! also includes appendices with supporting information including: an annotated bibliography of suggested readings, related organizations and Web sites; adaptations for students with disabilities; aset of student assessment sheets ; and a Teacher's Guide to the Timeline of Disability History.
The Express Diversity! guide has a Bulletin Board Kit with the Timeline of Disability History from 1400 to the present day; 22 portraits and biographies of individuals with disabilities across all different disabilities, cultures, and ethnic backgrounds; a list of Famous and Not-So Famous People with Disabilities; a Braille sample alphabet card; an American Sign Language alphabet; and a Poster of Interesting Facts about Disability and Society.
A video is provided with two 15 minute segments (the first from the film "Chuck Close: A Portrait in Progress," and the second "The Mother of Invention" is a CBS 60 Minutes segment) to accompany Modules Four and Five respectively.
Scope and Sequence
The modules use art activities to encourage exploration and discovery as well as in-depth understanding of disability in our world. ED! is both pilot and field tested. Materials are developed with a multiple intelligence's approach to engage and excite all students. Activities provide opportunities for appreciating the arts as a means of communication. Hands-on, interactive multi-arts modules encourage independent and critical thinking skills, and promote the arts as a lifelong tool.
We recommend starting with Module 1. Then, you may engage in the modules in any order that is appropriate for your student and classroom content areas. You may elect to use Express Diversity! in a concentrated time span, such as all the lessons in a period of a month, or you may want to space the program over a longer time period. For example, you may want to present a module a month over a five-month period.
The activities plus the many suggested extensions to the activities give you opportunities to integrate Express Diversity! with other content areas such as History, Language Arts, Social Studies, etc. throughout the schoolyear. Lessons included on universal design/barrier-free communities, people-first thinking, and independent living.
Adaptability
Express Diversity! is targeted for fifth grade students. Pilot and field testing have proven it effective for grades 1 - 7, however, lessons may be adapted for all other grades and ages. ED!'s interdisciplinary approach engages students' interest as well as creates new connections between concepts. This program is highly adaptable for students with a wide range of disabilities. It is an easy-to-use solution to curriculum materials for Exceptional Children's Week and/or Disability Awareness Month.
Students with Disabilities
If you have students with disabilities in your class, talk to them, and perhaps their families, before presenting Express Diversity! and ask them how they would like to contribute to or assist you with the modules. Discuss ways to recognize them and their disabilities. Be careful about leading them into participating in ways that are not comfortable for them. Allow them to guide the direction and amount of their involvement.
Consistent Technical Assistance
Support is available through training at VSA affiliate sites, phone, email, and online discussion groups to work through situations and adaptations.
(F) 202-429-0868