Strength in disability

http://www.omaha.com/livewellnebraska/health/nebraska-teen-makes-abc-world-news-tonight-for-his-inspiring/article_2be5104e-f62e-11e7-a090-5b8207f6164d.html

James Meiergerd is a High School student in Nebraska, US. He supports his High School basketball team and attends all their games. Last week during half time he attempted a trick shot in front of the crowd. His friend joined him on court as he attempted a backward half court basket; this is where you stand in centre court with your back to the basket and throw the ball over your head. The first shot didn't get in the basket but James kept trying; after a few shots the crowd started cheering on James and on the tenth attempt he sunk the basket.

The shot was caught on camera and has gone viral. James has been featured on American news and the Globetrotters have asked James to meet them.

James has down syndrome. He has a facebook page "Winner with Down syndrome" which says, "I want people to be aware that children and adults with disabilities should not have limits". On the page James's Mum says, "(James) teaches us all what true strength is, unconditional ,love, acceptance, and inclusion to everyone he meets."

What do you see in the picture?

What do you think is happening?

explain the story

- Did James know for certain he was going to sink the ball?

- Why did James get up in front of the huge crowd and risk failure in front of everyone?

- The first 9 shots did not get in the basket; why did James carry on?

- The crowd started cheering; why?

- Why did people go wild when the ball hit the basket? Would the crowd have the same reaction if James had sunk the basket on the first attempt? Why not? What does this show?

- Why does James have "Winner with down syndrome" as his Facebook page. Is James always winning? Why does he use that word; what is he trying to show people?

- What does he mean by "children and adults with disabilities should have no limits"?

- James's mum says true strength is "inclusion for everyone"; what does she mean?

- What can we learn form James?

- Why is this story about No Outsiders?

"No Outsiders in our school: Teaching the Equality Act in Primary" schools by Andrew Moffat

"Reclaiming radical ideas in schools: Preparing young children for life in modern Britain" by Andrew Moffat

Gender roles

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/18/new-zealand-jacinda-ardern-pregnant

Jacinda Ardern is the prime minister of New Zealand and last week announced that she was pregnant. This has become news around the world because many people are saying this shows gender roles are more equal today; Jacinda can have a baby and be prime minister of a country at the same time. Jacinda says, "I'll be prime minister and a mum and Clarke will be 'first man of fishing' and stay at home dad." (Clarke is Jacinda's partner and famous in New Zealand for hosting a TV programme about fishing).

James Shaw, leader of the Green Party in New Zealand says, "That a woman can be the prime minister of New Zealand and choose to have a family while in office says a lot about the kind of country we are and that we can be - modern, progressive, inclusive and equal."

Former prime minister of New Zealand Helen Clark congratulated Jacinda and said, "Every woman should have the choice of combining family and career."

Jacinda says, "Lots of people juggle a lot of things in their personal and private lives and I'm not unusual in that. Plenty of women have multi-tasked before me."

"I am so looking forward to my new role as parent. But I am equally focused on my job and responsibilities as prime minister."

What do you see in the picture?
One of these people is prime minister of New Zealand. Which one do you think?
Who do you think the other person is and why do you think they are looking so happy?

Explain the story

- Why has this story become news around the world?
- What are Jacinda and her partner Clarke showing the world about being parents?
- Why is this story about Gender roles?
- James Shaw says New Zealand is 'modern, progressive, inclusive and equal.' What do these words mean and why does James say that?
- What does multi-tasking mean?
- Why does the former prime minister say "Every woman should have the choice of combining family and career"?
- In the UK what does the Equality Act say about being pregnant?
- What can we learn from Jacinda and Clarke?
- Why is this story about No Outsiders?

"No Outsiders in our school: Teaching the Equality Act in primary schools" by Andrew Moffat

"Reclaiming radical ideas in schools: Preparing young children for life in modern Britain" by Andrew Moffat

Archery and difference

https://www.courier-journal.com/story/life/wellness/fitness/2017/11/21/kentucky-teen-world-champion-archer/846040001/

Faith Oakley is a world class archer; she is ranked in the top 10 High School archers in the world. 

Faith started archery as a young child at a summer camp where her teacher suggested she join in the sport. Faith thought she could not take part because she is unable to use her right arm, "I told her she was crazy; I didn't have enough hands." 

But her teacher held the bow and Faith pulled back the string with her other arm. Faith loved the sport and then started using her teeth to pull back the string instead of her arm. 

Faith says, "What I love about archery is that you don't have to be the tallest or the strongest or the fastest runner. You just have to have a strong mind and be willing to put a lot of work in to it."

Faith explains how she fires an arrow: "I out the arrow on my string and hold it in my teeth, then I take a deep breath. I inhale and exhale a couple of times, then pull the string back and hold it at my aim point for two seconds and then I let go with my mouth."

A coach at Faith's team says; "She doesn't use her back muscles to pull like the rest of the kids. She sued the strength in her jaw and she aims differently, stands differently. Everything is different. But she never wants to be treated differently and she's extremely determined and dedicated."

Faith says, "Instead of tearing myself down, I'm working hard on making myself learn from my mistakes. I don't get down on myself, I think about how I'm going to fix this and reapply myself and do it better next time."

What do you see in the picture?

What do you notice about the arrow and where it has come from?

Explain the story

How do archers usually use their equipment?

What is different about Faith?

Why do you think at summer camp Faith's teacher suggested she have a go at archery when she knew Faith's arm worked differently?

What was the impact of the teacher finding a way to get Faith involved?

What does this demonstrate about attitudes towards differences in people and disabilities?

Faith's coach says "Everything is different" about the way Faith takes part in the sport. What does this demonstrate about her team?

Faith says, "I think about how I'm going to fix this and reapply myself." Can she 'fix' her arm? What does she mean by this?

What can we learn from Faith?

Why is this story about No Outsiders?

(note: there is an excellent short film of Faith using her archery skills on the link above)

No Outsiders in our school: Teaching the Equality Act in primary schools by Andrew Moffat

Reclaiming radical ideas in school: Preparing young children for life in modern Britain by Andrew Moffat

NYE rainbow fireworks

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2017/12/31/sydney-welcomes-2018-with-rainbow-display-celebrating-same-sex-marriage/

People across the world celebrated New Years Eve and the start of 2018 this week. In Sydney, Australia more than 1.5 million people attended a spectacular firework display over the harbour bridge. 

During the display, the bridge was lit up in rainbow colours to celebrate the legalisation of gay marriage in Australia in 2017. Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said, "This is a fabulous way to see out 2017- the year that four out of five Sydneysiders said a resounding 'yes' to marriage equality."

The display was watched around the world by an estimated audience of 1 billion people.

What's happening in the picture?

When and where was the picture taken?

Explain the story

- Why do people around the world celebrate New Year?

- Is the celebration only for people who are Christian? Only for Muslim people? Only for Black people or for white people? Who is New Years Eve for? (everybody)

- Why do so many people watch the Australian celebrations?

- Why did Australia choose to use rainbow fireworks this year?

- Over 1 billion people around the world watched the display. What are Australia saying to the world?

- What can we learn from Australia?

- Why is this story about No Outsiders? 

No Outsiders in our school: Teaching the Equality Act in primary schools by Andrew Moffat

Reclaiming radical ideas in schools: Preparing young children for life in modern Britain by Andrew Moffat