LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Read about the experience of a teen who has a sibling with a disability; identify challenges and benefits involved in growing up with a sibling who has a disability; distinguish facts from myths about people with disabilities.

HEALTH ED STANDARDS

NHES 7: Demonstrate the ability to practice health-enhancing behaviors and avoid or reduce health risks.

CASEL COMPETENCY: Social awareness

KEY VOCAB

rivalry

adaptive

mentality

mobility

genetic

mutations

Lesson Plan: My Life With a Sibling With a Disability

Sabrina’s brother Max is one of the more than 61 million adults in the U.S. living with a disability. Here’s what she wants you to know about life with her brother.

PREPARING TO READ

Before you read the article “My Life With a Sibling With a Disability,” ask your students the following pre-reading question:

What does it mean to grow up with a sibling who has a disability?

READING AND DISCUSSION

  • Have your students read the article “My Life With a Sibling With a Disability” independently; read the article out loud to them; or have students partner-read the article out loud.
  • After they’ve read the article, revisit the pre-reading question. Have their answers changed?

BUILDING COMPREHENSION AND VOCAB

Check students’ comprehension of and engagement with the story with the following assessment tools:

  • Comprehension Quiz
  • Vocab Builder

EXPANDING SEL OPPORTUNITIES

Continue the learning journey with the following writing prompt:

In WRITE TO MAX AND SABRINA!, students will write a half-page to one-page letter to Max and Sabrina. Have them start by explaining that they enjoyed reading “My Life With a Sibling With a Disability” in this month’s Scholastic Choices magazine. From there, they should share the most important things they learned from reading the article. Note: Forward your class’s responses to jyabroff@scholastic.com, and the Choices editorial team will make sure that Max and Sabrina receive them!

Print the Lesson Plan

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