A school project has helped Crofton Elementary School students to uncover facts and overcome the fear of the unknown for themselves and others.
Division 1 and 2 students learned about various invisible disabilities and body systems as a part of a large science unit. Under the umbrella term of invisible disabilities, the whole spectrum of hidden disabilities or challenges primarily neurological in nature were covered.
Student projects that summarized their learning were on display at the school gymnasium last Wednesday, March 9 during a showcase for the school community, families and friends. The students were also there to speak about their topics. Some from teacher Cassie Ward or Jody FairweatherB次元官网网址檚 classes worked in pairs and others individually on their projects.
ItB次元官网网址檚 an assignment near and dear to WardB次元官网网址檚 heart.
B次元官网网址淚 have two kids with neurodiversity who attend the school,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚t was part of it.
B次元官网网址淟ast year was our first year. We plan on doing it every year. TheyB次元官网网址檙e very eager to learn about invisible disabilities and taking that knowledge forward and sharing it with others.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淚 think itB次元官网网址檚 an amazing thing,B次元官网网址� added Fairweather. B次元官网网址淭he kids learn how these body systems are interconnected, bringing more awareness to the invisible disability rather than the physical ones.B次元官网网址�
Div. 1 students Thea Vanham and Samara Darwin teamed up for a project on Fragile X Syndrome.
B次元官网网址淲e didnB次元官网网址檛 know anything about it,B次元官网网址� said Vanham.
Darwin said they worked on the project for nearly two weeks.
B次元官网网址淲e found one page and we got information about that,B次元官网网址� she added.
Through their research, they found out many things about the condition, including that itB次元官网网址檚 a genetic disorder.
B次元官网网址淢ales are most affected,B次元官网网址� noted Vanham. B次元官网网址淔emales can also get it, but itB次元官网网址檚 not as severe.B次元官网网址�
Div. 2 students Savannah Bruneau and Emma Cooper did their assignment on anxiety.
B次元官网网址淲e both have anxiety disorder,B次元官网网址� said Bruneau. B次元官网网址淲e wanted to do something we both are familiar with. ThatB次元官网网址檚 why we are partners.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淲e only had a month. A month is really not that long, especially for all this to be done.We just finished it literally last minute.B次元官网网址�
The girls made up a series of cue cards to address and answer questions about anxiety.
For example, one question was about how anxiety and body systems are interrelated.
B次元官网网址淎nxiety disorder can cause rapid heart rate, palpitations and chest pain,B次元官网网址� said Cooper. B次元官网网址淵ou may also be at an increased risk of high blood pressure and heart disease.B次元官网网址�
In response to another question about what disadvantages a person has with anxiety disorder, B次元官网网址渉eart palpitations and a rapid breathing pattern are commonly experienced during a bout of anxiety,B次元官网网址� Cooper added.
Grade 5 students Natalie Potter and Jocelyn Price worked together on a project about intellectual disorder.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a brain disorder,B次元官网网址� said Potter. B次元官网网址淯sually, it can be managed.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淚ntellectual disorder is actually quite similar to autism and it can sometimes be mixed up,B次元官网网址� pointed out Price.
There were many more interesting projects and the students enjoyed the opportunity to speak to people about what they learned.
don.bodger@chemainusvalleycourier.ca
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