Be a Fan of Inspiration ...
"When I first started playing two years ago, I wasn't that good," Bowers said. "I am better at the game now because I practice all the time."
Be a Fan of Inclusion ...
Sanders found a new meaning to life when he joined Special Olympics. He said that being a part of this is keeping him off the streets and it's something to look forward to because he made new friends.
Be a Fan of Sport ...
Martinez, who is from Sullivan County and is coached by Melissa Ebeling, believes that the Special Olympics has helped him stay motivated as well keeping positive.
SO Get Into It
A Curriculum that Breaks Barriers
Involve students in learning about those who are different but who can nonetheless inspire the world with the lesson that we all have gifts to contribute no matter what our limitations.
Special Olympics Get Into It is a free curriculum that celebrates gifts - the diverse gifts of every student whatever his or her ability. Through the world of Special Olympics, every student can come to recognize
that he or she has the power to make a difference.
Through SO Get Into It, students will learn about the Special Olympics experience and all its positive messages. They will come to understand the athletes' ability to contribute to society through leadership roles both on and off the playing field. They will come to appreciate the critical role of service-learning. Most important, they will be invited to make a difference themselves.
SO Get Into It is about the world of winners called Special Olympics, but it is much more: it is a portal through which young people can discover the pathway to building a more welcoming society for all.
SO Get Into It Celebrates Differences
SO Get Into It offers teachers tailored curriculums for all grade levels:
K-2
Elementary School (grades 3-5
Middle School (6-8)
High School (9-12)
Each grade level span of the materials offers four basic lessons for regular education classrooms. The program was designed as a relatively simple way to achieve several closely related student learning goals:
To understand, accept and celebrate individual differences;
To learn about and become involved in Special Olympics; and
To become involved in a service-learning project or activity related to
Special Olympics, including participation in Special Olympics sports and events.
The lessons also are designed to support, and be in alignment with, academic standards, youth and character development, service-learning and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Teachers also may find that the initiative opens doors to important new learning opportunities throughout the school year.
Download your FREE curriculum now!
Endorsed by Leading Educational Organizations
Leading educational organizations share the vision of bringing the message of Special Olympics to students around the world including:
AAHPERD (American Alliance for Health Physical Education Recreation and Dance)
ASCD (Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development)
Compact for Learning and Citzenship
Council for Exceptional Children
The Joseph P. Kennedy Foundation
NAESP (National Association of Elementary School Principals)
NASPE (National Association for Sport and Physical Education)
NYLC (National Youth Leadership Council)
National Association of Secondary School Principals
American School Counselor Association
Special Olympics is also grateful to the U.S. Department of Education, The Phoenix Companies, Ray and Stephanie Lane, "Nick News" and Linda Ellerbee, Universal Studios, Simon & Schuster, and ABC Entertainment/Disney Educational Productions for their generous support of these materials.
To learn more about the SO Get Into curriculum, contact Bill Collins at 518-388-0791, or email him at bcollins@nyso.org .