The 3rd Graders got 1st hand experience on the physical struggles that their family and neighbors who are elderly might face. They also got to experience the emotional and safety concerns faced by the elderly.
Below the students have just been suited up for their elderly experience. They each are wearing glasses that have been coated with clear nail polish to demonstrate loss of vision; they have cotton in their ears to demonstrate loss of hearing; their fingers and thumbs have been taped to demonstrate loss of dexterity; and popcorn has been placed in their shoes to demonstrate discomfort in walking. At the end of the hour we turned this elderly group back into 8 and 9 year old 3rd graders.
Station 1 - Students experiencing vision and hearing loss.
Station 2 - Students experiencing decreased dexterity
Station 3 - Students experiencing why the elderly may have a lack of good nutrition.
Stations 4, 5 and 6 - Students experiencing decreased mobility