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About the Positively Aging® & M.O.R.E. Curricular Programs
What can this program do for you?
Aging is a universal process expressed in a myriad of ways, not only in humans, but also in all organisms. Due to the increase in average life spans at birth reaching 80 years or more, our society has become rich with persons over the age of 65. Children today will face decisions that can enhance or detract from the vigor, independence, and quality of their longer future life spans. They must begin during their younger years to develop the lifelong habits of critical thinking and skills in decision-making. The Positively Aging® and Minority Opportunities in Research Education (M.O.R.E.) curricular programs and teacher enrichment opportunities use examples from the Gerontologic Sciences and Health Sciences to enhance math, life and behavioral sciences, especially with regards to health promotion and disease prevention, through an integrated, interdisciplinary approach. The curriculum consists of over 300 interdisciplinary activities with updates on a regular basis. The curricular programs have evolved as the result of on-going partnerships between:
The Positively Aging® curriculum is an approved resource available for lending at SCIMAST Access Centers (Southwest Consortium for the Improvement of Mathematics and Science Teaching). The curriculum is also recommended by the Texas Education Agency Health and Physical Education Division .
During the middle and high school years, youths are changing physically, socially, emotionally and intellectually. In addition, they are facing many choices and pressures which are more than ordinary -- they are critical and life-determining. These years offer a time to recapture students and encourage them to develop positive habits which will enhance the quality of their lives as they age. This curriculum gives students the opportunity to experience instruction in an interdisciplinary manner, with considerable focus on fostering critical thinking skills and practicing lifelong decision making. That we live in an aging world is now widely recognized. In fact, 33 million Americans are over the age of 65 right now. Additionally, adolescents in the 1990's may expect an average life span of about 80 years, with some people living past 100. There are ample studies and witness to validate that the quality of the life awaiting us all can be enhanced. Therefore, today's adolescents need to acquire a knowledge base on development and aging, and to cultivate the skills, habits and attitudes necessary to reap the benefits of aging. This curriculum contains suggested activities to gradually move students toward a more futuristic and empathetic mind set. Students may discover that in many ways, their concerns and needs are similar to those of the aged -- feeling cared for and respected; having a sense of belonging, yet being independent; being treated fairly. The curriculum encourages and is greatly enhanced by student involvement in cross-generational relationships. The format allows for infusing "aging" into the established curriculum. It is designed to be used as interdisciplinary units. It affords teachers the freedom to adapt and enhance lessons according to subject matter, specific learner needs, and the community dynamics acting upon the attendance area served by the school. Goals
Aims
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