Activity 1B: Help the N.I.A.

Use the "Background Information" sheet to teach the students about the purpose and mission of the National Institutes of Aging (N.I.A.). The N.I.A. has a problem, they do not know what a typical older person looks like. Tell the students that their assignment is to draw a picture of a characteristic old person to help the N.I.A. with its job. Each student is to draw a picture of an "old" person. It is important that students draw a complete figure and include all pertinent physical features. The figure should be appropriately dressed and placed in a characteristic location so that the N.I.A. will have an easy time finding them. Each student should write a complete description of the older person, their features, their activities, and their abilities.

Answer questions on the "Processing Out Worksheet" to analyze and understand the drawings.