Part A: Exploring Diversity

Step 1.

You will begin this activity by reading or listening to a story about a person named Temple Grandin, who faced a range of challenges when she was growing up.

If you have a copy of the book; The Girl Who Thought in Pictures - The Story of Dr. Temple Grandin by Julia Finley Mosca, read it through on your own.

Or you can watch the book being read here:

The Girl Who Thought In Pictures by Julia Finley Mosca | Read Aloud for Kids | The Reading Booth (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wgBarZ5ytE)

Step 2.

Once you have finished reading or listening to the story, take some time to reflect on the story using the following questions. You could record your answers in writing or discuss them with a parent/caregiver.

What were things Temple found difficult?
What helped her?
What made her successful?
What do you think is the main message of the text?

Throughout this process, consider the fact that while Temple faced a very unique set of challenges related to the fact that she has autism, we can all face challenges at times. For all of us, there can be things we find difficult, or make us uncomfortable, or that we don’t understand.

Part B: Uniquely Me

Step 1.

Print out a copy of this sheet: List Your Strengths.

Cut out each activity and lay them on the table in front of you. Rearrange them in order of what you find easiest to hardest, with easiest at the top and hardest at the bottom.

Step 2.

When you finish, discuss your ordering with a parent/caregiver. You can then invite them to have a turn and compare your results.

Part C: Showing Your Strength

Step 1.

You are now going to complete a range of activities alongside a parent/caregiver (or other people in your household). You can complete the activities at the same time or one after the other.

Print or open the Show Your Strength Challenges document and read through the activities, making sure you understand what is required and that you have all the materials you need to complete the activities.

Select two activities that you would like to try. They can be the same activities as your parent/caregiver.

Select the first activity you would like to do. Once you’re ready to begin, set a timer or stopwatch to 10 minutes. Hit go and have a go at the activity!

Repeat for the other activity.

Step 2.

Once both you and your parent/caregiver have completed your activities, spend some time discussing the following:

Was everyone suited to the task in which the participated? Why/why not?
What successes did everyone have?
What did selecting tasks based on our strengths do to help everyone achieve?
What might have been different if we assigned everyone to random activities?

Step 3.

Finally, think about the following question:

How can we help everyone be great?

Have a conversation about this question with a parent/caregiver, or write your thoughts down in a few sentences.

Take It Further

Think up some other 'obstacles' you could create for you and your parent/caregiver (and other people in your household) and try them out!

Overcoming Obstacles To Success (home learning)

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