With March being right around the corner, I thought it was great time to share this Down Syndrome Awareness Mini-Lesson with you. This will give you ample time to be ready to celebrate National Down Syndrome Day on March 21 if you teach a child development, health and wellness or a parenting class!

Set

• Intro Activity: Play “Cover the Table” to see how much students already know about down syndrome. Students share what they’ve written.
• Show the YouTube video titled, “All About Down Syndrome” and have students complete the questions as they view. Discuss the answers in class or collect and grade…your call.
• Set up the MYTH or FACT statement cards around the room for students to circulate through. They are to decide if the statement is a MYTH or a FACT and justify their answers. Provide them with the Down Syndrome Facts Sheet from the National Down Syndrome Society to reference if they need additional help.
• Discuss their responses or collect for a grade and go over afterwards to be sure students understand the facts before completing the next activity.

Materials

• iPads or Laptops
• Projector & Screen
• Myth or Fact Statement Cards (laminated for durability
• Colored Markers, Pencils or Crayons
• Thin Black Sharpies

Activities

• Explain to students that they will be celebrating Word Down Syndrome Day on March 21 by decorating socks!  Why socks?
• The celebration of World Down Syndrome Day (March 21st) includes wearing brightly colored, mismatched socks. This tradition was inspired by the chromosomal shape (resembling socks) and serves as a fun and visible way to show support and celebrate diversity.
• Socks are also a conversation starter to spread awareness about Down Syndrome. How?
• By wearing unique socks, people help start conversations about inclusion and the importance of supporting individuals with Down Syndrome. The mismatched aspect of the socks symbolizes that it’s okay to be different.
• Give each student a sock template and encourage them to design their own socks with vibrant colors and unique patterns that celebrate diversity and inclusion. Ask them to reflect on the significance of their design—what message of inclusion or celebration do their socks represent?
• Now, have them create a rough draft concrete poem about down syndrome starting with about 10 lines. Once the poem is written, have them lightly write the poem around their socks in pencil in their neatest printing. The goal is to stretch the poem all the way around the sock template at least once. If the poem is longer, they just keep going around. Once the poem is completed in pencil and students are satisfied with the length and spacing, they can go over their poem using a thin, fine point sharpie to make it stand out.
• Students will read their poems and share their sock designs with the class before hanging them on a bulletin board or wall display titled, “Celebrating Differences”.
• Conclude the lesson by discussing the following questions:
  • Why do you think it’s important to celebrate differences, like wearing mismatched socks for Down Syndrome?
  • What do you think parenting a child with Down Syndrome might be like?
  • How can you be an ally or advocate for individuals with Down Syndrome in your school or community?

Attachments

• All About Down Syndrome Video Questions (PDF)
• Down Syndrome Facts Sheet (PDF)
• MYTH or FACT Statements for Stations (PDF)
• MYTH of FACT Student Answer Sheet (PDF)\
• SOCK Template (PDF)
• Down Syndrome Concrete Poem Instructions (PDF)