Tag Archives: centenarians

2024 Vol 6: Integrating Aging Education in the PK-12 Curriculum: Combating Ageism through the Classroom

Age Ain’t Nothing But a Number

Monique Hall, 4th Grade, Devonshire Elementary School

Curriculum Unit (PDF)

Click on the arrow to read the Synopsis.

Synopsis: In this unit, young scholars will explore the lives of centenarians who are people who have lived 100 years or more, and the concept of aging. Teaching about ageism is important for several reasons. By introducing elementary students to centenarians, it fosters respect for older generations, raises awareness about longevity of life, and sparks interest in history and culture. It also highlights the importance of diversity and individuality, promotes meaningful intergenerational connections, and encourages students to reflect on their own values and perspectives on aging. 

This unit aligns with the North Carolina mathematical standards and the lessons will be used in conjunction with CMS curriculum. 

This curriculum will be taught adjacent to the 100th day of school. This will be a school wide- initiative. 

2024 Vol 6: Integrating Aging Education in the PK-12 Curriculum: Combating Ageism through the Classroom

PSA: Aging Isn’t Bad, But Ageism Is!

Elizabeth Cochrane, Multilingual Learners, East Mecklenburg High School

Curriculum Unit (PDF)

Click on the arrow to read the Synopsis.

Synopsis: In this unit, students develop their reading, writing, and speaking skills while exploring their beliefs about older adults. Students discover that many of their beliefs are oversimplified stereotypes that can lead to ageism or the unfair treatment of a person solely due to their age. Students study ageism and its effects on society, but more importantly, they adopt more positive beliefs and attitudes towards older adults and aging through exploring diverse cultures’ perspectives and reading nonfiction texts about centenarians that have positively impacted society. Students will widen the impact of their study by creating public service announcements to be shared with the school community about ageism and its effects and how others can play a part in shifting the narrative about aging and older adults.