Disabilities Program:
-Hand out knotted gloves and some string. Some people wear the knotted gloves and cannot use some fingers, but they can talk. Some people have their hands tied behind their back, can't see, and can't talk. Some people can use only 1 hand without any gloves, but can't see. In these groups of 3, assemble anything. (This relates to physical disabilities, including being deaf and blind) -Hand out a short passage of your choice, it could be about anything. Then each person has to re-write it on a blank piece of paper. The catch is, they have to cross out every 4th word and then re-write it, drop their pencil, snap with both hands, and then continue. (This relates to Tourette's) -Organize a mini-relay race in which there are 2 teams, and they have to get from a starting point to the end of the room without using legs. (This relates to polio) -After these activities, regroup as a whole and have a discussion. Some questions include: "Who has experiences with people with any disability?" "Does anyone have any experiences that they would like to share?" etc. Come up with questions that relate to each specific disability, and that spark conversation about the lives of the disabled. Have everyone give a personal answer to at least 1 of the questions. -Assign some people to have some sort of disability (can't talk, can't see, have one leg, have one arm, have no legs, have no arms, etc.) Hold a relay race. After the relay race, lead a discussion that's geared towards the point/ will lead to the point that people with disabilities are no different in society than those people who don't have any disabilities; they just have a harder time with carrying out basic, general, everyday tasks as un-disabled people. Cancer Programs:
Have someone who was affected by cancer, whether it is a family member, survivor, friend, or anyone you might know come in and talk. Have them share their story in detail, highlighting all the ups and downs, breakthrough moments, and anything else that would be important to know. Give everyone a card that has a name of a disease on it (AIDS, Cancer, etc.) and some fake Monopoly money. Explain that everyone has a "trait" and they can buy a better trait off of someone else in the group but they don't know what the card with the trait says until they "buy" it with the fake money. After everyone has bought a trait, tell them to look at what the "trait" or disease is. It'll show that money can't always buy you happiness. Social Action Ideas!
-Holocaust education -Write letters to soldiers -Impotance of women's roles -Teach songs/cheers |
Tampon Relay Race
**This program won "Program of the Year" in 2008!!** Supplies: -Tampons -2 Cups per team -Water; add red food coloring dye to the water to make the program more real (but more gross at the same time) if you want! Start reading out loud to the girls:Being girls, we have been “graced” by Mother Nature with a monthly present-our menstrual cycle. One risk of your period is toxic shock syndrome. You’ve all heard about it and how dangerous it can be, but what exactly is it? (About Toxic Shock Syndrome) There are two types of this condition. The first, toxic shock syndrome, is caused by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria and has been associated with the use of tampons. (TSS was initially linked to a particular type of tampon, which has since been taken off the market.) Although the exact connection is still not clear, researchers suspect that certain types of high-absorbency tampons provided a moist, warm home where the bacteria could thrive. TSS can affect anyone who has any type of staph infection, including pneumonia, abscess, skin or wound infection, a blood infection called septicemia, or a bone infection called osteomyelitis. (Symptoms of Toxic Shock Syndrome) Toxic shock syndrome from staphylococcus starts suddenly with vomiting, high fever (temperature at least 102° Fahrenheit [38.8° Celsius]), a rapid drop in blood pressure (with lightheadedness or fainting), watery diarrhea, headache, sore throat, and muscle aches. Within 24 hours, a sunburn-like rash appears. There also may be bloodshot eyes and an unusual redness under the eyelids or inside the mouth (and vagina in females). After that, broken blood vessels may appear on the skin. Other symptoms may include: confusion or other mental changes; decreased urination; fatigue and weakness; thirst; weak and rapid pulse; pale, cool, moist skin; and rapid breathing.(Prevention) The bacteria that cause toxic shock syndrome can be carried on unwashed hands and prompt an infection anywhere on the body. So hand washing is extremely important. Girls can reduce their risk of TSS by either avoiding tampons or alternating them with sanitary napkins. Girls who use only tampons should choose ones with the lowest absorbency that will handle menstrual flow and change the tampons frequently. Between menstrual periods, store tampons away from heat and moisture (where bacteria can grow) — for example, in a bedroom rather than in a bathroom closet.(stop reading): The next part of the program must be done outside. What you will now do is break the girls up into teams. For now, use teams of 2, but in the future you can break it up into more teams. Have the teams line up at the same starting point. Fill 2 of the 4 cups with water and place each cup in front of each team. Take the other 2 empty cups and place them a distance away. Give the first person of each team a tampon. Tell them not to open it just yet. Read: What we must do next, is make sure that our team does not get toxic shock syndrome. What you must do is dip the tampon in the cup of water in front of you, run to the other side and squeeze the water out into the empty cup. Run back and pass the tampon to the next girl, who will do the same thing. After 5 minutes, call time. The team with the most water squeezed will win. Proceed to start. |