Drawing from recent research, this paper attempts to refute some of the commonly held assumptions about the inevitable decline of intellect as part of the aging process and point to ways educators can expand educational opportunities for older adults. After exploring some of the myths and stereotypes about senile, disoriented, helpless, rigid,…

Discusses a short course using commercial films that explores popular views of the elderly. Explains the primary goal of the course as enhancing student ability to critically examine the images of older people presented in the mass media. Includes discussions of articles, films, and written assignments. (DK)

Discusses what schools can do to counteract negative stereotypes about aging. Describes intergenerational programs that can sensitize youth to the realities of older adults. (SK)

Psychological and physical segregation are not conditions intrinsic to the aging process--they are created and propagated by society's response to it. Eradication or reduction of older adults' role loss, collective stereotyped treatment, and physical separation require the awareness and application of gerontological concepts in public library…

Students can learn about the elderly by surveying themselves about their knowledge and attitudes; interviewing elderly people; analyzing cartoons depicting the elderly in our society; investigating volunteer opportunities for people over 65; working in nursing homes; and finding out about associations of elderly people. (AV)

Children's books and learning activities are suggested to sensitize elementary students to aging and the elderly. (SJL)

Suggests reasons and methods for learning about the elderly. Nine information-gathering activities for children are described, including tombstone reading, interviews of older persons, book reports, and attitude analysis. (Author/DB)

Provides a model for the evaluation of children's books in which old people are characters that can also serve as a lesson aid for students. Lists 33 books for children that involve the elderly. (SRT)

Describes a five-week unit dealing with ageism, especially in children's books. (DD)

Intended to accompany a series of six 15-minute color videocassette programs, this teacher's guide contains suggestions for teaching high school students to achieve the series goals, which are to: (1) acquire accurate information about the elderly and the aging process by debunking myths that currently surround this biological, psychological, and…

Schools have a role to play in educating young people about aging and the elderly. Education also has an obligation to the aged. Educators have an obligation to themselves to tap a vast resource stockpile that lies waiting. (BRR)

In an effort to alter the attitudes of ninth-grade students in a social studies class, a unit on aging was developed and evaluated. Information is presented on various aspects of the unit, including lesson plans, audiovisual aids, pre- and posttest scores of experimental and control groups, and attitude changes as a result of participating in the…

Describes a class in human development where students took on roles of the elderly by simulating physical constraints and aging. Depicts their reactions to the conditions and behaviors of the elderly. Allows students to examine their personal conceptions of the elderly. Finds study fostered empathy with senior adults. (Author/NL)

This instructional module on stereotypes of aging is one in a block of 10 modules designed to provide the human services worker who works with older adults with basic information regarding the aging process. An introduction provides an overview of the module content. A listing of general objectives follows. Three sections present informative…

A study measured the effect of reading materials containing positive depictions of aging and the elderly on the attitudes of primary grade children toward aging and elderly adults. Subjects, 91 students from grades one to three enrolled in a Jacksonville, Florida public school, read stories selected from "aging/elderly positive"…