We read a small part of Temple Grandin’s book Animals Make Us Human. The excerpt describes “stereotypes” – repeated, compulsive behavior – that are typical of caged animals. These behaviors are completely different from the way animals behave in their natural habitat. Some students agreed with Grandin that more humane treatment can be developed for some animals in zoos. We may make a trip to the Bronx zoo or at least send a delegation of students.
I wanted to do more about Temple Grandin as a connection to the next unit we will do: Keeping Dreams Alive and Overcoming Obstacles. I admire Grandin very deeply because she has been able to find a way to live a remarkably productive life with autism. I love her books. HBO’s bio of Grandin airs this weekend and we are arranging to tape it to show some excerpts in the future.
Tags: animals, autism, Bronx zoo, efl, esl, esol, ideas, teaching, tefl, Temple Grandin, tesl, tesol