Article
Chris Cone/Novus Select
Paired Texts,

The Magical World of Isaac/ A Very Special Olympics

How compassion changes the lives of people with disabilities

By Lauren Tarshis
From the October/November 2019 Issue

Learning Objective: Students will identify a main idea about empathy and acceptance as they read about a young boy with Down syndrome and the Special Olympics World Games.

Lexiles: 500L-600L, 600L-700L
Guided Reading Level: M
DRA Level: 24
Featured Skill: Main Idea and Supporting Details,
Common Core Standards
  • R.1, R.2, R.3, R.6, R.9, W.1, W.3, W.4, SL.1, SL.2, L.2
TEKS Standards
  • TEKS Grades 2-3:
    1c, 1d, 3a, 3b, 6a, 6c, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 7b, 7g, 9d, 11, 12a

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Think and Read: Main Idea

As you read these articles, think about the big idea they share about people with disabilities.

The Magical World of Isaac 

The story of a remarkable boy and the school where he thrives

By Lauren Tarshis

While standing on the blacktop at New Richmond Elementary School, I noticed something strange. The kids at this Ohio school were playing soccer, but none were aiming to score a goal. They were just trying to kick the ball to one player: 10-year-old Isaac Friedman. That was the game. Get the ball to Isaac so he could kick it. Kicking the ball made Isaac happy.

Isaac has Down syndrome (DS). This condition affects just about every part of his body and his life. DS is not an illness. Nobody can “catch” it from someone who has it. People with his condition are born with it. Because he has DS, Isaac learns slowly. Like many people with DS, he doesn’t have strong muscles. Sometimes he has problems digesting his food.

While standing outside at New Richmond Elementary School in Ohio, I noticed something strange. The kids were playing soccer, but none wanted to score a goal. They were just trying to kick the ball to one player: 10-year-old Isaac Friedman. That was the game. Get the ball to Isaac so he could kick it. Kicking the ball made Isaac happy.

Isaac has Down syndrome (DS). This condition affects about every part of his body and his life. DS is not an illness. Nobody can “catch” it from someone who has it. People with his condition are born with it. Because he has DS, Isaac learns slowly. Like many people with DS, he doesn’t have strong muscles. Sometimes he has problems digesting his food.

A Different Time

Chris Cone/Novus Select

Isaac with his dad

Decades ago, life for kids like Isaac was often bleak. Many died from their health problems. Schools often didn’t accept kids with DS because even experts believed they couldn’t learn.

Beginning in the 1970s, attitudes about DS began to change. It turned out that those “experts” had been wrong. Many kids with DS have great learning potential. They just need the right kind of education.

Isaac’s parents and his grandmother G.J. (short for Grandma Judy) have been on a mission since the day Isaac was born. They want to make sure that Isaac learns as much as he can. They want him to get the love and support he needs to succeed.

Decades ago, life for kids like Isaac was often hard. Many died from their health problems. Schools often didn’t accept kids with DS. Experts believed they couldn’t learn. 

Beginning in the 1970s, opinions about DS began to change. It turned out that those “experts” had been wrong. Many kids with DS can learn a lot. They just need the right kind of education. 

Isaac’s parents and his grandmother G.J. (short for Grandma Judy) are on a mission. They want to make sure that Isaac learns as much as he can. They want him to get the love and help he needs to succeed.

Casting a Spell

I was invited to Isaac’s school by G.J. At the time she was a fifth-grade teacher there. She wrote to tell me that something important was happening.

So I flew to Ohio and spent the day in Isaac’s world. I saw up close what it takes for Isaac to learn new skills. And I witnessed how this little guy with oval glasses and a huge smile could cast a spell on an entire school.

Learning took time for Isaac. In kindergarten, it took him almost the entire year to learn to hold a pencil correctly. He needed a lot of help and encouragement from his teachers. Isaac worked with extreme focus and determination. This paid off. He was a better reader than many third-graders.

I was invited to Isaac’s school by G.J. She was a fifth-grade teacher there. She wrote to tell me that something important was happening. 

I flew to Ohio and spent the day with Isaac. I saw what it takes for Isaac to learn new skills. And saw how this little guy with oval glasses and a huge smile could charm an entire school. 

Learning took time for Isaac. In kindergarten, it took him almost the whole year to learn to hold a pencil correctly. He needed a lot of help from his teachers. Isaac worked hard. His hard work showed. He was a better reader than many third-graders.

Isaac’s Magic

What struck me most about Isaac was the feeling I got when I was with him. His expression was always warm and accepting. In the hallways, he held my hand. Being with him gave me a calm and peaceful feeling.

As Isaac moved through his day, kids swarmed around him. They high-fived him in the halls. They hugged him. They held his hand on the playground.

This, I realized, is what made the school so special. Hundreds of kids and teachers worked together to help one boy thrive. And he was able to share his magic with them. 

What surprised me most about Isaac was the feeling I got when I was with him. In the hallways, he held my hand. Being with him made me feel calm. 

As Isaac moved through his day, kids swarmed around him. They high-fived him in the halls. They hugged him. They held his hand on the playground. 

This, I realized, is what made the school so special. Hundreds of kids and teachers worked together to help Isaac succeed. And he was able to share his magic with them.  

A Very Special Olympics 

This sports competition is thrilling fans and changing minds

By Allison Friedman

Wally Fong/AP Images

President John F. Kennedy's sister Eunice and a Special Olympics athlete

The Special Olympics World Games is a competition for athletes who have an intellectual disability, such as Down syndrome. It’s one of the biggest sporting events in the world.

It was started 51 years ago by Eunice [YOO-niss] Kennedy Shriver. She was one of President John F. Kennedy’s sisters. Their oldest sister, Rosemary, had an intellectual disability. Some people didn’t think people like Rosemary mattered. Shriver wanted to help change that.

As the athletes accepted their medals at the first World Games, the crowd roared. The athletes were filled with pride. Today, people from 174 countries compete. More than a million volunteers help run the program.

By dazzling fans with their strength, talent, and bravery, Special Olympics athletes have shown the world what people with intellectual disabilities can do. And this may be their most important victory. 

The Special Olympics World Games is a competition for athletes who have an intellectual disability, such as Down syndrome. It’s one of the biggest sporting events in the world. 

It was started 51 years ago by Eunice [YOO-niss] Kennedy Shriver. She was one of President John F. Kennedy’s sisters. Their oldest sister, Rosemary, had an intellectual disability. Some people didn’t think people like Rosemary mattered. Shriver wanted to help change that.

As the athletes got their medals at the first World Games, the crowd cheered. The athletes were proud. Today, people from 174 countries compete. More than a million volunteers help run the program. 

By wowing fans with their strength, talent, and bravery, Special Olympics athletes have shown the world what people with intellectual disabilities can do. And this may be their most important victory.

ENTER OUR CONTEST

Everyone has a story about fitting in or being kind to someone who needs a friend. What’s yours?

In a one-page essay, describe a time when you felt different from everyone or were an especially good friend to someone who needed one. Include details about the situation, the people involved, and how you felt. Send it to “One of a KIND Contest” by December 16. Five winners will each receive a set of books by beloved author Gordon Korman, including Restart and Slacker. Winners will also be featured on our website! See our Contest Page for details.

ENTER OUR CONTEST

Everyone has a story about fitting in or being kind to someone who needs a friend. What’s yours?

In a one-page essay, describe a time when you felt different from everyone or were an especially good friend to someone who needed one. Include details about the situation, the people involved, and how you felt. Send it to “One of a KIND Contest” by December 16. Five winners will each receive a set of books by beloved author Gordon Korman, including Restart and Slacker. Winners will also be featured on our website! See our Contest Page for details.

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Activities (7)
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Skills Activities
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Answer Key (1)
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Can't-Miss Teaching Extras
Watch This

Join Lauren Tarshis on her 2012 visit to Isaac’s school in this 5.5-minute video. (There’s no sound for the first 35 seconds.) You’ll see pictures of Isaac and G.J. (Grandma Judy) too! 

Watch This

Here’s a 6-minute clip from the 2018 Special Olympics: the 100M freestyle event followed by a lovely interview with the jubilant 18-year-old winner. (For short attention spans, you can watch the first 2 minutes, then jump to the interview at the 4:15 mark.)

Watch This

Show your students Special Olympics founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver celebrating the Olympians during the 1987 games in this 3.5-minute video. (It might be worth pointing out that her unique way of speaking is due to her thick Boston accent!)  

Check It Out

The National Down Syndrome Society celebrates each fall with a series of Buddy Walks across the country. The walks are designed to promote acceptance and inclusion. This interactive map tells you where to find your closest Buddy Walk.

More About the Article

Content-Area Connections

Social-emotional learning: Relationship skills (teamwork); social awareness (empathy, appreciating diversity, respect for others)

Science: Health

Social studies: History

Key Skills

Main idea, cause and effect, key details, drawing conclusions, making inferences, compare and contrast

Step-by-Step Lesson Plan
Download the Lesson Plan

1. PREPARING TO READ

Explore Text Features/ Set a Purpose for Reading (10 minutes)

  • Direct students to the labels on page 10 that say “Paired Texts” and “One topic, two stories.” Ask them to read aloud the titles and subtitles on pages 10 and 13. Then ask students to suggest what the topic of both stories might be. (how we can help people with disabilities live full and rewarding lives)
  • Point to the photo on pages 10 and 11. Ask students to describe what Isaac and his friends are doing in the picture. Ask them to predict what they might learn about Isaac and his classmates.
  • Then direct students to the photos and caption on page 12. Discuss what kids on a sports team do to help one another. What does the “I team” stand for? Who are the people on Isaac’s team?
  • Read aloud the subhead “Casting a Spell” on page 12 with the class. Explain that “casting a spell” means you putting someone in your power as if by magic. Ask students to look as they read for the ways that Isaac casts a spell over the people who know and love him.
  • Point to the photographs and caption on page 13. Ask students to identify President Kennedy and his sister Eunice. What is she doing in the photograph? How might the athlete feel at this moment?
  • Call on volunteers to read aloud the Think and Read box on page 10 and the Enter Our Contest! box on page 13. As students read each article, remind them to look for the big idea about people with disabilities. (And please encourage your students to participate in the contest!)

Introduce Vocabulary (15 minutes)

  • We have highlighted in bold six terms that may be challenging and defined them on the page. Preview these words by projecting or distributing our Vocabulary Skill Builder and completing it as a class. You may also play our Vocabulary Slideshow, where images and audio help students with comprehension and fluency.
  • Highlighted terms: bleak, potential, mission, swarmed, thrive, intellectual disability

2. CLOSE READING

Reading and Unpacking the Text

  • First read:  Students should read each article one time for general comprehension.
  • Second read: Distribute the Close-Reading and Critical-Thinking Questions to the class. Preview them together. Ask students to read the articles again and answer the questions as a class or in small groups. (These questions are now available in Google Forms on our site, so students can type in their answers and send them to you.)

Close-Reading Questions (30 minutes)

  • Read the first section of “The Magical World of Isaac.” How does Down syndrome affect Isaac’s life? (cause and effect) Isaac learns slowly and doesn’t have strong muscles. Sometimes he has problems digesting his food.
  • Read “A Different Time.” Why does the author say that a long time ago kids like Isaac often had bleak lives? (key details) Many kids with DS died because of their health problems. Schools wouldn't accept them because people thought they couldn’t learn.
  • Why did attitudes about DS change in the 1970s? (main idea) People realized that kids with DS had potential and could succeed in school with the right kind of education.
  • Read the caption under the photo on page 12.  Why do Isaac’s family call themselves the “I Team”? (drawing conclusions) Isaac's family works together to make sure Isaac can have the best life possible.
  • Read “Casting a Spell.” Why does the author say that Isaac “could cast a spell on an entire school”? (making inferences) Isaac’s big smile and outgoing personality have charmed everyone in his school. They respect his hard work and determination to succeed.
  • Read “A Very Special Olympics.” Why did Eunice Kennedy Shriver start the Special Olympics? (cause and effect) She wanted to help change the disrespectful way many thought about people with intellectual disabilities, such as her older sister.
  • Why are the Special Olympics so important? (main idea) By bringing together athletes with intellectual disabilities from all over the world, the Special Olympics shows how much people with this condition can accomplish.

Critical-Thinking Question (10 minutes)

  • How are the main ideas in the stories the same? How are they different? (compare and contrast) The main idea of both articles is that our love and support can help people with intellectual disabilities. In the first story, the big idea is that the people in one boy’s life work together so he can achieve his full potential. In the second, the big idea is that one woman started a sports program to help athletes with intellectual disabilities compete and succeed.

3. SKILL BUILDING

Putting Ideas Together

  • Distribute our Main Idea Skill Builder. Have students work in pairs to complete it.
  • Discuss the writing assignment in the Enter Our Contest! box on page 13. Remind students to include a sentence about the big idea of their essay. Have students complete their essays in class or as homework.

Differentiate and Customize
For Second-Graders

Reread the second paragraph in column 2 on page 12 with the group (beginning “As Isaac moved …”). Help students identify the subject and verb in each sentence. Which subjects are nouns? Pronouns? Then have students read aloud each action verb and pantomime it for the class.  

For Struggling Readers

Read the lower-Lexile version of the articles aloud. If students could be on Isaac’s “I Team,” what would they do to help? If they could meet the Special Olympics athlete in the photo on page 13, what is one question they would ask him?

For Small Groups

Have students take turns reading sections or paragraphs in each article aloud. Discuss what they have learned from these texts about working together to change the lives of people with intellectual disabilities.

For Advanced Readers

Ask students to write a paragraph from the point of view of a kid in Isaac’s school or a volunteer who helps run the Special Olympics. What has Isaac taught them? How has working for the Special Olympics changed their lives?

Text-to-Speech