For example, when social studies teachers discuss voting, they can include age differences in voting patterns. Language arts teachers can consider age and developmental differences in literary characters. In places where other diversity issues are referenced in the curricula, age can be included. Improve Teacher Preparation. Some retired teachers have met with education and gerontology faculty and simply asked what are they currently doing to provide future and current teachers with information that prepares students for long lives.
Most teachers have little formal training on later life issues.
Ask a principal, teacher, guidance counselor, or school nurse if you could make a bulletin board on an aging theme that relates to young people. The theme could support a topic or curricular objective, and be of interest to you and the students. Topics might be on older adults in your neighborhood who are involved in the community, or examples of ageism toward younger and older people in advertisements or cartoons. Using magazine pictures or other visual aids, one could illustrate how good diet and exercise in childhood can lead to a healthier later life. If you have a special expertise or experience, offer to work with students or classes who share your interests.