Our World Down Syndrome Day Classroom Kit program has reached more than 120,000 students in more than 3,500 classrooms across the Minnesota and neighboring communities in Wisconsin, Iowa, and the Dakotas.
This FREE resource for teachers brings awareness about Down syndrome, celebrates human diversity and promotes inclusion and understanding. The kits teach students about Down syndrome, but more importantly, they include lessons on diversity, inclusion, kindness and acceptance. Each kit contains two books donated in a student's name to permanently keep in the classroom, as well as a packet of grade specific activities, lessons, and additional materials about Ds - as well as stickers, bracelets, and other fun ways to help kids celebrate World Down Syndrome Day.
This year’s kit has take a look at the science behind Down syndrome with two brand new books that focus on chromosomes, genetics and what makes every living thing unique. The book “The Secret Code Inside You” by Dr. Rajani LaRocca is a broad look at chromosomes and genes written in a way for even the youngest learners to understand. The book “What’s Inside You Is Inside Me, Too: My Chromosome Make Me Unique" by Denise Quinby and Dr. Jeannie Visootsak includes information about chromosomes in general as well as information specifically about Down syndrome and the genetics behind it.
The last day to order is February 29th. Kits are FREE to teachers in Minnesota and communities within 25 miles of Minnesota's border. The kits are designed for students Pre-k through 5th grade. Parents can order the kit for their children's classrooms or teachers can order the kit directly.
The Secret Code Inside You
The Secret Code Inside You by Dr. Rajani LaRocca is a broad look at chromosomes and genes written in a way for even the youngest learners to understand.
Why can't humans breathe underwater? What are some people tall and others short? Why do puppies grow into dogs, and babies grow into people?
This book explores all this and more in a flowing, rhyming text, explaining cells, DNA, and genetics in a way that is simple and easy for children to understand.
Colorful and brilliantly illustrated, The Secret Code Inside You demonstrates that while DNA may be the blueprint for how a person looks, what you choose to do with your body is entirely up to you!
What's Inside You Is Inside Me, Too
What's Inside You Is Inside Me, Too: My Chromosome Makes Me Unique by Deslie Quinby and Jeannie Visootsak, MD. Quinby is a mom and businesswoman who has a son with Down syndrome. Dr. Visootsak is a board-certified Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician and is the director of the Down Syndrome Clinic at Emory.
Every child, every person, every living thing is unique, in big part, due to chromosomes. Children with Down syndrome have an extra chromosome. This book explains Down syndrome in a fun illustrative way. In the process, it also explains chromosomes and their role in making people unique and includes lessons about inclusion and kindness.
This book is a great tool for families, educators, advocates and others curious about Down syndrome.