The Arc Maryland Personal Space Program Curriculum Guide | Page 29

Orientation
Objectives

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To give participants information about the course
To help participants get to know each other
To help participants embrace the idea of difference

Materials
and
Preparation

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Name tags
Flip chart
Markers
Large pieces of butcher paper on the wall at eye
level for each person
Head and Shoulders Activity Questions
“Be Yourself” Discussion Sheet
Strong Women Pictures
Listening Room Sign
Mission Statement
Personal SPACE class outline
“Outsider” and “Class Member” necklaces
“Quiet” graphic
Strong women bulletin board
Participant binders
Refreshments

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Opening

Begin by warmly greeting each arriving class member,
helping them to get name tags, and directing them to
chairs organized in a circle or semi-circle.
Trainers will each introduce themselves. Trainer will
ask each participant to introduce themselves and state
what they have been told about the purpose of the
Personal SPACE Program. As participants state their
understandings of the program’s purpose, a trainer
records the responses using the flip chart.
Explain that the Mission of the Personal SPACE
Program as: “We are here to learn how to be strong
women and how to protect ourselves.” As trainer says
mission statement, flex arm in a muscle (“...to learn
how to be strong women…”) and put a hand in front as
if to stop someone (“… and how to protect ourselves).

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