The exercises are part of a new effort in the nation’s largest school district to teach teenagers how to relate to older Americans. The youngsters are watching videos of their elders doing yoga, hanging out with them and learning how to talk to them without using the old-age labels baby boomers hate. (Goodbye, “senior.” Hello, “older adult.”)
The curriculum is being tested at 13 New York City public high schools for the first time this spring semester, including at The School for Human Rights in Brooklyn, where O’Mealley teaches.
Teen Imani Stanback said the lessons have made her more patient with her grandma, who recently activated closed captioning on her TV but couldn’t figure out how to turn it off.