WOUB Passion Works: A Story of Flying

Intermediate: Grades 4-5

Before Viewing Discussion Questions:

Do you enjoy creating artwork or art projects?
How do you know that a person is an artist?
What does the word freedom mean to you?
Do you expect to have more freedom when you are an adult than you have now?
What do you think it is like to live in a body that is not physically free? — Abody that cannot run across an open field, climb a tree, dodge a ball comingstraight for your face, or even tell a friend all about the really great newvideo that you saw over the weekend?
What does it feel like when, no matter how hard you have worked, you stillhave trouble learning something that everyone else already seems to know?

Say: You may have been wondering what the questions I’ve been askinghave to do with each other. The video we will be watching in a few minutes willhelp to explain. It’s about art and freedom and what it is like to be adisabled adult. It’s called PassionWorks: A Story of Flying.

After Viewing Discussion Questions:

Nancy wanted to visit Belgium, the home of her ancestors, Bill wished tosee the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, and Harry used the descriptive words, “flamingo-likevibrancy.” Did these things surprise you when you heard them? What didsurprise you as you were watching Passion Works: A Story of Flying?
How did you feel about the disabled people when you first saw them in thevideo?
How did you feel about the disabled people you saw after you finished watchingthe DVD?
How do you feel when you create art?
What are your opinions about the art created at Passion Works Studio?
What are your dreams, hopes, and wishes for when you are an adult?
What dreams, hopes, and wishes of the artists in the DVD are like your own?
Does freedom mean the same thing to you as it does to the disabled artistsin the DVD?
Do you think being teased or bullied makes a disable person feel the sameway it makes you feel?
What rights and freedoms should disabled people have?

Middle School: Grades 6-8

Before Viewing Discussion Questions:

Do you enjoy creating artwork or art projects?
What does it mean to be an artist?
What does freedom mean?
Do you expect to have more freedom when you are in your twenties than youhave now?
What do you think it is like to live in a body that is not physically free? — Abody that is unable to follow your mind’s wishes and desires?
What does it feel like when you have trouble learning something that everyoneelse already seems to know?

Say: You may have been wondering what the questions I’ve been askinghave to do with one another. The video we will be watching in a few minutes mayhelp to explain. It’s an award-winning documentary about art and freedomand what it is like to be a disabled adult. It’s called Passion Works:A Story of Flying.

After Viewing Discussion Questions:

What surprised you as you were watching Passion Works: A Story of Flying?
How where your perceptions about the disabled changed as you viewed the DVD?
What are the similarities and difference between your dreams, hopes, andwishes for the future and those of the Passion Works Studio artists?
What are the similarities and differences between your rights and freedomsand those of the disabled?
What criteria would you select to evaluate the art created by Passion WorksStudio?
David Barba, Passion Works Studio manager said, “How can we allow peopleto be successful [financially] and not be punished for their success? If youare a poor person and you start to have success, you can lose your Medicaid andyou can lose benefits that might be helping you pay for the rent in your home.”

What is your reaction to Mr. Barba’s statements?
Why do you think the documentary maker chose to include the statements inthe video?
Who pays for Medicaid and the other benefits that the disabled receive?
How could you prove the accuracy of Mr. Barba’s statements?

What responsibilities should U.S. citizens have concerning our fellow citizenswho are disabled?
In what ways are you inspired after watching Passion Works: A Story ofFlying?”

High School: Grades 9-12

Before Viewing Discussion Questions:

What does it mean to be an artist?
Can a physically challenged person become an artist? What about a mentallychallenged person?
Are your answers to the previous question influenced by any personal biases/prejudices?
What do you expect your life to be like ten years from today?
What do you expect life to be like ten years from today for a mentally challengedperson who is confined to a wheelchair?
What freedoms and rights should a person with a disability have?

Say: The video you about to view is called Passion Works: A Story of Flying.It is an award-winning documentary about art and freedom and what life is likefor one group of disabled adults in Athens Ohio.

After Viewing Discussion Questions:

What surprised you as you were watching Passion Works: A Story of Flying?
Compare your dreams, hopes, and wishes for the future with those of the PassionWorks Studio artists.
What criteria would you select to evaluate the art created by Passion WorksStudio?
How did the professional artists benefit from their collaboration with thedisabled?
What responsibilities do U.S. citizens have concerning our fellow citizenswho are disabled?
David Barba, Passion Works Studio manager said, “How can we allow peopleto be successful [financially] and not be punished for their success? If youare a poor person and you start to have success, you can lose your Medicaid andyou can lose benefits that might be helping you pay for the rent in your home.”

Why did the documentary maker chose to include such information in the video?
What would be the economic impact on taxpayers if the poor disabled wereallowed to keep their benefits until they were totally able to pay for theirneeds (food, shelter, clothing, health care, etc.) without outside help?

What are the legal rights of the disabled?
In what ways are you inspired after watching Passion Works: A Story ofFlying?”



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Links· Activities ·Teachers Resource Guide
Before Viewing and After Viewing Discussion Questions Intermediate Middle School High School Intermediate: Grades 4-5 Before Viewing Discussion Questions: Do you enjoy creating artwork or art projects? How do you know that a person is an artist? What does the word freedom mean to you? Do you expect to have more freedom when you are an adult than you have now? What do you think it is like to live in a body that is not physically free? — Abody that cannot run across an open field, climb a tree, dodge a ball comingstraight for your face, or even tell a friend all about the really great newvideo that you saw over the weekend? What does it feel like when, no matter how hard you have worked, you stillhave trouble learning something that everyone else already seems to know? Say: You may have been wondering what the questions I’ve been askinghave to do with each other. The video we will be watching in a few minutes willhelp to explain. It’s about art and freedom and what it is like to be adisabled adult. It’s called PassionWorks: A Story of Flying. After Viewing Discussion Questions: Nancy wanted to visit Belgium, the home of her ancestors, Bill wished tosee the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, and Harry used the descriptive words, “flamingo-likevibrancy.” Did these things surprise you when you heard them? What didsurprise you as you were watching Passion Works: A Story of Flying? How did you feel about the disabled people when you first saw them in thevideo? How did you feel about the disabled people you saw after you finished watchingthe DVD? How do you feel when you create art? What are your opinions about the art created at Passion Works Studio? What are your dreams, hopes, and wishes for when you are an adult? What dreams, hopes, and wishes of the artists in the DVD are like your own? Does freedom mean the same thing to you as it does to the disabled artistsin the DVD? Do you think being teased or bullied makes a disable person feel the sameway it makes you feel? What rights and freedoms should disabled people have? Middle School: Grades 6-8 Before Viewing Discussion Questions: Do you enjoy creating artwork or art projects? What does it mean to be an artist? What does freedom mean? Do you expect to have more freedom when you are in your twenties than youhave now? What do you think it is like to live in a body that is not physically free? — Abody that is unable to follow your mind’s wishes and desires? What does it feel like when you have trouble learning something that everyoneelse already seems to know? Say: You may have been wondering what the questions I’ve been askinghave to do with one another. The video we will be watching in a few minutes mayhelp to explain. It’s an award-winning documentary about art and freedomand what it is like to be a disabled adult. It’s called Passion Works:A Story of Flying. After Viewing Discussion Questions: What surprised you as you were watching Passion Works: A Story of Flying? How where your perceptions about the disabled changed as you viewed the DVD? What are the similarities and difference between your dreams, hopes, andwishes for the future and those of the Passion Works Studio artists? What are the similarities and differences between your rights and freedomsand those of the disabled? What criteria would you select to evaluate the art created by Passion WorksStudio? David Barba, Passion Works Studio manager said, “How can we allow peopleto be successful [financially] and not be punished for their success? If youare a poor person and you start to have success, you can lose your Medicaid andyou can lose benefits that might be helping you pay for the rent in your home.” What is your reaction to Mr. Barba’s statements? Why do you think the documentary maker chose to include the statements inthe video? Who pays for Medicaid and the other benefits that the disabled receive? How could you prove the accuracy of Mr. Barba’s statements? What responsibilities should U.S. citizens have concerning our fellow citizenswho are disabled? In what ways are you inspired after watching Passion Works: A Story ofFlying?” High School: Grades 9-12 Before Viewing Discussion Questions: What does it mean to be an artist? Can a physically challenged person become an artist? What about a mentallychallenged person? Are your answers to the previous question influenced by any personal biases/prejudices? What do you expect your life to be like ten years from today? What do you expect life to be like ten years from today for a mentally challengedperson who is confined to a wheelchair? What freedoms and rights should a person with a disability have? Say: The video you about to view is called Passion Works: A Story of Flying.It is an award-winning documentary about art and freedom and what life is likefor one group of disabled adults in Athens Ohio. After Viewing Discussion Questions: What surprised you as you were watching Passion Works: A Story of Flying? Compare your dreams, hopes, and wishes for the future with those of the PassionWorks Studio artists. What criteria would you select to evaluate the art created by Passion WorksStudio? How did the professional artists benefit from their collaboration with thedisabled? What responsibilities do U.S. citizens have concerning our fellow citizenswho are disabled? David Barba, Passion Works Studio manager said, “How can we allow peopleto be successful [financially] and not be punished for their success? If youare a poor person and you start to have success, you can lose your Medicaid andyou can lose benefits that might be helping you pay for the rent in your home.” Why did the documentary maker chose to include such information in the video? What would be the economic impact on taxpayers if the poor disabled wereallowed to keep their benefits until they were totally able to pay for theirneeds (food, shelter, clothing, health care, etc.) without outside help? What are the legal rights of the disabled? In what ways are you inspired after watching Passion Works: A Story ofFlying?”