LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Read about the experience of a teen who survived a brain tumor; identify challenges and benefits involved in speaking up for yourself in health-related situations; distinguish facts from myths about brain tumors.

HEALTH ED STANDARDS

NHES 8: Demonstrate the ability to advocate for personal health.

CASEL: Self-management; relationship skills

KEY VOCAB

tremors

paralysis

occupational therapy

infiltrating

Lesson Plan: My Life With a Brain Tumor

Can you imagine life with a mass growing inside your skull? Maria Ruiz, 17, lived through that experience. Here’s what she learned.

PREPARING TO READ

Before you read the article “My Life With . . . a Brain Tumor” ask your students the following pre-reading question:

Why is it both challenging and beneficial to speak up for yourself in health-related situations?

READING AND DISCUSSION

  • Have your students read the article “My Life With . . . a Brain Tumor” independently; read the article out loud to them; or have students partner-read the article out loud.
  • After they’ve read the article, revisit the pre-reading question. Have their answers changed?

BUILDING COMPREHENSION AND VOCAB

Check students’ comprehension of and engagement with the story with the following assessment tools:

  • Comprehension Quiz
  • Vocab Builder

EXPANDING SEL OPPORTUNITIES

Continue the learning journey with the following writing prompt:

In this activity, have students write a half- to one-page LETTER TO MARIA. They should start by explaining that they enjoyed reading “My Life With... a Brain Tumor” in this month’s Scholastic Choices magazine. From there, they should thank Maria for sharing her story—and tell her what they learned from her about advocating for their own health. Note: Forward your class’s responses to [email protected], and the Choices editorial team will make sure that Maria receives them!

Print the Lesson Plan

Text-to-Speech