Alabama's Rural Elderly Enhancement Program is a nurse-initiated project developed on a model of community participation and empowerment. The program's initial goal was to maintain the health and independence of the elderly; it was expanded to an intergenerational focus with an involvement with youth. Most of their target population is African…

Fourteen students received training and visited homebound elderly 8 times; 10 students in an aging seminar visited elderly twice. Compared to a control group of 20, visitation groups were significantly more positive toward the elderly and in their views of their own aging. (SK)

Describes how to plan and implement intergenerational programs that benefit both students and senior citizens. Seniors can be invited to discuss their hobbies or careers, provide firsthand accounts of historical events in social-studies classes, and work with students on biography or gardening projects. Senior volunteers can also serve as…

A study was conducted of juvenile offenders serving as volunteers working with frail elderly (some with dementia). Both generations experienced personal benefits from participation. Key characteristics promoting social inclusion were trusting partnerships, inclusive practices, and champions, project supporters who served as a bridge between the…

The Intergenerational Exchanges Attitude Scale was tested by a sample of 36 adult day-care and 300 child-care administrators (227 responses). Both groups had positive attitudes toward the interaction of children and older adults. Reliability and validity of the instrument appeared viable. (SK)

Argues the importance of slowing down in order to be curious and explore the particular stories and poetry in things. Offers examples of how the elderly can guide readers toward a vision of education as an open debate of different stories. Recommends Robert Pinsky's "Favorite Poem Project" website as a celebration of stories and poetry…

A proposed intergenerational learning community is a model for a charter school focused on literacy, artistic studies, technology, environment, and personal wellness. Instructional design includes nongraded, multiage, heterogeneous groupings with flexible looping to support individualized learning. Mentoring and apprenticeships will be featured.…

Discusses the elements of a curriculum that emphasizes interpersonal communication skills and intergenerational diversity training to prepare business education students for the challenges they will face as managers and professionals. (JOW)

Describes intergenerational programs, usually in cities, that bring older adults into the schools and afterschool programs. These programs show senior citizens the many good qualities of children today and demonstrate for children that older adults still have much to contribute. (SLD)

A study of older adult volunteers mentoring primary and secondary students used a framework for intergenerational exchange based on life span development, citizenship, social exclusion, and synergy. Older mentors achieved significant psychological and social gains, and both age groups enjoyed working together for their mutual benefit. (SK)

Discusses the use of literature clusters (8 to 12 children's books on a particular topic) to enhance learning and instruction. Concludes that the process of developing a literature cluster on intergenerational relationships will result in a cluster that expresses both the participants' experiences and their understanding of the intended audience.…

Older volunteers are helping urban students in developing the confidence and skills to succeed. Older adults, with their life experience and strong commitment to social service, can make a special contribution in underfunded and understaffed urban schools.

This paper discusses the implementation of an intergenerational service-learning (IS-L) project with a mentorship component for graduate students at Western Michigan University's Gerontology Program. Two classes of students, one graduate and one undergraduate, taking introductory gerontology courses were brought together to complete IS-L projects…

Describes the Generations Together program, an intergenerational service-learning experience for undergraduate students and how the three generations - the young child, the college student, and the older adult - impact on each other. Presents the benefits to the participants, insights regarding children and their families, and students'…

Meeting the diverse needs of young people who are coping with such problems as delinquent behaviors or poor academic performance is an urgent issue today. This paper aims to demonstrate the benefits of introducing intergenerational mentoring activities into educational programs for supporting "at risk" adolescents by highlighting some innovative…