Deaf History Month
Happy (almost) spring! It definitely feels like spring here in DC, and with that, comes Deaf History Month! I actually had never heard of Deaf History Month (March 13- April 15) until very recently, so wanted to write and spread the word as well as share some ideas and resources. You can read more about the origins of Deaf History Month here. It dates back to 1997, with other holidays and recognition before that.
I’ve included some books below, but sadly, there weren’t as many as I had hoped. Also, it is important to make sure we are showing students how there are a wide variety of people who are Deaf, deaf, or hard of hearing. Make sure you understand the difference in terminology before talking about it with students. I found this resource from the NAD (National Association of the Deaf) very helpful. Another great resource and significant institution to teach students about is Gallaudet University which is right here in Washington DC! Gallaudet is the only university in the world that is a signing community. Many students and staff members speak English as well, but everyone signs or learns American Sign Language (ASL).
I remember reading a chapter book as part of a series as a child and there was one character who was deaf. She was able to sign, but also lip read, and speak English, and the plan was for her to go to high school and lip read when teachers were speaking. However, her teachers often forgot that she needed to see their faces to lip read and kept turning around to write on the board so it wasn’t working out. Then, another student revealed that both of her parents were Deaf and she knew ASL, so she signed what the teachers were saying while they were talking, and everything was solved. While this is the only Deaf representation I remember from all of the reading I did in my childhood (which was a lot!), many of the details in this story are wildly inaccurate. This story also portrayed Deafness as something that you try to “fix” instead of delving into the complexity and richness of Deaf culture.
ASL interpretation (like all simultaneous interpretation) is hard, requires special training, and is tiring. In graduate school, one of my classmates was Deaf, and would have two ASL interpreters come to class with her. The two interpreters took turns as it was a 2 hour class and too long for someone to simultaneously interpret without a break. I loved watching the interpreters sign. So many things about ASL are intuitive and part of the way we communicate as human beings. For example, you use your face to show tone or if you are asking a question. Often, you conjugate by pointing. These examples are based on my limited understanding and exposure to ASL (I took an evening class in college, but it was only a basic introduction), so apologies if I’m not explaining it correctly or oversimplifying.
I find children also find basic ASL intuitive. We taught our baby some signs when he was very young and he used the sign for “more” and “all done” frequently until he started talking a lot. For more information on teaching babies ASL, see resources from Michigan State University here. I also use sign language in my elementary school classroom as a communication tool that can help with classroom management, collaboration, communication, and more. Sign language also is a great tool for literacy instruction with hearing students. I learned a little about this when I student taught in a first grade classroom, but wish I had explored it more!
In all of my years teaching, I have had one student who was deaf and used a cochlear implant. I learned so much being her teacher. She was a brilliant student with so many ideas and so much to share. Teaching her was also a valuable reminder about how minor accommodations can go a long way and help others. For example, we watched videos with subtitles on, but this benefited everyone so much that we continue to do so in my classroom to this day! It really helps with new vocabulary and spelling, among other things. As a hearing person, most of my interactions with the Deaf community have been with people who are deaf and use a hearing aid or cochlear implant. I try to make sure I’m not only sharing that one aspect and an ableist narrative with my students, but it is challenging as that is overwhelmingly the message reflected in the media as well.
The good news is that children often love learning about ASL as they find it intuitive and exciting. They are so often told to be quiet so being able to communicate silently is like a superpower! One way to introduce students to a snippet of Deaf culture is through ASL poetry. I would suggest starting with Clayton Valli, the renowned ASL poet (and linguistics scholar). He describes how ASL poetry is more visual and can be a more vibrant form of communication than simply speaking, as you have two hands instead of just one mouth. I’ve used ASL poetry as part of a storytelling unit and a poetry unit, but there are many other ways to incorporate it into your classes. Plus, it is beautiful to watch and will hold your students spellbound.
Newsela does not have a text set for Deaf History Month, but they do have a text set called “Exploring Deafness” which could be another great place to start.
Here are some books to share with students or read aloud for Deaf History Month:
Hands & Hearts by Donna Jo Napoli - picture book about a mom and daughter at the beach, includes words in ASL (American Sign Language) and instructions on how to sign them. I haven’t read it, but it’s on my list.
Dina the Deaf Dinosaur by Carole Addabbo is a picture book that is somewhat autobiographical. The author has been Deaf since birth and is an ASL teacher. Again, I am not familiar with this book myself, but it sounds promising.
Charlie & Frog by Karen Kane is a middle grade mystery and the first book in the series! It features two spirited young detectives, one of which happens to be Deaf. The mystery involves a message in American Sign Language and there is a school for the Deaf which sounds delightful and many other introductions to Deaf culture.
Feathers by Jacqueline Woodson is a middle grade novel with a signing character who is Deaf. I was thrilled to discover a new Jacqueline Woodson book and have already requested it from my library! It sounds like the character is written thoughtfully and sensitively and that Jacqueline Woodson did extensive research before writing this book (which is what I’d expect after reading many of her other books!).
El Deafo by Cece Bell is an amazing graphic memoir that will make you laugh out loud and a Newbery Honor book. It is impossible to keep it on the shelf in our classroom library and the themes of the book like starting a new school, being nervous about making new friends, and worrying about being different are highly relatable. Every time I recommend it to someone, it is a huge hit.
Hello Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly, winner of the 2018 Newbery Medal, is a beloved read aloud with so many great themes for our classroom and the end of 3rd grade. One of the main characters happens to be deaf. She uses a cochlear implant and in one part of her story describes the difficulties she has with communicating with others and what she needs to make sure she understands what someone is saying and how this impacts her socially. It’s just one aspect of her story and many of my students empathized with struggling to explain to friends or teachers exactly what you need.
Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick is two stories happening at once (fifty years apart) one in pictures and one in words. One of the main characters was born deaf in one ear. This is a long, big book so some younger middle grade readers find it intimidating at first and others love that they are reading such a long book, but either way, the dual stories and the illustrations pull them in.
Show Me a Sign by Ann Clare LeZotte is one I haven’t read yet, but hope to read soon! It’s historical fiction middle grade set in Martha’s Vineyard in the early 19th century. I have heard about the Deaf community in Martha’s Vineyard and would love to learn more! The author is Deaf and the story is based on true events.
Song for a Whale by Lynne Kelly is another one I haven’t read yet, but it looks like a very promising middle grade realistic fiction novel. The main character is the only deaf person at her school and feels overlooked often. She learns about a whale who cannot sing to others whales and decides to create a song for him.
This is Kind of an Epic Love Story by Kacen Callender is a young adult romance novel with queer, Deaf/Hard of Hearing, and brown representation and a cute, fun love story!
Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker is a graphic novel that could be late middle grade or early young adult, also with lots of representation (queer, non-binary, Chinese, and hearing aid). Definitely worth putting into the hands of some middle schoolers!
Please comment below if you have other books or resources you’d recommend. We’d love to add to our list!