Deaf History Month
April is National Deaf History Month, a great time to explore the history of the deaf and hard-of-hearing community, experience the beauty of American Sign Language, and examine the many contributions of deaf and hard of hearing artists, activists, scientists, and more. Check out this Homeschool Living for some great ways to incorporate lessons for Deaf History Month into your homeschool.
Hearing Impaired Communication Tips
This article from DeafChildren.org shares how celebrating the contributions and achievements of those in the deaf and hard-of-hearing community can impact the future of children growing up with hearing loss. You can also check out fascinating facts about deaf history and culture, communication tips, and other important resources.
These communication tips for talking to someone with hearing loss are great to have handy in your knowledge bank, whether you’re communicating with friends or family in a social situation or clients or acquaintances in a business or public setting.
These communication tips for talking to someone with hearing loss are great to have handy in your knowledge bank, whether you’re communicating with friends or family in a social situation or clients or acquaintances in a business or public setting.
American Sign Language
This American Sign Language unit study features a wealth of information, including signing activities, information on and lessons in sign writing, a mini study on Helen Keller, activities to explore the deaf community, information on incorporating sign language into babies’ communication, and resources for learning some basic American Sign Language.
If you’re interested in learning American Sign Language (ASL) in your homeschool, ASL Kids is a great place to start, offering tips for learning sign language and free instructional videos. It’s important to remember that ASL is not simply a series of signs serving as symbols for English words, but its own living, vibrant, visual language. As such, it has its own grammar, structure, style, vocabulary, and even slang!
Dr. Bill Vicars, an ASL professor at California State University, offers a plethora of free ASL resources on his website Lifeprint.com. Self study lessons and videos and an extensive video library are available for free.
Speaking Through Deaf Worship
The YouTube channel Sign Language Worship is a fantastic way to experience and learn the impact of American Sign Language as a visual language. You’ll find hundreds of video tutorials for signing popular worship songs and even Christmas carols.
Hearing Challenges & Determination That Impacted Our World
This article featuring thirteen deaf people who changed the world–a fascinating array of artists, musicians, writers, politicians, activists, scientists, inventors, and educators–provides a great starting point for students to explore the background, life, and achievements of someone who inspires them.
Megan Mora Fuentes
Enjoy this article?
For more insightful and encouraging homeschool related articles, homeschool living tips, and homeschool connections, please visit our HEAV blog. Click here!
