K-12 Deaf and Hard of Hearing Units and Resources

Primary (Pre-K - Grade 3)

 Experiencing Hearing Disability through Music Hands on exercises, music appreciation and language arts lessons to introduce the concept of deafness and disability to primary students.

Growing Up Without Hearing Introduce children to four deaf children who lead very different lives.

Junior (Grade 4-Grade 6)

 Disability Awareness A disability awareness exercise for physical education classes - can be adapted for use with other classes.

Helen Keller Learning about overcoming barriers through the life of Helen Keller

The Ear and Hearing An Info-to-go resource about how the ear works for 3-4th graders

The Ear and Hearing An Info-to-go guide to how the ear works written at 5th-6th grade level

How Deaf People Communicate an Info guide from Gallaudet University for middle school learners

Dragonfly Marooned An interactive online adventure that engages students in learning about hearing and communication. An excellent springboard for other Deafness Awareness activities

Intermediate (Grade 7-Grade 9)

 Sound and Fury A lesson plan for hearing students about deafness

Senior (Grade 10-Grade 12)

 9 Lessons About Sound The physics of sound production. Refers to a text, but experiments stand alone as well.

The Science of Sound Science and social studies meet in a unit that teaches students about sound and deafness through a reflective essay

Deaf President Now In 1988, the Board of Trustees at Gallaudet University - the world’s only university for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing - appointed a hearing president, and sparked a protest that brought the deaf world together. Students explore the history, issues and concepts of empowerment through a study of the Deaf President Now protest at Gallaudet University.

General Resources

 Deaf Leaders and other famous deaf Canadians

Handspeak Excellent resource for visual communication and signing

Deaf Awareness Exercise For children of any age - learning what it’s like to be deaf

History Through Deaf Eyes Teacher resources meant to be used in conjunction with a visit to the exhibit, History Through Deaf Eyes, but valuable as a standalone lesson plan as well

World Around You Gallaudet University’s magazine for deaf and hard of hearing children. Many articles about deaf people of note and news about deaf culture. An excellent resource for lessons during Deaf Awareness Week

Reading to Deaf Children If you have hearing impaired children in your class, the 15 principles of reading aloud to deaf children is a must

Poems About Being Deaf Share these poems to bring a little more understanding of the deaf world to your hearing classroom