Introduction
3-4th grade class
Have you ever wandered what it might be like to be blind? What if you were deaf? What if you were blind and deaf? Today, we will take an adventure through research and learn about a woman who was both blind and deaf, yet she traveled and spoke all across the world! Let's get started!
Task
We are going to take this class period to learn and answer some questions about Helen Keller's backround, what she accomplished in life, and how she handled her tough situation.
Process
Click on the link to watch the video then answer the questions below:
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Hellen+Keller&&view=detail&mid=94D…
What was she doing with her fingers in the beginning of the video?
How did Helen communicate with her friends?
How long has Helen Keller been deaf and blind?
How does she seem to handle her situation?
Click on the link to watch the video then answer the questions below:
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=helen+keller&qpvt=helen+keller&vie…
Helen was the first blind/deaf person to do what?
Name 3 successes Helen had during her growing years.
What was Helen's first book, and when did she write it?
Click on the link and find the answers to the following questions:
http://www.afb.org/info/about-us/helen-keller/biography-and-chronology/…
When did Helen lose her vision and hearing? Why?
How old was Helen when she finally began to learn words?
Who was Helen's teacher?
In what way was Helen similar to her teacher?
What college did Helen attend? Did she graduate?
Name a few things that Helen Keller did throughout her life (Hint: did she travel? Where to? What did she write? Where did she work?)
In what year did Helen pass away?
Get with a partner and take turns writing this sentence with your eyes closed.
Molly drank her milk and ate her bread happily as she watched the ducks swimming in the pond.
Now, you and your partner will take turns tracing out words into each other's palms. Do not tell each other what you are spelling until you've guessed a couple times. Both of you should trace a word atleast 3 times. Pick simple words (3-6 letters).
Discuss with your partner the following questions and write the answers on your paper:
How did you feel not being able to see what you were writing?
Was it difficult for you to write without seeing?
How do you think Helen felt having to deal with this her whole life?
Was it easy for you to figure out the word being spelled into your hand?
Describe how you felt trying to figure out the word your partner traced into your hand.
Once you have finished, come to me and I will give you the next instructions.
On your own, write 8-10 sentences about anything in your life. You must keep your eyes closed during this activity. I will walk around the room to check up on you.
Evaluation
GRADING SHEET:
I will grade you based on participation, thoroughness, and completion. There is a total of 52 points available to this assignment.
PARTICIPATION: 12 points
THOROUGHNESS: 20 points
COMPLETION: 20 points
*you can lose points by not participating with your partner, or by wasting your time during the research process. If you give short, inconcise answers to deeper questions then you will lose points. If you do not complete the assignment entirely, you will lose points.
Conclusion
Today, we have learned about a very important woman of history. We have learned how she made an impact on the world. We have discussed and viewed shortly what it is like to live as a blind person. Take this time to finish up your 8-10 sentences of blind writing, and be sure you turn it in to me when finished.