Problem: It is extremely difficult to find age appropriate reading materials for multi-handicapped hearing-impaired older adolescent students. These students are beginner/emergent readers and read on a Pre-K to 2nd grade level. The books that are available to them on their reading level are not age appropriate and students are often stigmatized by having to read these “juvenile” books. The students want to read. However, the books that are age appropriate far exceed their reading capabilities.
Solution: Pride in Literacy is an on-going project developed by teachers of multi-handicapped hearing impaired students to develop high-interest, age appropriate reading materials specifically geared to student interests and student activities. Teachers work together to brainstorm ideas and topics for books. We learn how to use the software and equipment that will help us create books specifically geared to our students, with the help of our technology specialist. Each teacher creates books that can be shared with other teachers. Slowly, books are being added to this specialized “library” and students are able to read books in which they are featured, with controlled vocabulary.
I regularly take pictures of my students engaged in a variety of learning activities such as: participating in fire safety and prevention programs, working on science projects, opening savings and checking accounts at a local bank, playing sports, and participating in school clubs like the Color Guard. Pictures are then grouped and sequenced into a “theme”. This is the initial stage of the book process. The students help sequence the pictures and I ask for their input when we begin writing the story. Because they have difficulty writing I ask them to describe each picture and then paraphrase what they say. Some books are text only and some are symbol based. The Mayer-Johnson Writing With symbols 2000 software program is used to place picture symbols above the text for those students who need the picture cues.
I use Microsoft Publisher 2000 Deluxe to create most of the books. If a 35mm camera is used the photos are scanned into the computer. I’ve also used a digital camera and these pictures can readily be inserted into the program. Once the pictures are inserted and the text is typed the pages are printed in color on card stock paper. Each page is laminated to ensure durability and then cut and bound. Please see the attached file for sample books.
Impact: The students’ reactions to their books have been very positive. They love seeing themselves in “print” and have great success reading the stories independently. They have a sense of pride in being able to read books just like other students. Reading becomes a pleasurable experience instead of a frustrating chore. They can also share these books with their families. This has an added bonus for our hearing impaired students because as they are reading/signing the stories to their parents and siblings they are often teaching family members new signs. It also gives parents a glimpse into some of the activities their children are engaged in during the week. This has been a very positive experience for everyone involved.
Contact Information: I can be reached at if someone would like to contact me for more information.