The Senses: Hearing and Sight
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Vincent McEnerney Peck Elementary
3826 W. 58th Street
Chicago IL 60629
The student will understand the definition of a disability and how it affects
Americans who are hearing impaired or deaf and those Americans who are visually
impaired or totally or legally blind. Point out that 20% of Black Americans and
20% of U.S. Hispanics are disabled.
1. One "Hearing Experience and one" Blind Experience" sheet will be given to the
2. 3x5 cards will be issued to the class to record their findings.
3. One fact sheet about "Disability in America Today will enlighten the class.
4. A fact sheet on auditory and visual factors and their relationship to school
success will be distributed.
5. A fact sheet on common symptoms of visual handicaps will be shared by all.
1. Give eighth grade students a preview example of a Hearing Experience in which
one experiences a lack of complete hearing by wearing ear plugs while sitting in
the back seat of a car or while walking through their local Jewel Food Store.
Use partners as an example in the classroom who are to wear ear plugs for a
short period of time. Ask both students to write down their observations. Ask
the remainder of the students to write down their findings of what they observed
or thought the two sample students were experiencing.
2. Give students a preview example of a Blind Experience in which you (the
teacher) walked through your classroom blindfolded with the help of an aide to
prevent any problems or injuries. Have two or more students walk through your
room and to the hallway with a blindfold over their eyes. While the partners
are performing the experiment, ask the remainder of the class to write down
their observations and impressions. When the task is completed, the students
will write down on the board and on their 3x5 cards detailed observations and
insights. Discuss with each student their findings and real life experiences
that might relate to the exercise. Pass out sheets to everyone describing the
teacher's examples of what he experienced when he performed the exercise.
Compare the student and teacher responses!
The teacher will assess and evaluate whether the students: 1. located relevant
details of the experience by their comments and observation on their 3x5 cards;
2. recognized how the disabled (sightless or hearing impaired) adapt themselves
the daily challenges of life; 3. do the exercises give you a true feeling and
understanding for sightless or hearing impaired individuals who may have other
handicaps which could enhance his or her disability?
Since the students are placed within the realm of a real life experience
(either by participating and or observing) the assessment and evaluation gained
from feedback and the excitement level of the participants will give us an
immediate feeling of what we have accomplished.
Ask the question: Have your feelings, insights, and opinions changed since
you went through these experiences? Recommend that students try this exercise
with the aid of a parent at home. For the blind experience, use the stairs in
the home to emphasize the very difficult feeling and fear the process can
create! Have all the students write a three paragraph paper on their
experiences for homework.