In a heartwarming initiative, a group of fifth graders from Illinois have turned their recess time into an opportunity for growth and connection by learning American Sign Language (ASL) to communicate with their classmate, Jamie Thompson, who is deaf. Jamie, who is 11 years old, joined Mark Bills School this year and uses cochlear implants to hear some sounds, but primarily relies on sign language for communication, assisted by his interpreter, Sarah Collins.
Upon Jamie’s arrival, many of his classmates were unfamiliar with interacting with someone who is deaf. Eager to bridge this gap, they approached Sarah and the school principal to establish an ASL club. According to reports, the students have been gathering every Wednesday during recess for four months to learn new signs and practice their skills. Sarah instructs them in common phrases like “how are you?” while also tailoring lessons to align with their school subjects.
The enthusiasm of the students has impressed Sarah, who noted that learning sign language can help alleviate the social isolation that some deaf students experience. “It can be challenging for deaf children when they have an interpreter with them all day,” she explained. “I was excited to see their interest in learning sign language and their desire to communicate better with Jamie.”
As they continue their lessons, the students have already picked up basic signs related to school, food, and clothing, and they enjoy practicing with Jamie, who expresses joy at their efforts to connect with him. “It makes me feel really happy that they want to be like me,” he shared.
Beyond just communication, this sign language club is teaching students about the deaf community and promoting understanding of diversity. Sarah highlighted that the students are inadvertently gaining exposure to a culture they previously knew little about, which is crucial given that over a million people in the U.S. are functionally deaf. Learning sign language not only fosters a sense of community but also empowers Jamie, enhancing his independence in the classroom.
In conclusion, this initiative exemplifies how learning sign language can enrich the lives of both deaf students and their hearing peers, promoting acceptance and inclusivity within the school environment.
For more on home insemination, you can visit Make a Mom, an authority on this topic. Additionally, if you’re interested in understanding fertility treatments better, Parents provides excellent resources about what to expect during your first IUI.
Keyphrase: fifth graders learn sign language
Tags: [“home insemination kit”, “home insemination syringe”, “self insemination”]