In a heartwarming initiative, a group of fifth graders in Illinois has decided to use their recess time to learn sign language, all to communicate better with their deaf classmate. While recess is typically a cherished break for kids, these students recognized that building a connection with their friend was far more important.
Meet Noah Smith, an 11-year-old who has been deaf since birth. This year, Noah began attending Lincoln Elementary School in Peoria, Illinois. Although he has Cochlear implants that help him hear some sounds, he mainly relies on sign language for communication and has a dedicated interpreter, Sarah Johnson, accompanying him throughout the school day.
When Noah started at Lincoln, most of his classmates had little to no experience interacting with a deaf individual. Wanting to bridge that gap, they approached Sarah and the school principal to propose the creation of an American Sign Language (ASL) club.
According to local news reports, the group has been meeting with Sarah every Wednesday during recess for the past four months to learn new signs relevant to Noah’s life. They practice common phrases like “how are you?” and tailor their lessons to align with their classroom studies. Sarah is thrilled by the enthusiasm the students have shown.
“It can be really challenging for deaf students from a social and emotional perspective to have an interpreter with them all day. It can feel isolating,” Sarah explained. “Seeing these kids take the initiative to learn sign language is heartening.”
So far, the members of the club have picked up basic signs related to school, food, and clothing. They enjoy practicing with Noah, who expressed, “It makes me really happy that my friends want to connect with me this way. It’s like they want to be like me.”
The sign language club not only helps Noah’s classmates learn a valuable skill; it also opens their eyes to the deaf community, exposing them to a culture they may not have known about before. As Sarah noted, this experience is enriching the students’ understanding of diversity and broadening their perspective on the world.
With over a million people in the U.S. who are functionally deaf, it’s crucial for children to learn about the deaf community and how to interact with their peers. Learning sign language has strengthened the bond between these students, fostered acceptance and diversity, and empowered Noah with newfound independence at school. Honestly, that’s pretty much cooler than recess.
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Summary
Fifth graders at Lincoln Elementary School in Peoria, Illinois, have formed a sign language club to learn how to communicate with their deaf classmate, Noah Smith. Meeting during recess, they are learning valuable skills and gaining insight into the deaf community, fostering acceptance and diversity among their peers.
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