The Senses: Hearing and Sight

Vincent McEnerney              Peck Elementary
                               3826 W. 58th Street
                               Chicago IL 60629
                               312-535-2450

Objectives: 

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. 

Materials Needed: 

1. One "Hearing Experience and one" Blind Experience" sheet will be given to the 
   class. 
               
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. 

Activities: 

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! 

Evaluation: 

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.