Motivate Me.

I had a hard time thinking of a way to discuss motivation the classroom and that probably stemmed from my lack of sleep and creativity but I finally chose to discuss motivating a deaf child in a hearing classroom.

The question of how to motivate students once you're in the classroom is a question every aspiring teacher has. Different students (visual learners, kids who need repetition) are all considered but then you get in your new classroom to see that, while you thought you'd considered it all, you have a deaf student. Now, yes the student will  have an interpreter and that interpreter will help you in facilitating communication but it's still your job to teach them and motivate them to learn.
These children are going to need a lot of motivation and support because they will be dealing with lots of feelings such as being different, maybe feeling like they don't understand and maybe even the feeling that they're incapable of understanding. Some early steps to take are to motivate your other students to learn sign. Maybe give your class sign names (you can discuss this with your interpreter). Try and have the deaf student help in coming up with sign names so that they feel connected to the classroom. One idea that I discussed in a class this semester is, using the ASL alphabet, spell out everyone's name and put it on their desks. By including the deaf child and helping them make connections to their fellow students you have already started the process of making them more comfortable and leading to them to be motivated to be active and participate in classroom discussions. Also the other children will most likely be motivated to learn sign and BAM! you've taught them a new language! The last thing you want for the deaf student is for them to feel unmotivated or disconnected because the second they stop paying attention to you and their interpreter - they're gone. These children are the definition of visual learners and it helps to have lots of visual learning exercises.
In my experience with deaf adults they've discussed feelings of disconnect in their classes if they were mainstreamed (fancy word for going to a hearing school). My friends have talked about kids making fun of them, being uncomfortable around them or just ignoring them. Their interpreters were their best friend and their education suffered because of this. This is the last thing you want. So in educating your class on Deaf culture you are only helping your deaf student's feelings of self-worth and helping them get excited to learn with their class.
I remember when I was in elementary school we would go to library all the time to learn about different cultures. However; Deaf culture was never discussed. What a better way to motivate and include your deaf student then to take your class to the library during National Deaf History Month (March 13th-April 15th)? If the student is having a hard time getting motivated to read it might be easier by having them read about their culture. Librarians have an allotted amount of money every year to buy books talking with them about buying books about Deaf culture or with deaf characters is a great way to motivate the child to read. Not only will all of this help your student learn it will also enrich the rest of the students' knowledge about Deaf culture and ASL.
Motivating these students will only lead to wonderful outcomes. Not only are you educating them and making them excited about school you're building their self-eestem and making them more comfortable in a hearing world. That is something they will always be grateful for.


http://blogs.loc.gov/teachers/2013/03/national-deaf-history-month-exploring-deaf-culture-with-library-of-congress-primary-sources/

http://www.youtube.com/user/coda8810?feature=watch **an awesome YouTube channel that illustrates the differences between Deaf and hearing culture. It's all funny but incredibly true!