Signs of fun and learning

Suzie Harrison

Students stared intently at Kay West’s hands as she explained what

they were going to do in class that day.

West, a teacher at Westmont Elementary School, works with children

who are deaf and hard of hearing.

Each child has their own personal hearing aid that is hooked into

a system that connects her microphone into their ears to eliminates

interference.

“It’s a total communication program that works on oral speech,

sign language and listening skills that keeps our children pretty

much on grade level,” said West.

“What can we do today?” West signed and asked her class.

“I want to play on the computer and read books,” 7-year-old Scott

Chavers, chimed in.

Music was a favorite among their lessons. The children enjoyed

singing -- especially repeating the words about the cat saying meow

all day long, and making other animal noises like bahhhhh and oink.

They listened to a record and looked at a book with coordinating

pictures and words going along with each song.

Signing the different actions of the characters, like a bunny

hopping and other animal movements, put huge smiles on the students’

faces.

Going over vocabulary words was great fun as they learned the

signs that went with animals and their respective noises. They went

thorough a book and discerned the possible actions of the characters.

“Let’s see if you remember all of these words,” West said to the

class.

They worked from their work books and colored the pictures that

went along with the stories.

The kids went from activity to activity with their full attention

focused not only on their teacher but the fun they were having

learning.

“Because it’s a small group they become good friends,” she said.

The kids would try and prompt each other or give the answers to

help each other.

All the kids at the school are exposed to sign language so the

student body can communicate to one another.