Millman, I., (2000) Moses Goes to School. New York: Frances Foster Books. Moses Goes to School is part of a three book series about Moses, a boy who goes to a special public school for the deaf. All of Moses’ classmates are also deaf, and we follow them throughout their school day. In the story readers get a glimpse into the life of students who attend an all-deaf school.
I absolutely love this book for many reasons. The first reason is because of the Authors Note. In this note we learn a bit about the similarities and differences between children who can hear, and those who cannot. We also have a symbols key that will help us follow along with the sign language that happens throughout the book. That brings me to the second reason I love this book, the sign language. On almost every page, there are pictures of Moses showing readers how to say something in sign language. In the middle of the book readers can also learn how to sign the song “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.”
I think this is a great book because it shines a positive and happy light on a disability. Everyone in this special school is so very happy to be there, and they all love school. I think that seeing students who are deaf communicating with one another, as well as other people is a very important thing for kids to see. Just because someone is different or has a disability does not mean that they cannot communicate. This book may even inspire someone to learn sign language!
In the classroom: This book can be used in the classroom to introduce the topic of deafness, and how it affects a child’s life. It can also be used to discuss similarities and differences between various types of schools. Before reading this text, I would go through some basic signs that we will see throughout the text and have the kids participate in singing at different points of the book. After the read aloud you could also teach the “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” song. This will not only get students engaged in the book, but will also allow them to see the communication lifestyle of a hearing impaired student. Fiction. AE.