The Early Years

Adapted from Felicia Mode Alexander and Jack R. Gannon, Deaf Heritage: A Student Text and Workbook (1984): National Association of the Deaf, p. 3-4.


In 1816, there were no schools for the deaf in this country. Several people attempted to start schools, but all of the schools closed. There were too many problems. The first people to _____1_____ were Laurent Clerc and Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet. They opened their school in 1817, and the school did not close. It was named the Connecticut Asylum for the Education and Instruction of Deaf and Dumb Persons. It was the _____2_____ school for deaf children in America!

Clerc and Gallaudet did not know what would happen after they opened their school. They worked very hard. The school grew, and many more students enrolled. These _____3_____ students were from all over the country. People thought the school would be _____4_____ enough for all of the deaf children in America. The school is still open today, but the name was changed. Today it is called The American School for the Deaf. It is in West Hartford, Connecticut.

The first state supported school for the deaf was the Kentucky School in Danville. It opened in 1823 and has a rich history. One of the first teachers at the Kentucky School was John Jacobs. He was hired as a teacher of the deaf but did not know how to teach! He was also just 18 years of age at the time. Gallaudet suggested that the Kentucky School hire Jacobs because the _____5_____ man wanted to work with deaf people. John was hired and rode his horse all the way to Connecticut to learn from Gallaudet and Clerc. They taught him how to sign and how to teach deaf students. When he _____6_____ in Connecticut, John went back to Danville and worked for many years at the school for the deaf there.

After Clerc and Gallaudet established their school, many others were opened. Before Gallaudet's death in 1851, 15 other _____7_____ for deaf children and youth were established! Many of the teachers at those 15 schools used Gallaudet's teaching methods. Many had even studied with Gallaudet and were deaf themselves!


Choose the correct answer for each blank line.


1The first people to ________ were Laurent Clerc and Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet.
succeed
offer
begin
agree
try

2It was the _________ school for deaf children in America!
earliest
oral
free
worst
only

3These _________ students were from all over the country.
local
new
former
vacationing
foreign

4People thought the school would be _________ enough for all of the deaf children in America.
near
quiet
big
simple
old

5Gallaudet suggested that the Kentucky School hire Jacobs because the ________ man wanted to work with deaf people.
hearing
young
poor
little
experienced

6When John ________ in Connecticut, he went back to Danville and worked for many years at the school for the deaf there.
arrived
failed
stayed
finished
lived

7Before Gallaudet's death in 1851, 15 other ________ for the deaf children and youth were established!
programs
positions
events
activities
accounts

source:
http://depts.gallaudet.edu/englishworks/exercises/exreading/earlyyears.htm

reflection:
this activity was veri interesting. i dont have alot of things to say, so that´s all.