This winter, children in Grades 2nd – 5th read about Laura Bridgeman in the book titled Child of the Silent Night by Edith Fisher Hunter. In this book we meet a seven year old who has lost her sight, hearing, taste and most of her sense of smell due to scarlet fever. Because she was so young when she had scarlet fever, she is also mute. As the children read this book two chapters at a time, we met to discuss what that would be like to have these types of disabilities. Children discover how important Laura’s sense of touch is to her. As we got further into the book, children are exposed to how Laura learns using raised type (she lived pre-braille!) and the sign language manual alphabet. They explore using the manual alphabet with their hands as well as on paper. Children are fascinated with Laura’s determination and unending desire to learn.
