ASL worksheet · Deaf history
Deaf President Now
Read about the week in 1988 when Gallaudet University students won a Deaf president, then answer the questions.
- Grade level
- Grades 3–5
- Time
- About 20 minutes
- Topic
- Deaf history
- Answer key
- Yes, page 2 of the PDF
- Kids practice
- Reading informational text, Answering questions with details from a text, Putting events in time order, Learning about Deaf leaders
What kids do
Printed on the sheet:
- Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., is a university for deaf and hard of hearing students.
- In its first 124 years, it never had a Deaf president.
- In March 1988, the university’s board chose a new president. Two of the three finalists were deaf, but the board picked the hearing finalist, who did not know sign language. Students believed a university for deaf students should have a Deaf leader.
- Students closed the campus and marched to the U.S. Capitol. They made four demands, including a Deaf president and more deaf people on the board. Teachers, workers and people across the country joined them. The protest was called Deaf President Now.
- After a week, the students won. On March 13, 1988, I. King Jordan was named the first Deaf president of Gallaudet University. He said, “Deaf people can do anything hearing people can do, except hear.”
- What is Gallaudet University?
- Why were the students upset?
- What was the protest called?
Teacher tip
Talk about how the students made change: peaceful protest, clear demands and support from many people. Ask kids what changes they would ask for at school.
How to use it
- Read each passage twice: once for the story and once to find answers.
- Underline the answer in the passage before writing it.
- Make every handshape with your own hand as kids work. Your hand is the best model in the room.
Watch for
Mixing up Gallaudet the man and Gallaudet the university. One is named after the other.
Talk about it
- Why did deaf children need a school of their own in 1817?
- How is your hand different from the picture? What would you change?
Take it further
Research another Deaf leader, artist or athlete and share one fact.
US Letter, prints well in black and white. Free for home and classroom use: print as many copies as you need.
More deaf history worksheets
Grades 3–5
Meet Laurent Clerc
Read about the Deaf teacher who helped start the first permanent school for the deaf in America, then answer the questions.
Grades 3–5
Meet Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet and Alice Cogswell
Read about a hearing minister, a Deaf girl named Alice and the school they helped start, then answer the questions.
Grades 3–5
Martha’s Vineyard: An Island That Signed
Read about an island where deaf and hearing people both signed, then answer the questions.
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