Teaser: "But everything is still so new, and so different, for all of us. Most of the time we are lost, drifting along on our own planets. But we are together in the same universe, at least." (Bell 33).

Author: Cece Bell

Illustrator: David Lasky

Publication Date: September 2014

Genre: Fiction

Approximate Interest Level: 3-12

Approximate Text Level: Grade 4

Guided Reading: Q

Lexile Measure: GN420L

Teaching Idea: I would use Rate Your Word Knowledge. Their experiences with the specific language being used is crucial to their comprehension of the text. It will be useful for the students to create a chart like the Rate Your Word Knowledge Form. This can give me a better understanding on their vocabulary and expand on their definition.

Teaser: "Oliver tried to play with the other children, but he couldn't always hear what they were saying to him. So Oliver would just be by himself." (Riski, Klakow).

Author: Maureen Cassidy Riski, Nikolas Klakow

Illustrator: Polygone, Nicolas Babey

Publication Date: 2001

Genre: Fiction

Approximate Interest Level: Elementary School

Approximate Text Level: Upper Elementary

Teaching Idea: I will read this book to my entire class. I will ask the students if they have any similar stories about getting assistive technology for their deafness or if this relates to their life and why. Then I will ask the students bring photos from home and create a short story about their experiences with getting these devices (just like Oliver, the main character).

Teaser: "Do you know who you will vote for? Sure, I do. I will vote for politicians who captioned their campaign ads!" (Daigle 14).

Author: Kay Daigle

Illustrator: Matt Daigle

Publication Date: 2014

Genre: Humor Comic

Approximate Interest Level: High School

Approximate Text Level: Middle School

Teaching Idea: Every week, I will provide portions of this book (or specific comics) and ask my class how they relate to this comic. 

Teaser: "I stamp my foot to get my sister's attention, or wave at her across the room" (Peterson).

Author: Jeanne Whitehouse Peterson

Illustrator: Deborah Ray

Publication Date: April 1, 1977

Genre: Fiction

Approximate Interest Level: Pre-K-2

Approximate Text Level: 

Grade: Pre-K-2 (ages 4-7)

Guided Reading: J

Lexile Measure: 520L

DRA: 16

Teaching Idea: After reading this novel, I want my students to come up with some reasons that their hearing loss does not define them. They will create a poster board on their abilities.

Teaser: Interested in the early creation of sign language? Imagine being deaf with no technology to assist you and no form of sign language. You can only wonder how it might feel to be deaf in the 1800s.

Author: Emily Arnold McCully

Illustrator: Emily Arnold McCully

Publication Date: July 2008

Genre: Nonfiction

Approximate Interest Level: Elementary School

Approximate Text Level: Elementary School

Grade: Kindergarten-5

Lexile Measure: 620

Teaching Idea: I will have my students read this book and then create a graphic organizer on the most important parts of the story. Then I will have them look up more facts related to the start of American Sign Language. They will use this information to create their own mini book.

Teaser: "Mark will watch you as you speak. He will try to lip-read you. He really hears with his eyes." (Bloom 18).

Author: Freddy Bloom

Illustrator: Michael Charlton

Publication Date: 1977

Genre: Fiction

Approximate Interest Level: Elementary School

Approximate Text Level: Lower Elementary

Teaching Idea: I will have each of my students read this book in front of the class. Then they can provide examples of what else they could do if they were put in a situation like the main character.