Talking to Fontbonne Students

Most of the time, I share Sophie’s Tales with kids, so it was very exciting when Dr. Barger, a professor at Fontbonne University, wanted to share the book with her class of graduate students. The course was all about using literature in the general education classroom. Some people might think that our book is only for kids with hearing loss, but that is definitely not true! Mel spoke to these future teachers about including books about disabilities in their clasrooms. The girls loved the idea and agreed it was very important.

Then, they had a request! They wanted Mel to read the book aloud- just like she would for a class of kids! Mel felt a little bit silly reading to grownups like that, but everyone had fun and laughed together. They talked about questions to ask kids as they read, such as about how different characters were feeling or what they would do if they met someone with hearing loss. Then the students gave their own ideas about how they might incorporate the book in their future classrooms. Some said they would read it during a school’s Diversity Week. Others said they would do a Reader’s Theater activity like the one in the back of the book.

It turned out to be just as fun reading with older students as it is with younger ones!