Program helps teach
students tolerance
BY MATT AUERBACH
Staff Writer
MIGUEL JUAREZ staff Students learn how to sign the number two at last Wednesday’s “Tolerating Deafness” assembly at the Campbell School, Metuchen.
METUCHEN — The students at Campbell School learned some important lessons about tolerance last week.
Through a program presented and performed by the educational group, Music In Motion on Nov. 26, the kids learned to develop tolerance and respect for those who are deaf. They were also taught to communicate many words in sign language.
The morning assembly was presented to first- through fourth-graders. Music In Motion members Tiffani Cooley and Dena Toney began the show by dancing and signing to popular musical artist Mya’s hit song "Take Me There." That was followed by a short question-and-answer segment during which the students were asked if they knew how, and if, deaf people spoke, danced and ordered in a restaurant.
At this point, the students were taught to sign words such as cheeseburger, french fries, ketchup and soda.
The biggest laugh of the day came when the kids were taught to sign "I have to go to the bathroom."
Cooley and Toney (with help from Jennifer Jackson, a third Music In Motion member) then launched into a "Charlie’s Angels" take-off that told the story of a detective searching for the whereabouts and contents of a heart-shaped box.
They signed to pre-recorded dialogue and songs by Elvis Presley ("Hound Dog" and "Heartbreak Hotel"), KC and the Sunshine Band ("Boogie Shoes"), Steppenwolf ("Born To Be Wild") and Aretha Franklin ("Respect").
The assembly concluded with the students learning to sign the word respect and the numbers one through 12, which helps with telling time. Then, a few more questions from the audience were taken.
After the presentation, Cooley, who also acts as the assistant coordinator of Music In Motion, explained why she and her colleagues are committed to the mission their organization is trying to accomplish.
"More and more deaf kids are being mainstreamed in so-called regular schools," she said. "Getting our message across to students at this age might mean that they will work with the deaf later on."
Campbell School Principal Robert Gulliera agreed. "The kids are so receptive," he said. "With programs like this, they learn more than our comprehensive curriculum. It falls in line with our other special assemblies, like our antibullying program and Native American workshop. They’re entertained and educated."
Fourth-grade teacher Meghan Jeney appreciated the message of the performance.
"It shows the kids that all people are not alike," she said. "That’s not a bad thing."
Elaine Peterson, a parent of a third-grader who attended the performance, came to the same conclusion.
"The show was all about commonality," she said. The kids learn that despite differences, people are basically the same inside with the same needs."
The last word on Music In Motion’s morning at Campbell School belongs to third-grader Kathryn Hohman.
"I liked it," she said. "I liked the songs and the dancing and how they explained deafness. I learned lots of different signs and I think I could communicate a little bit with a deaf person.
"I learned that it’s all about respect," she added.
For Music in Motion, it was a mission accomplished.