March is the perfect time to bring Deaf history to life with one of the most powerful civil rights movements in the Deaf community: Deaf President Now. In March 1988, students at Gallaudet University organized a historic protest that resulted in the appointment of I. King Jordan as the university’s first Deaf president.
The movement is more than a historical event; it’s an opportunity to teach advocacy, identity, and Deaf cultural pride while strengthening ASL proficiency. Why are we not doing it in our classrooms?
Here’s how to incorporate Deaf President Now into your classroom in five easy, student-centered steps that keep you in the target language while learning about the cultural event.
Start with images from the 1988 protest, like students holding signs, gathered on campus, or addressing the media.
Without giving background information first, ask:
Picture Talks build inference skills and keep the lesson input-rich. Students stay engaged because they’re solving a mystery before you “tell” the story.
Once curiosity is high, present a short, focused mini-lesson.
Keep it simple:
Use visuals, dates (March 6–13, 1988), and a clear sequence. Avoid overwhelming students with too many details at once. The goal is comprehension, not memorization. Introduce new vocabulary along the way through mime, images, or realia.
Next, show short interview clips or documentary segments about the movement. Use the play and pause method to discuss key events, vocabulary, and structures. Video shorts are key to student engagement.
During the viewing play and pause, guide students with structured discussion prompts or circling questions:
Encourage students to summarize in ASL, identify cultural values (community, self-advocacy, language pride), and make connections to other civil rights movements.
This moves students from understanding facts to analyzing impact.
Active processing strengthens retention.
Post around the room:
Students rotate in groups, summarizing and discussing each station in ASL. Add a reflection question at each stop to deepen thinking.
Assign roles:
Students reenact moments from the movement using persuasive ASL. This strengthens expressive skills while reinforcing historical understanding. You can use Freeze Frame as an activity here to open up discussion.
Close the unit with purposeful reflection.
Options:
Assessment should measure:
✔ Understanding of key events
✔ Cultural significance
✔ Clear ASL communication
Teaching Deaf President Now this way:
When students learn about Deaf President Now, they don’t just learn what happened — they see how collective action can create real change.
And that’s a lesson that extends far beyond the classroom. It educates our students, who in turn can educate others.
Don’t have time to create your own Deaf President Now resources? No problem, we have you covered. Head over to the store and download this FREE bulletin board set to get students into the mindset and ready to learn. Get your day-by-day, mapped-out lesson plans with ready-made activities here. And supplement with this HyperDoc that adds independent learning or a sub day lesson plan to your curriculum.
If you want this blog post ideas in an easy-to-read guide, get on the email list and get it sent directly to your inbox. This step-by-step guide will help you create an amazing lesson for Deaf President Now!
If you have questions, let’s talk in the Creative ASL Teaching Facebook group. Join the conversation in our Facebook group.
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