Moses Goes to School

BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Millman, Isaac. 2000. Moses goes to school. Frances Foster Books: New York. ISBN 0374350698

PLOT SUMMARY:
Moses is a young boy who attends a special needs school for deaf elementary students in New York City. His school day from beginning to end is told in written English and in ASL (American Sign Language) using text and pictures. His day includes playing with friends, reading, writing and using the computer in class.


CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
One assignment in class is to write to their pen pals. The author notes how ASL is different from English in the translation from sign language to written English. The text includes Moses letter written in ASL “Dear Mark, I’m Moses and spot is my dog. I’m Happy. Because play with dog. I’m love dog…. and the translated copy of written English typed into a computer. “Dear Mark, I’m Moses and Spot is my dog. I’m happy because I can play with my dog….”

The bright, vibrant and colorful illustrations show a variety of children typical of any mixed culture classroom. One of Moses friends and his teacher have hearing aids. Moses and his classmates are illustrated posed in various ASL signs including the entire song of "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" at the end of the story. This text includes an author’s note at the beginning of the story to explain and introduce the story and gives insight into his research for the story. He also indicates that the letter and drawing of a dog used for Moses’ assignment was an actual letter and drawing from an actual student at New York’s J.H.S.’s School for the Deaf. Authenticity is evident by the author’s note and attention to details.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S):

Review from BOOKLIST: “As in Moses Goes to a Concert (1998), this joyful picture book tells a story in written English and also in American Sign Language (ASL). This time the focus is directly on how deaf children learn at their special public school--in the classroom, on the playground, and on the school bus. The warm line-and-watercolor illustrations show the diversity of Moses' city classroom, the fun the children have together, and the special way they learn. There are small diagrams of Moses signing simple sentences on almost every page. Millman explains in an introductory note that ASL has its own handshapes, movements, and facial expressions, as well as its own grammar and syntax. Moses types a letter on the computer and learns to translate it into spoken English. The teacher plays "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" on his boom box; the children can feel the vibrations and they sign the words to the song. A must for deaf children, this will also interest hearing kids and adults who want to learn about ASL.”

Review from SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Moses, who debuted in Moses Goes to a Concert (Farrar, 1998), is back. Here, he and his classmates, all of whom are deaf or hard of hearing, head back to their special school after summer break. The text explains that in addition to standard curriculum, these children first learn American Sign Language and then learn to read and write spoken English. Computer technology plays an important role in this class, as does music. Just as in the first book, this story reminds readers that even though these children may not be able to hear in the traditional sense, their appreciation of music and song is very enthusiastic. Child-friendly cartoon illustrations do a marvelous job of emphasizing the normalcy and charm of these youngsters. The variety of ethnicities and nationalities represented again emphasizes that, special-needs children come from all cultures. The double-page layouts nicely accommodate the primary pictorial action along with written text and ASL inserts featuring Moses signing a particular sequence from the story. An author's note and directions on how to interpret the child's signing are also included. This is another great contribution to children's education about disabilities that also succeeds as effective storytelling in its own right.”

CONNECTIONS
Activities
*Use as an introduction to cultures, languages and the first day of school.
*Practice and perform the ASL version of "Take Me Out to the Ball Game".