My Life of Language: A Memoir by Paul W. Ogden

Author:Paul W. Ogden
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Gallaudet University Press
Published: 2017-01-15T01:10:06.211000+00:00

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SURVIVING SCHOOLWORK

We have been told over and over about the importance of bonding to our children. Rarely do we hear about the skill of letting go.

Joan Sheingold Ditzion

I found Latin an exciting and challenging subject. I was always thrilled to discover an English word that had its root in Latin. My father got into the game of listening for words in my Latin vocabulary. When he recognized one, he’d teach me the English derivatives, which meant I was learning new English words as well. It was important that I enlarge my vocabulary to keep up with my expanding academic experience, and this was a perfect way to do so.

I liked Latin class because it was easy for me and I didn’t mind memorizing. Miss Jones was cheerful and outgoing, just the opposite of the stereotypical Latin teacher. She was good about adopting Mrs. Carp’s idea of jotting down assignments and expectations on the blackboard. Once in a while, when there was no homework, she wrote on the board “Vacation!” or “Take a break from Latin.”

In Latin class, we had to memorize many, many word endings. I started to write these on index cards, but my mother came up with the brilliant idea of writing the endings for different categories on a roll of paper. She then tacked the twelve-inch-wide strips of paper on the walls in my bedroom. In a month the bedroom walls were covered with Latin. I was able to look up and memorize right above my desk and bed. What dreams I must have had—no posters of movie stars for me! My bedroom looked more like that of a Latin scholar than of a ninth-grade student. I began doing very well in Latin.

It was a different story in algebra. During the second week, Miss Waggy realized I was having trouble. At CID, the students who weren’t good lipreaders, speakers, and listeners struggled, but since these were among my strengths, I flourished. Our teachers in English, reading, and history were generally quite good. On the other hand, for whatever reason, our instruction in math and science tended to be substandard. At Lincoln, Miss Waggy determined that I was two years behind. I hadn’t done any preparatory math work for three or four years at CID. I was shocked when she said I should be taking a seventh-grade math class.

After a few days of discussions, Miss Waggy encouraged me to pursue independent study in class and after school. I was not very happy at first, but I realized she was right and that I had to work hard to make up for what I had missed at CID. Miss Waggy had confidence in me, but my parents began to worry about all the extra work I was doing. In the end, I persuaded them that I could handle the work. Miss Waggy turned out to be a very special person. Perhaps she was empathetic with my deafness because she had her own physical issue, her back.

Over time, Miss Waggy became sensitive to my needs.

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