Definition: A grateful person is thankful for people, nature, and things and is able to make the best of what they have, even if it’s not as much as what others have.  Stewardship means showing  thankfulness for what we have by taking good care of what we’ve been given. 

In short: Thankful for every blessing, big or small.

Summary:

This story, based on Helen Keller’s autobiography “This is My Life”, is about how a teacher and a student brought hope and knowledge to those who suffer from handicaps like blindness and deafness. Helen Keller became blind and deaf after an early childhood illness. She lived in darkness and loneliness until a teacher, Anne Sullivan, came to live and work with her. Anne was able to help Helen overcome her obstacles and achieve great success. Their story inspires all of us not to give up when we’re faced with hardship and it reminds us to be grateful for what we have.   

Lesson Objectives: 

1. Students will show more sensitivity to those like Helen, who have special needs. Teachers can go into more detail about how people help those with disabilities. 
2. They will appreciate the gifts of sight and hearing as they write or draw about the things they like to see and hear. 

Guiding Questions: 

1. Do you know what the words blind and deaf mean? Was Helen born that way? 
2. What were some of the challenges Helen faced as a blind and deaf child? 
3. How did Anne Sullivan teach Helen about the word “water”?
4. Why was it hard for Helen to understand the word “love”? 
5. How did Anne teach Helen to read? 
6. What did you learn from Helen’s amazing life story?  
7. Do you know anyone who is blind or deaf? Even if you don’t, imagine that you do - then how could you help them experience the things they can’t hear or see? 
8. What are some of Helen’s accomplishments? Does it surprise you that she could do so much, even though she was blind and deaf? Do you think she inspires others who share her situation? 
9. What are some things that you’ve seen where you live that help people who are blind or deaf? Can you describe them? 
10. Do you think people who aren’t blind or deaf feel grateful that they can see and hear? How about you?