Helen Keller: Sullivan, an orphan and nearly blind Questions to ask after viewing herself, became a life-long friend and companion Voice and Vision to Keller. Later, their friend Mark Twain would 1. Hugh Downs describes young Keller as a In the Soul dub Sullivan "the Miracle Worker." "wild child." Why do you think she was Keller learned rapidly and eagerly. She wild? (She had an extraordinary mind and learned to speak, and it was a remarkable Hosted by Hugh Downs was frustrated by her inability to express achievement when she was admitted to Radcliff herself.) Synopsis and graduated summa cum laude. 2. How was Charles Dickens' book American Vintage film footage documents the Notes of help to Keller's mother? (It inspired Hugh Downs hosts a tour of Ivy Green, adventures of the inseparable Keller and Sullivan. her to seek people who were dedicated to the home where Helen Keller was born and They appeared in vaudeville, made a motion teaching the deaf.) raised. It was on this plantation in Tuscumbia, picture, lectured, traveled the world, and dined How old were Annie Sullivan and Helen Alabama, that Keller was taught by Annie with kings. Helen Keller became one of the most Keller when they met? (Sullivan was twenty Sullivan. popular people in the world. In 1924, she joined and Keller was seven.) Helen Keller was struck deaf and blind an the staff of the American Foundation for the 3. Keller and Sullivan developed a deep mutual unknown illness nineteen months after she was Blind, and acted as a counselor or national and respect and friendship. Why do you think born in 1880. Her well-meaning parents did not international relations, dedicated to helping those this happened? know how to help their daughter. Although she who were, in her words, "less fortunate than Where did Keller go to college, and how did developed her own primitive sign language to myself." she distinguished herself? (She attended communicate some of her needs, Keller received Helen Keller died in 1968 at the age of Radcliff and graduated with honors.) no formal education or assistance for five and a 87. Her ashes remain in the National Cathedral in 4. Keller and Sullivan's vaudeville show drew half years. She became spoiled, frustrated and Washington D.C., alongside those of her friend, mixed reactions-audiences loved it and critics terrorized the household. Annie Sullivan. found it offensive. How do you account for Keller's mother, after reading Charles the different reactions? Questions to ask before viewing Dickens' American Notes, was inspired to seek 5. In 1919, Keller worked on a project called help from people who were dedicated to teaching Deliverance. What was it? (It was the title • What do you know about Helen Keller? Why the deaf. One of these people was Alexander of the motion picture Keller made.) is she famous? Graham Bell. Bell led the Kellers to the Perkins 6. Who was Polly Thompson? (Keller's personal • What do you imagine life is like for someone School. The school sent twenty-year-old Annie secretary.) Helen Keller and Polly Thompson who is unable to see or hear? Sullivan to live with and teach seven-year-old were together for 40 years. Keller and Annie

Keller. Sullivan were together for 49 years. What do

you think accounts for these long-lasting relationships? Length AIMS Additional activities 24 minutes Discussion Guide

• View the film The Miracle Worker. Discuss Subject Area Helen Keller: how Helen Keller and Annie Sullivan embodied the concepts of caring and Social Studies Voice and Vision dedication. • In the Soul There are many organizations that work to Audience Levels inform the public on how to avoid the loss of Hosted by Hugh Downs. hearing or sight. Invite a representative from Intermediate-Adult

a local organization to address the importance Objectives of caring for our senses. Catalog number • Invite a teacher of sign language to explain • To examine the achievements of Helen the technique and to teach some simple 9891 Keller. phrases. • To recreate the life and times of this • Annotation Have students read Mark Medoff's play distinguished American. Children of a Lesser God. They might want Due to her triumph over a severe handicap, • To provide examples of the American spirit to rehearse and perform parts or all of the Helen Keller remains one of the most remarkable at its best. play. View the 1986 film version of the play people of the twentieth century. This program, hosted • To instill pride in the American virtues and and discuss how the characters learn to deal by Hugh Downs, celebrates the accomplishments of this deaf, blind and mute woman who dedicated her values of individualism and leadership. with deafness. life and love to helping those who were, in her words,

"less fortunate than myself." Related titles in the AIMS collection

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