Kayla's Helen Keller Paper

Today was our last day of Classical Conversations for this school year.  Can you hear us doing our happy dance???
Jack and Kayla both presented papers to their classes today.  I want to keep these essays so I'm publishing them here.  Maybe you'll enjoy them, too!

Kayla's Essentials class has spent a great deal of time researching, note taking, and writing essays on famous Americans.  The class is  required to include many elements of style and mark each one in the final draft.  Kayla chose Helen Keller.  Here is her (unmarked) finished product:

Finding Invisible Beauty

“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.” Helen Keller, who was born on June 27, 1880, lived in Tuscumbia, Alabama. Several important factors influenced Helen’s life. When she was a baby, Helen suffered a shocking illness.  As a result, Helen became both blind and deaf.  Helen Keller’s world completely changed when she met stunning Anne Sullivan.

                When Helen Keller was only one and a half years old, she became very sick. In Helen’s little body a colossal fever raged. Her parents, who were extremely concerned, thought she would die! Worrying, Helen’s mother would gently place wet towels on Helen’s head because she hoped to cool the fever. She was burning up. The doctor worried that Helen might have scarlet fever! Miraculously, a few days later the fever had disappeared!  But the illness had left a considerable mark on the young child.

                 Since Helen’s illness caused her to become both deaf and blind her behavior in childhood was deeply affected. Helen started as a happy, beautiful baby. At only six months she began to talk! Her learning halted. Helen, who resisted discipline, did what she wished; her distraught parents could not make her behave! Desperately they wanted to help Helen, although they did not know how. Helen was often angry. She kicked and cried. She was mischievous! Daring, she once cut all her friend’s hair off!  Obviously Helen’s illness greatly impacted her childhood.

                On March third, 1887 a teacher named Annie Sullivan moved to Alabama to help Helen Keller learn, because Helen’s parents needed help. At first Helen refused to obey Annie. She continued to be a disobedient student. Annie taught Helen everything. Since Helen often behaved rudely, Annie first taught her proper manners, which would be helpful as Helen grew older. Skilled, Annie taught Helen to read in Braille!  Helen simply adored being able to read! Gradually Helen excelled at the many things Annie taught her. Sadly, Anne Sullivan died on October 20, 1936. Annie moving to Alabama proved to be an excellent idea.

                Helen’s illness was devastating. It affected her childhood greatly. After Helen met her, Annie Sullivan made a gigantic impact on Helen's life.  Most significantly, Helen learned numerous life skills because Annie zealously persevered.  Auspiciously, Helen Keller learned to find beauty in the world even without seeing and hearing.