If your students have missed those conversations, they may not have those links in their heads when they encounter the world in your classroom. Name two animals that live in each body of water. Give two uses for each body of water. Homework can become the practice field on which deaf children can begin to make those connections that can be made later on without prompts. Discipline with style and grace.
Good teachers have few discipline problems.
Poor teachers have many discipline problems. The more problem students you have, the more style and grace you need in dealing with the discipline problems. The direct, firm, but humorous, approach to misbehavior is more effective than attacking each misdemeanor with anger and disgust. Good disciplinarians can be light and polite because they are confident and have authority on their side. When teachers overreact with anger, threats and insults, students think more about their teacher's behavior rather than their own misbehavior.