activity - Alphabet & Simple words/phrases in asl
Grade Level: 4 - 6 (easily altered for any grade)
Duration: About 30 minutes for initial activity; signs should be reinforced at later times for memory, about 5 - 10 minutes each time
Diversity Focus: I designed this activity to help promote understanding, acceptance, tolerance, and kindness towards the Deaf and Hard of Hearing culture. It can also be used to promote a welcoming atmosphere within the classroom/school if there is a Deaf or Hard of Hearing child present in the classroom or school. It is directly focused on learning some simple ASL signs as well as the ASL alphabet (more of a description below). I would also suggest a discussion about tolerance and acceptance of others and that by learning ASL, you can honor the diversity of your class/school. This activity could be used in a classroom on all different forms of communication and languages and how some aren't even verbal.
Activity: *This activity can be altered in so many ways! You can change the signs to better suit the grade level or situation (videos are all over on YouTube, as well as ASL dictionaries and books). You also would personalize any before/after conversations to your class/situation*
1. Familiarize yourself with the ASL Alphabet (video below) and any words you want to teach your students (simple sample words video below). Also print off copies of the ASL alphabet and the word list you are using (sample below) for your students.
2. Have a discussion with your class about ASL - What is it? Who uses it and why? Do you know anyone that uses ASL? You could also have the Deaf or Hard of Hearing student at the front of the class helping you if that applies to your situation. You would also add in any direct discussion about tolerance and acceptance at this time - Why are these students/people so special? How should we treat them? They really aren't that different from everyone else in the class, etc.
3. You can do this activity 2 ways at this point: Do the signs yourself from the start or show the students a video first; I would really recommend doing it all yourself. Start off with the alphabet and go through it slowly several times, making sure students have correct technique (video below explains what to look for). Once you have gone through 3 or 4 times (don't worry, you will go back over it as review and to reinforce other times throughout the coming weeks when you have 5 - 10 minutes spare time; reinforcement is very important!). Once you have done the alphabet, do your simple signs using the same technique as the alphabet. Just remember to not do too many at once otherwise it can be too overwhelming. You can also explain when you would use the sign if there is a Deaf or Hard of Hearing student in the class ("Use the 'announcement' sign when there is something on the intercom to focus on").
4. Have fun! As the year goes on you can add more and more signs to your class's repertoire, and maybe even some songs! ASL is very fun in the classroom and I encourage you to use this activity.
Duration: About 30 minutes for initial activity; signs should be reinforced at later times for memory, about 5 - 10 minutes each time
Diversity Focus: I designed this activity to help promote understanding, acceptance, tolerance, and kindness towards the Deaf and Hard of Hearing culture. It can also be used to promote a welcoming atmosphere within the classroom/school if there is a Deaf or Hard of Hearing child present in the classroom or school. It is directly focused on learning some simple ASL signs as well as the ASL alphabet (more of a description below). I would also suggest a discussion about tolerance and acceptance of others and that by learning ASL, you can honor the diversity of your class/school. This activity could be used in a classroom on all different forms of communication and languages and how some aren't even verbal.
Activity: *This activity can be altered in so many ways! You can change the signs to better suit the grade level or situation (videos are all over on YouTube, as well as ASL dictionaries and books). You also would personalize any before/after conversations to your class/situation*
1. Familiarize yourself with the ASL Alphabet (video below) and any words you want to teach your students (simple sample words video below). Also print off copies of the ASL alphabet and the word list you are using (sample below) for your students.
2. Have a discussion with your class about ASL - What is it? Who uses it and why? Do you know anyone that uses ASL? You could also have the Deaf or Hard of Hearing student at the front of the class helping you if that applies to your situation. You would also add in any direct discussion about tolerance and acceptance at this time - Why are these students/people so special? How should we treat them? They really aren't that different from everyone else in the class, etc.
3. You can do this activity 2 ways at this point: Do the signs yourself from the start or show the students a video first; I would really recommend doing it all yourself. Start off with the alphabet and go through it slowly several times, making sure students have correct technique (video below explains what to look for). Once you have gone through 3 or 4 times (don't worry, you will go back over it as review and to reinforce other times throughout the coming weeks when you have 5 - 10 minutes spare time; reinforcement is very important!). Once you have done the alphabet, do your simple signs using the same technique as the alphabet. Just remember to not do too many at once otherwise it can be too overwhelming. You can also explain when you would use the sign if there is a Deaf or Hard of Hearing student in the class ("Use the 'announcement' sign when there is something on the intercom to focus on").
4. Have fun! As the year goes on you can add more and more signs to your class's repertoire, and maybe even some songs! ASL is very fun in the classroom and I encourage you to use this activity.
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*This ASL Alphabet Diagram is from here.*