Benefits+for+Students

There are many benefits for students who use sign language in their classrooms. Some include:


 * Learning a new language
 * The most intersting thing about sign language is just that. It is its own language. Students are not only learning how to sign the letter 'A', they are engaging in a whole new language.


 * Learning about a new culture
 * Those who use ASL in their everyday lives have their own type of culture. Just as the other ethnicities have their own culture, hearing impared or deaf people have one of their own as well. Learning this new way of speaking/learning, is also a way for them to embrace diversity and accept how we are all different.


 * Remembering the sign corresponds with a word
 * I have used this method before in a few classrooms. There have been many times when students could not remember what the word was (as they were reading). Instead of telling them the answer right away, I showed them the sign. Once the sign was done, they could remember what the word was. It was amazing to see in action. I have also seen it done when reminding kindergarteners of the letters and sounds.


 * There are other ways to communicate without words
 * Young students are very aware of communicating with their voices. Using sign language, allows them to see that there is a way to communicate without even speaking. The use of our hands and facial expressions are huge factors in communicating without words. When students learn how to say "toilet" (making the 'T' sign while shaking hand) is a great example of a quiet way to leave the rug without interrupting the discussion. Many times students outburst with a question or comment which can take away from the instruction. The more they understand communication in both a verbal and non-verbal sense, the better they will be at communicating in general.

This video shows the Nellie Edge ABC chant in Kindergarten. media type="youtube" key="RqfIg-EVNzY" height="315" width="420"