Introducing+ASL+into+the+Classroom

Students performing a song with sign language.

There are many ways to introduce the American Sign Language to your classroom.


 * A way we start in kindergarten is to teach them the "T" sign for toilet. This way if they need to use the bathroom, they can make the 'T' and shake it around to signal the teacher without any words. The teacher is then able to give them either the "yes" sign (making a fist and moving hand up and down) or the thumbs up to allow them to leave.


 * Another way is to introduce them into songs. At every age, students enjoy music. By incorporating the signs to basic songs they can quickly pick up on learning two things at once: learning the words, and learning the signs. They begin to realize how much they can learn in such a short time!


 * If you are in a younger age group, learning the ABC's or colors in sign language is a great way to memorize them. Nellie Edge has a wonderful curriculum in teaching students the letter name, its phoneme, as well as an action (example) of what starts with that letter. (ex. A, Ah, Alligator, B, Buh, Bear etc) The children love the rhytm of the chant, as well as the motions that go along with each letter.

These are just a few ways that sign language can appear in your classroom. If you have anymore ideas, please feel free to do them on your own or comment them on my wall!