This video is an example of resources on line for teachers to
use in their classroom. The children in my preschool will be
presenting the third version of this song for our spring program!
http://www.mysmarthands.com
Preschool teachers that want to begin adding sign language to their curriculum don’t have to go be certified to start introducing signing to their class. I have slowly taught myself the language through workshops, books, DVD’s and online web pages. This technique has worked for me because I am able to learn American Sign Language in my free time, at my own pace and most importantly I learn what I need at the time to teach to my class. If I am teaching about a certain topic, I can look the words that I need and then teach them to the children as I sing a song or read a book. It is amazing to look at the end of the year, and see how many words that you have added to your vocabulary and to your curriculum.
I love free, so some of the best resources are on line and at the library. The public library has large selection of sign language books to be checked out as well as DVD’s on the subject. The most important tool to have in your classroom is an American Sign Language dictionary or resource book. This will enable you to look up words, as you need them for your lessons or songs. Some of the illustrations or pictures in the dictionaries are unclear. In this case it is helpful to read the description for the sign, because most of the time the sign relates to the word. For instance, the sign for cat is making whiskers on either side of your nose. Another helpful resource is getting online and actually seeing a person make the sign. The following are some Web sites where teachers seeking to bring sign language into their classrooms can find ASL resources.
Lifeprint, a very helpful site, offers a free ASL dictionary with some animation. The site includes recommendations for the first 100 signs to learn and teach, frequently used phrases in sign language, ASL games and activities, and pointers for teachers. www.lifeprint.com
Handspeak’s wide range of ASL resources include access to their animated dictionary, stories told in ALS, and a culture and language link. Some resources require a subscription fee.
Harris Communications offers ASL posters, flash cards, placemats, and labels for purchase online, as well as picture books about Deaf children. I recommend Can You Hear a Rainbow? And Dad and Me in the Morning. www.harriscomm.com
Redleaf Press publishes Sign to Learn: American Sign Lanugae in the Early childhood Classroom, by Kirsten Dennis and Tressa Azpiri, a comprehensive resource for teaching integrating ASL into the curriculum in hearing preschools.
(Brereton,A 2010)
Using these resources that you can find in the library and online can help a teacher develop a successful sign language program in the classroom. A teacher can include sing language in the classroom curriculum without a great deal of cost or preparation. It can take less than five minutes a day – just long enough to look up four or five signs in the ASL dictionary, and then teach them to the class. Before reading a book, teach the children signs based on the vocabulary words in the story (colors, animals, emotions, shapes, places) Then encourage the children to sign what they saw in the illustrations. While the teacher reads aloud, the children’s hands are busy signing along with the story. (Brereton, 2010)
These are some low cost ways to start introducing sign language in your preschool classroom. As time goes on, and you become more interested in learning more about sign language, there are classes offered online, community colleges and through churches or other private organizations. Teachers will be surprised once they begin to use signing in their classroom, they can bring out old books or songs and add signing to bring a new twist to that activity. The teachers might also notice once they teach their children the signs for stop, sit, stand up, how they can talk to the children from across the room without ever raising their voice. Signing is a wonderful guidance tool to use especially during a group time so that it is not interrupted, the teacher can sign reminders to individual children, “such as please wait”, “please stop.” (Brereton, 2010).
Making it easy to teach and use sign language in the preschool classroom is important to the busy preschool teacher. Learning, teaching and using sign language should be easy, fun and rewarding. Integrating the signs slowly is the key so the it will not be burdensome. Each year will get easier because you will build on what you have learned, become more confident and make changes in your curriculum for what worked and what did not. There are many resources out that can help the teacher become successful that will help the support the children’s learning and a positive guidance tool.
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| Sign language posters are a great resource for the preschool classroom.: www.signwithme.com |
Thanks for sharing, I will bookmark and be back again
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