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A Handy Language
Kristen Fuller & Julia Sansom

Why Sign Language?

American Sign Language (ASL) is the
3rd most widely used language in the
United States
However, not many hearing people
know this language!
ASL classes are only offered in
elementary school in a handful of
states.

Why Sign Language?

ASL has many benefits for hearing elementary
students, like building vocabulary, building
communication skills, improving small motor skills,
improving spelling, and improving classroom
behavior

What did we do?

We met with 2 third grade students during Morning
Intervention time on Thursday mornings. We met with
them 5 times, and during each session we taught them
how to sign common words in ASL.

How did we teach ASL?

We taught our third graders sign language with a variety of different

resources. Our goal was for the students to learn ASL in an effective yet
FUN way!

We

used:
File Folder Games
Online Quizzes
Picture Flash Cards
Childrens Books
Videos

In the
beginning...

We introduced the importance of ASL and taught the

students how to sign their name.

We taught greetings and common

phrases.

2nd
session

3rd
Session

4th
Session

We taught basic phrases

such as I am hungry.

Welcome
to Trace
Cafe!

5th Session

Our assessment was a

restaurant simulation!

Overall Impact

Our 3rd Grade students showed a HUGE interest in ASL

They reported that they loved the overall experience

We got to learn a new skill, and be reminded of what it is like to learn

something new

It was a special time to focus on two students and teach them an

enriching skill

ASL In
Everyday Life

References
Sign Language Fun Facts. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.ics.uci.edu/~mvyawaha/funfacts.html
5 Ways Sign Language Benefits the Hearing: How ASL Improves Communication.
(2013). Retrieved from https://www.speechbuddy.com/blog/language-development/5-ways-signlanguage-benefits-the-hearing/