Signed Communication for Educational Assistants

1. Signed Communication for Educational Assistants Learning Option for Skills Enhancement

2. Session 1-Introduction to Signed Communication • This session we will: • Introduce Ourselves • Overview of Signed Communication Learning Option • Discussion – “Why Sign?” • Get started with The Manual Alphabet

3. KWHL • What do I know about signed communication? • What do I want to know? • How can I learn more? • What have I learned?

4. Group Discussion - Why sign?

5. Important considerations • This course is a basic introduction to signed communication vs. sign language. • American Sign Language (ASL) is very different from Signed English. • A visual communication system must include appropriate body language, facial expression, and understanding and use of accurate signs. • Practice is essential to become a fluent signer.

6. Getting Started- the Manual Alphabet • Why should I learn the Manual Alphabet?

7. Session 1 Sign With MeSigning Practice • Tips for using the manual alphabet: • Letters face the person you are communicating with • Keep hand and arm steady • Be aware of signing space • Be accurate

8. Session 1 Summary • Key points: • Signed communication is a means to build relationships with and meet specific learning needs of students I work with. • American Sign Language is a complete visual language. This course is a basic introduction. • To be a fluent signer I must be accurate in understanding and using signs, and I must practice every day.

9. Session 2-Building a Core Vocabulary • This session we will: • Review last session • Rate your signing practice time (as appropriate) • Now I know my ABC’s quiz and rubric • Group Discussion • Sign With Me

10. Sign Quiz • Use the Sign Quiz sheets to track your progress • Receptive: score • Expressive: score • Comment: self-reflection on your signing today; feedback from others.

11. KWHL • What do I know about what signs to use? • What do I know about using facial expression and body language? • What do I want to know? • How can I learn more? • What have I learned?

12. Getting started with signs • If using signs is a means to build relationships and meet specific learning needs, what signs do I need to know? • A signing repertoire of core vocabulary that supports the educational and social needs of students.

13. Group discussion - What signs? What factors should you keep in mind when deciding what signs a student needs to understand and use?

14. Tips for signing • Be accurate with hand shape, placement, orientation and movement of each sign. • Sign with your dominant hand. • Be aware of your ‘signing space’. • Be aware of regional differences in signs. • Use conceptually correct signs eg. “Run”, “Blue”.

15. Body Language and Facial Expressions • Signs alone cannot fully convey meaning or intent eg. “Sad” • A visual language is built on facial expressions, natural gestures and body language to add meaning, just as voice and intonation does for spoken English eg. “No” • Use appropriate facial expressions and body language when using signed communication.

16. Sign With Me • Signs that build relationships: List 2 • People, social words, feelings

17. Session 2 Summary • Key points: • I should use signs that meet the social and educational needs of my student. • I should consider the student’s developmental level and abilities, the educational setting, frequently used words, and expressive and receptive communication needs. • Appropriate facial expression and body language are essential for meaningful signed communication.

18. Session 3-Building a Core Vocabulary • This session we will: • Review last session • Rate your signing practice time (as appropriate) • Session 3 quiz and rubric • KWHL • Group Discussion - How Can I Learn More? • Sign With Me

19. Sign Quiz • Sign practice tracking sheet • Sign Quiz Session 3 • Receptive: score • Expressive: score • Comment: self-reflection on your signing today; feedback from others.

20. KWHL • “H”- How I plan to get more information. • Fill in the H column of your KWHL sheet.

21. Group Discussion - How will I learn more? • Learning signs from books, the internet and other people.

22. Session 3- Sign With Me • Signs that build relationships: List 3 • Feelings and social behaviour.

23. Session 3 summary • Key points: • There are many varied resources to support my learning of signed communication. • There are advantages and disadvantages of various resources. • I need to know how to learn more about sign communication and can create my own action plan to do this.

24. Session 4- Building my sign skills • This session we will: • Review last session • Rate your signing practice time (as appropriate) • Session 4 Sign quiz and rubric • KWHL • Group Discussion - Why sign? • Sign With Me

25. Sign Quiz • Sign practice tracking sheet. • Use the Sign Quiz sheets to track your progress: • Receptive: score • Expressive: score • Comment: self-reflection on your signing today; feedback from others.

26. KWHL • What do I know about the advantages of using signed communication with hearing children? • What do I want to know? • How can I learn more? • What have I learned?

27. Group Discussion- What Can we Learn from Alana? • Read excerpt from journal article, Alana: How one hearing child used sign language to move from ‘disruptive’ student to a classroom expert. • What important lessons can we learn from Alana about the benefits of signed communication?

28. Session 4- Sign With Me • Signs that support a student’s education needs: List 4: • Questions and Classroom routines.

29. Session 4 Summary • Key points: • Signed communication can support a student’s learning needs in many areas- social, academic and behavioural • I need to be especially aware of my facial expressions and body language when asking questions • I need to be especially aware of my signing space and hand movements when talking about time

30. Session 5-Building a Core Vocabulary of Action Words • This session we will: • Review last session • Rate your signing practice time (as appropriate) • Session 5 quiz and rubric • KWHL • Group Discussion-What’s so special about verbs? • Sign With Me

31. Sign Quiz • Sign practice tracking sheet. • Sign Quiz Session 4 • Receptive: score • Expressive: score • Comment: self-reflection on your signing today; feedback from others.

32. KWHL • What do I know about signing action words? • What do I want to know? • How can I learn more? • What have I learned?

33. Group Discussion - What’s so special about action words? • How many ways can you walk... • Give it to her!

34. Session 5- Sign With Me • Signs that support learning needs: List 5 • Action words

35. Session 5 Summary • Key points: • Many action words can be signed in a variety of different ways, depending on the intended meaning. • I can make my meaning more clear if I am aware of using conceptually correct signs and movements for action words.

36. Session 6- A Few Last Words • This session we will: • Review last session • Rate your signing practice time (as appropriate) • Session 6 quiz and rubric • Sign With Me • Group Discussion- KWHL

37. Sign Quiz • Sign practice tracking sheet. • Sign Quiz session 6 • Receptive: score • Expressive: score • Comment: self-reflection on your signing; feedback from others.

38. Session 6- Sign With Me • Signs that support learning needs: List 6 • A few last words

39. Group Discussion- KWHL • Some final thoughts: • One piece of advice I would give to someone who wants to learn to sign is _________________.

40. Summary • This course has been an introduction to signed communication. • There is much more to learn. • Learning takes dedication and perseverance. • There are a variety of resources available to help you. • Good luck!