- Today’s reading investigation: Sign Language
- Family Sharing: “What do you notice?” *Invite everyone to share. Discuss which signs could your family learn that might help communication when others are around? *There once was an opportunity to view a group of middle/high schoolers who were waiting to go on stage for a competition. I watched in admiration as the teacher signed praise, support, and directives. As a parent/educator that was the moment in time when I knew… all of those on my watch would learn signs as way to communicate when we were in public!
- Materials: family learning journals/paper, pencils, colored pencils, and/or crayons
- Remind them to open their journals to the next available page and date it. Don’t forget to have them label the top of the page with today’s learning topic/skill.
- Next: Allow everyone 10-15 minutes to put their thoughts on paper about why learning sign language might be a good “reading” skill. This is a great moment to check their spelling and their penmanship (proper letter formation including the ascenders and descenders placement). Inspire them to value their penmanship. When they put their thoughts on paper, it becomes an individual representation to an audience (reader). Their penning of their thoughts becomes the only representation of their personal connections, learning, and or creations. Ask them: “Are you satisfied with today’s writing? Could it be hung in a museum?”
- Skill Discussion: “Let’s share what you’ve penned!” Encourage everyone to share… including your youngest. Spend a few moments sharing how you made choices when you were their age (include the titles or what your book was about, as well as why it remains a “Good Fit” favorite).
- Discussion Wrap-Up: “Should we learn some language online?” Below are some sign language sights I have had success with:
- ASL (American Sign Language): http://www.aslpro.cc/cgi-bin/aslpro/aslpro.cgi Even though this link says “Baby Sign” it is one of the best word/hand beginning language sight.
- Signing Time: https://www.signingtime.com/dictionary/ Such an easy sight to look for every day terms. Excellent word side bar, perfect for toddlers!
One Night a Week… One Family… One Read Aloud… Priceless!
