Imagine you wake up one morning to silence. You see the water running, but there is no gurgle. You see the birds in the trees, but there is no chirping. You see your family's mouths moving, but there are no words. Could you live like that? Could you survive? Every morning, millions of Americans wake up to this reality. They are hearing impaired. They have learned to speak with their hands, and you will too!
You are about to enter the world of the hearing impaired. Within your group you will use a CAI and websites to learn the basics of communication with American Sign Language (ASL). You will then try to communicate with each other using what you have learned. Use the worksheet and answer link at the bottom to test your knowledge.
You will learn some of the more basic signs used. You will, by no means, be fluent in ASL, (that would take many years of study) but you will be able to convey general ideas.
First you need the basics. The following link will take you to a web site that has the alphabet. You need to practice these with your group. Be sure you can spell your name. Try spelling simple words to each other to practice reading sign language.
Using the book Signing Made Easy by Butterworth and Flodin, study the signs for numbers on pages 15-17. You do not need to learn how to design money or fractions. Practice within your group signing numbers, such as birthdays, ages, addresses, or the practice numbers in the book.
In your group of three or four, start the CAI "The American Sign Language Dictionary." by Martin L.A. Sternberg, Ed. D. Sign in everybody in your group and continue on. On the next screen click on the icon Dictionary. Now you can search for your words! The words you choose will be demonstrated visually, as well as described verbally and in writing. You need to find the words you need and practice them within your group.
What you need to say...
1. I need help.
2. I need to eat please.
3. Hello/goodbye
4. My name is (spell your name).
5. How much is the book? Thank you.
6. I am deaf.
7. I need a good job please.
8. I am cold.
9. I love you.
You have learned the alphabet and some simple words. Find a partner (someone not your group) and try to have a five minute conversation. Now that you have had a glimpse in the world of the hearing impaired, have a class discussion about what it was like learning ASL, and what you think it would be like if you could not hear anything.
Click here to see a copy of the worksheet.
Click here to see the answers for the questions on the worksheet.
e-mail me at kstorfa@hotmail.com