SIGNED COMMUNICATION FOR EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANTS Learning Option for Skills Enhancement1

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

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KWHL

What do I know about signed communication?

What do I want to know? How can I learn more? What have I learned?

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GROUP DISCUSSION - WHY SIGN?

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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.

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GETTING STARTED- THE MANUAL ALPHABET

Why should I learn the Manual Alphabet?

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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

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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.

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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

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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.

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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?

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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.

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GROUP DISCUSSION - WHAT SIGNS?

What factors should you keep in mind when deciding what signs a student needs to understand and use?

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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”.

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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.

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SIGN WITH ME

Signs that build relationships: List 2 People, social words, feelings

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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.

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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

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SIGN QUIZ

Sign practice tracking sheet Sign Quiz Session 3

Receptive: score Expressive: score Comment: self-reflection on your signing today;

feedback from others.

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KWHL

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

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GROUP DISCUSSION - HOW WILL I LEARN MORE?

Learning signs from books, the internet and other people.

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SESSION 3- SIGN WITH ME

Signs that build relationships: List 3 Feelings and social behaviour.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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?

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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?

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SESSION 4- SIGN WITH ME

Signs that support a student’s education needs: List 4: Questions and Classroom routines.

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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

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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

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SIGN QUIZ

Sign practice tracking sheet. Sign Quiz Session 4

Receptive: score Expressive: score Comment: self-reflection on your signing today;

feedback from others.

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KWHL

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

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GROUP DISCUSSION - WHAT’S SO SPECIAL ABOUT ACTION WORDS? How many ways can you walk... Give it to her!

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SESSION 5- SIGN WITH ME

Signs that support learning needs: List 5 Action words

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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.

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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

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SIGN QUIZ

Sign practice tracking sheet. Sign Quiz session 6

Receptive: score Expressive: score Comment: self-reflection on your signing;

feedback from others.

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SESSION 6- SIGN WITH ME

Signs that support learning needs: List 6 A few last words

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GROUP DISCUSSION- KWHL

Some final thoughts: One piece of advice I would give to someone who

wants to learn to sign is _________________.

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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!

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