Using Sign Language in Your Classroom - Getting Started

You've heard of the benefits of using American Sign Language in your classroom with your hearing students and you're interested in giving it a try, but you don't know where to begin.
Here are 7 tips to get you started:

1. Most importantly, enjoy the fun that comes with incorporating American Sign Language into your classroom routine. Simply begin with only one or two words that relate to your curriculum or that would benefit the entire class. Every day/week/month try to add one or two more signs; whatever will work best for you. This does not mean you have to learn the entire language, just add more signs as you are familiar enough with the ones you have already learned.
2. Always remember to say and sign a word together when you introduce a new sign. Once your students know a sign, you can start using it more regularly by giving them directions only using that sign, without speaking. This is a sure way to maintain a quiet classroom. The less talking you do, the less talking your students will do. {Plus they'll have to pay better attention to you or they might miss a direction.)
3. You do not need to teach ASL as a separate course. Simply incorporate signs into your current daily routine. Do not make more work for yourself by making it something extra. You only need to teach the signs for words you already say and use in the classroom.
4. Try to stay ahead of your students with your sign knowledge. Your students will enjoy learning new signs and will often request the sign for words you have not taught yet. I would advise you to have an American Sign Language Dictionary available for this reason. For those who work with elementary age children and younger, I suggest you read another article I wrote called "American Sign Language Dictionaries for Kids Online,"
5. There are also games online to help learn new signs. This is a great way for children to practice signs during their free time, either at school or in the home. They are both educational and fun! I have reviewed these as well in an article called "Educational Sign Language Games to Play on the Web"
6. If you are interested, a course in American Sign Language may be helpful, but it is not necessary to get started. Again, this can be done at a slower pace. Once you do know a lot of signs and would like to become more advanced, I do recommend taking a course. You can take good ASL courses online from your own home at your preferred pace for a reasonable price at www.signingonline.com.
7. Lastly, begin with the most important keywords. While I do suggest learning the manual alphabet, there is no need to be overwhelmed at the start by trying to learn these 26 letters. Simply begin with a few words that will be most useful in your classroom and continue from there.

Should you need help during your sign language journey, please visit my website at www.kimssigningsolutions.com. You may find some other helpful information on the site and can find my contact information there as well (in case my site doesn't answer your question.) Good luck and I commend you on your efforts to help your students to succeed!