A Turn to Learn

Ed Tech Integration in the Elementary Classroom

Get Your Students Using Silent Signals & Freebie!

by //

I’ve heard about the hand signals that teachers all over use, and I absolutely loved the idea, but I wanted to do something a bit different with my class.  I thought back to when I was in elementary school and one of my teachers taught us the pledge in sign language.  I have a second cousin who is deaf and speaks sign language, and I thought it was the coolest thing to learn something that I could use to “communicate” with him.

So… it hit me!  I decided to teach my class sign language!

Using Sign Language for Silent Signals

We learned so many different words, and my students constantly asked if we could go to the website Signing Savvy to learn more!  It totally revolutionized my classroom.  Suddenly, everything was sign language.  No longer did students call out “Is it time to erase the board yet?” Instead, they used sign language!

Click the pictures below to see an animated video to learn how to sign each of the words, then download the poster at the bottom of the page to post in your classroom as a reminder to your students!

 

 

Note: The reason I link to this version of light is it’s similar to the option for overhead lights that other signing websites use.

 

For the next two words, we combine two different signs.

 

 

 
Note: The action cup refers to a previous post I had written about:

Using an Action Cup for Classroom Transitions

 

Here’s a free sign language poster to hang in your classroom!

To save the file, just click the image to get to the higher quality picture, then right click (or Mac: Ctrl + Click) to save the image onto your computer! 

 

Comments

    • Jamie says

      I use a system where each child gets 5 paper fish (could be any picture) on Monday. They use them to go to the bathroom or get a drink if they need to do so at a time when we are not already taking a whole-class break. Every Friday, students can turn in 5 fish for a prize from our Treasure Chest. It may take them a week or two to save up 5 fish, but it works to minimize interruptions (they just hang the fish up on a clip when they leave and put it in a bowl when they return).

Try This Tutorial

Try This Activity

Popular Posts