Resources for Librarians and Educators
About American Sign Language and Deafness
compiled by Kathy MacMillan
info@kathymacmillan.com

ASL Access
www.aslaccess.org
This non-profit organization helps libraries access a huge collection of ASL
videos, and its website has something to offer everyone: video reviews, articles,
and links to many sources of information.  Check out the "Where can I find ASL
videos?" link to find out if a public library near you owns the ASL Access
collection.

Come Sign With Us: Sign Language Activities for Children by Jan C. Hafer and
Robert M. Wilson. (Gallaudet University, 2002)
This easy-to-follow book presents twenty lessons on basic sign language,
broken down into easy chunks such as “Asking Questions” and “Saying Hello”,
and accompanied by clear line drawings of the signs discussed.

Dancing with Words: Signing for Hearing Children’s Literacy by Marilyn Daniels.  
(Bergin and Garvey, 2001)
Daniels' book demonstrates that American Sign Language isn't just for deaf
students.  Citing numerous research studies, many conducted by Daniels
herself, this book gives solid evidence as to why and how ASL supports literacy
in hearing children.  Best of all, Daniels offers practical strategies for use in the
early elementary and preschool classroom.

Deaf Heritage: A Student Text and Workbook by Felicia Mode Alexander and Jack
R. Gannon. (NAD,1981)
This classic resource offers information on important deaf figures from the
1800s to 1980, and includes brief readings for students on deaf schools, ASL, the
oral movement, deaf artists, sports, theatre, and writings by deaf authors.  
Timelines help keep dates straight, and comprehension questions and follow-up
activities appear at the end of the book.

Discoveries: Significant Contributions of Deaf Women and Men by Anita P. Davis
and Katharine S. Preston. (Butte, 1996)
Each of these twenty-two biographical entries on deaf people from all walks of
life includes a short sketch, related activities incorporating a variety of skills,
vocabulary pages, and enrichment pages.  This book provides information about
both well known and lesser known figures, such as educator Laurent Clerc,
actress Linda Bove, sculptor Douglas Tilden, and mountain climber Heidi
Zimmer.

"Hands-On Collection Building: A librarian offers tips for sign
language materials selection." by Kathy MacMillan.
School Library Journal, March
2003.
A practical guide to evaluating and updating your library's sign language
collection.

History Through Deaf Eyes edited by Cathryn Carroll.  (Gallaudet University,
Clerc Center, 2002)
Three young deaf students visit a deaf history exhibit, and learn about sign
language and deaf history as the statues come to life.  From the prince of Lydia
in the 6th century B.C.E. to more recent seminal figures such as Laurent Clerc
and Helen Keller, this book presents the highlights of deaf history in an
accessible way, without ever shying away from its uglier parts.  

"Keep 'Em Reading: Deaf History Month and ASL." by Kathy MacMillan. Library
Sparks
web resource, May 2006.
Recommended resources and activities for teaching about American Sign
Language and deafness.

Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center
http://clerccenter.gallaudet.edu/
The premiere source of information about deafness online, with fact sheets,
teacher guides, information about assistive devices, and more.

Let’s Learn About Deafness: Classroom Activities by Rachel Stone-Harris. (Gallaudet
University Press, 1988)
Includes activities and worksheets appropriate for the primary grades, focusing
on deaf culture, terminology, basic sign language, and famous deaf people.

Movers and Shakers: Deaf People Who Changed the World by Cathryn Carroll and
Susan M. Mather. (DawnSignPress, 1997)
These twenty-six brief stories tell of deaf people who overcome the prevailing
attitudes of their time to show that, as Dr. I. King Jordan famously said, “deaf
people can do anything hearing people can – except hear."

Sign to Learn: American Sign Language in the Early Childhood Classroom by Kirsten
Dennis and Tressa Azpiri. (Redleaf Press, 2005)
A must for any preschool teacher serious about incorporating ASL into
classroom activities.  Dennis and Azpiri write from their own experience of
using ASL in the classroom, and, though neither is fluent in ASL, they share
their detailed curriculum.  They provide a context for using the language by
giving a basic introduction for beginners, then give copious lesson plans, on
topics common to the early childhood classroom (weather, seasons, school,
family, colors, community helpers, animals, feelings).  

Try Your Hand at This!: Easy Ways to Incorporate Sign Language Into Your Programs
by Kathy MacMillan. (Scarecrow Press, 2006)
This down-to-earth guide includes tips for using sign language in programs for
any age group, along with background information about sign language and
deafness, tips for improving your sign language collection and marketing to
deaf and hearing audiences, and a section of ready-made programs complete
with a visual glossary of storytime signs.
American Sign Language Services
from
Kathy MacMillan
ASL interpreter, instructor, consultant, writer, and signing storyteller
Stories By Hand:
Programs for all ages
Interpreting Services
ASL Workshops:
professional development
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Resources

Kathy MacMillan
7 Beth Court  ~  Owings Mills MD 21117
443-739-0716  ~  
info@kathymacmillan.com
Page last updated 2/3/08
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