Sign Language Instruction
for Elementary Age Students:
Recommended Resources
compiled by Kathy MacMillan
info@kathymacmillan.com
All About Sign Language by Felicia Lowenstein. (Enslow, 2004)
With a high-interest format and full-color photos and illustrations, Lowenstein
uses stories of real deaf people, such as Helen Keller and Alice Cogswell, to
introduce each chapter, and effortlessly weaves the fascinating history of
American Sign Language into the narrative. Setting it apart from many books
on the subject, this one goes into the linguistic principles of ASL, using the five
aspects of a sign not only to demonstrate sign vocabulary, but also to show that
ASL is a real language.
I Want to Learn Sign Language, Volume 1
I Want to Learn Sign Language, Volume 2 (American Production Services, 2001).
Gallaudet University graduate Karen Green plays “mom” in this video, and
teaches her two daughters basic sign language in preparation for a visit from
their deaf cousin. Vocabulary segments are divided by topic, and this video
does an excellent job of addressing Deaf culture and history, as well as the
feelings of a variety of deaf people.
Learn to Sign the Fun Way: Let Your Fingers Do the Talking with Games, Puzzles, and
Activities in American Sign Language by Penny Warner. (Prima, 2001)
This book is packed with vocabulary, depicted in clear, kid-friendly drawings
and organized into well-defined chapters, but it also gives a host of cultural
information without overwhelming young readers. A section of simple sign
language games at the back is of especial use to teachers.
Signing For Kids by Mickey Flodin. (Putnam 1991).
The first signing manual written for kids, this guide presents a host of signs in
an easy-to-follow, large format. Included among the subjects are the manual
alphabet, pets and animals, food, sports, school, family and friends, money, and
numbers.
Signs for Me: Basic Sign Vocabulary for Children, Parents, & Teachers by Ben Bahan
& Joe Dannis (DawnSignPress, 1990)
With an informative introduction, clear organization, easy-to-follow line
drawings, and illustrations for each concept, this book is a classic ASL resource.
Sing ‘n Sign Holiday Time with Gaia. (Heartsong Communications, 2003)
Gaia Tossing leads a group of deaf, hearing, and hard-of-hearing kids in signing
Christmas, Kwanzaa, and Hanukkah songs in this spirited production, available
on both video and DVD. All content is signed as well as spoken and open-
captioned, making the production completely accessible. The DVD also features
a “Training” section, where Gaia and Jonnie break down 14 songs and teach
viewers the ASL interpretations, incorporating valuable information about ASL
structure and how it differs from English.
You Can Learn American Sign Language by Jackie Kramer and Tali Ovadia. (Troll,
1999)
A great source of ASL vocabulary, with over three hundred signs arranged by
theme in a high-interest graphic style incorporating color photos of real kids
and snappy comic illustrations.
for Elementary Age Students:
Recommended Resources
compiled by Kathy MacMillan
info@kathymacmillan.com
All About Sign Language by Felicia Lowenstein. (Enslow, 2004)
With a high-interest format and full-color photos and illustrations, Lowenstein
uses stories of real deaf people, such as Helen Keller and Alice Cogswell, to
introduce each chapter, and effortlessly weaves the fascinating history of
American Sign Language into the narrative. Setting it apart from many books
on the subject, this one goes into the linguistic principles of ASL, using the five
aspects of a sign not only to demonstrate sign vocabulary, but also to show that
ASL is a real language.
I Want to Learn Sign Language, Volume 1
I Want to Learn Sign Language, Volume 2 (American Production Services, 2001).
Gallaudet University graduate Karen Green plays “mom” in this video, and
teaches her two daughters basic sign language in preparation for a visit from
their deaf cousin. Vocabulary segments are divided by topic, and this video
does an excellent job of addressing Deaf culture and history, as well as the
feelings of a variety of deaf people.
Learn to Sign the Fun Way: Let Your Fingers Do the Talking with Games, Puzzles, and
Activities in American Sign Language by Penny Warner. (Prima, 2001)
This book is packed with vocabulary, depicted in clear, kid-friendly drawings
and organized into well-defined chapters, but it also gives a host of cultural
information without overwhelming young readers. A section of simple sign
language games at the back is of especial use to teachers.
Signing For Kids by Mickey Flodin. (Putnam 1991).
The first signing manual written for kids, this guide presents a host of signs in
an easy-to-follow, large format. Included among the subjects are the manual
alphabet, pets and animals, food, sports, school, family and friends, money, and
numbers.
Signs for Me: Basic Sign Vocabulary for Children, Parents, & Teachers by Ben Bahan
& Joe Dannis (DawnSignPress, 1990)
With an informative introduction, clear organization, easy-to-follow line
drawings, and illustrations for each concept, this book is a classic ASL resource.
Sing ‘n Sign Holiday Time with Gaia. (Heartsong Communications, 2003)
Gaia Tossing leads a group of deaf, hearing, and hard-of-hearing kids in signing
Christmas, Kwanzaa, and Hanukkah songs in this spirited production, available
on both video and DVD. All content is signed as well as spoken and open-
captioned, making the production completely accessible. The DVD also features
a “Training” section, where Gaia and Jonnie break down 14 songs and teach
viewers the ASL interpretations, incorporating valuable information about ASL
structure and how it differs from English.
You Can Learn American Sign Language by Jackie Kramer and Tali Ovadia. (Troll,
1999)
A great source of ASL vocabulary, with over three hundred signs arranged by
theme in a high-interest graphic style incorporating color photos of real kids
and snappy comic illustrations.
American Sign Language Services
from
Kathy MacMillan
ASL interpreter, instructor, consultant, writer, and signing storyteller
from
Kathy MacMillan
ASL interpreter, instructor, consultant, writer, and signing storyteller
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-Overview
-Program descriptions
-Collaborative Summer Reading
-Sign language birthday parties
-What others say
-Upcoming performances
-Book a program
-Upcoming classes
-Private tutoring
-Classes by request
-Overview
-Workshop descriptions
-Workshop participants say
-Book a workshop
-Books
-Articles
-Recommended ASL
resources
-Tips for working with an
interpreter
-Signing with babies
-How to communicate with
someone who is deaf
-Program descriptions
-Collaborative Summer Reading
-Sign language birthday parties
-What others say
-Upcoming performances
-Book a program
-Upcoming classes
-Private tutoring
-Classes by request
-Overview
-Workshop descriptions
-Workshop participants say
-Book a workshop
-Books
-Articles
-Recommended ASL
resources
-Tips for working with an
interpreter
-Signing with babies
-How to communicate with
someone who is deaf