26 Ways to Incorporate Alphabet Signs into Your Story Times (23-25)

Image credit: Wikipedia

Today's post continues with a series of enrichment activities to incorporate alphabet signs into story time:

23. Crack the Code

Create two or three sets of playing cards described in Activity #14 (it can be helpful to have several extra cards for each vowel). Separate the cards into two piles (a pile of letter cards and a pile of alphabet handshape cards). Set the letter cards aside (they won’t be used for this activity). Player one uses the handshape cards to create a word or phrase (for example, “T-H-I-S  G-A-M-E  I-S  F-U-N”). Player two signs each handshape, translates the handshapes into letters, and says the word or phrase aloud. Switch roles and continue play.

Note:  The activity packets for younger (and older) children available on my publisher’s website includes several ready-made codes to crack!  

24. Create An Alphabet Book for Your Name

Give each participant enough sheets of paper for a cover page and one page for every letter in their name. Provide art supplies such as crayons, markers, stickers, old magazines, scissors and glue along with copies of the alphabet glossary (available on page 3 of the Story Time Activity Packet -Younger Children available at this link). Instruct participants to illustrate the cover of their book and each page with an alphabet-themed illustration that corresponds to each letter in their name. Encourage participants to read and sign their book with a partner. 

25. Read and Sign Along with an Alphabet Book

Use an easel to make a vertical list of the words from an alphabet book such as “Sign Language ABC” or the words from an alphabet themed story such as "A to Z Sign with Me." For example, page 8 of “A to Z Sign with Me” would be written as follows:

Eat

frankfurters while they're

good and

hot.

 

Now read each page of the book, taking pause to sign the letters featured on each page. Try this out with a variety of alphabet books including personal favorites such as Alligator Alphabet and classics such as Chicka Chicka Boom Boom.

You can extend this learning activity by fingerspelling the key words featured in each alphabet book, so instead of just signing A is for Apple, you could fingerspell, A-P-P-L-E.

To extend the learning further, encourage participants to look up the ASL signs for one or more words in the alphabet book.   

Helpful Resources:

Signs for A-Z

ASL Alphabet Glossary (use this link to download the activity packet for younger children, and the alphabet glossary from my books is included in that packet)

Start to Finish Story Time: Alphabet Signs

The sign for Alphabet

A to Z Sign with Me

Abdo Publishing Group

Please contact Dawn using the form to the left if you'd like to receive reduced pricing on books in the Story Time with Signs & Rhymes series. This offer is available to workshop participants, consulting clients, and subscribers to this blog or Dawn's social media accounts.  

If you'd like to be on the mailing list for the next offering of my online class: Sing, Sign and Story Time for Professionals, please use the form at the left to send me your contact information. 

Please share your own ideas and experiences in the comment section below, and subscribe to my blog to receive more ideas over time.  Happy Signing!