Advisory Idea I "Fun With Sign Language"

Advisor-advisee programs, also called advisory, homebase, are built around the Turning Points (Carnegie 2002) principle that every child should know at least one adult in the school well. Thoroughout this blog, I will present ideas, both of my own and shared by others, which could be addressed in a Middle School advisory period.
AA programs should: Promote opportunities for social development, assist with academic difficulties, bring closer the relationships between administration, classroom teachers and students, act as student advocacy and action and promote a positive school experience for each child. (Clark & Clark 1994)

FUN WITH SIGN LANGUAGE

Objective: To introduce students to basic sign language; to show students the importance of non-verbal communication; to build relationships between students through group activities

INTRODUCTION: Provide students a handout of 5-10 basic sign language actions. Breifly explain why sign language is used and a short history of sign language. Then, as a class, act out the words or phrases on the list. Make sure you connect the sign with how that sign reflects the word or phrase it stands for. (EXAMPLE: Baby = cradling your arms and rocking them back and forth. Ask a simple question: Why do you think baby equals the cradling and rocking of arms? And, can you see how this makes sense?)

ACTIVITY: Have the class divide into groups of 3-5. The teacher will have 5-10 words on the board. Go through each word and ask the groups to agree on what they think the sign language action would be. Then each group selects a member to demonstrate in front of the class. Each member of the group should demonstrate at least one guess. Do this for all words or until the AA period is over.

REFLECTION: Discuss how sign language is helpful to both the hearing impared and well hearing person. How do we use non verbal communication in our everyday lives?

TECHNOLOGY: Use Internet videos to reveal the sign language action for each word in the activity.

This activity could take 20 minutes or could be stretched out to a two-period time slot.

PEACE.

Welcome

Here lies my running testimony advocating a progressive view for middle school education. Beginning today, I will regularly post my opinions on present practices and research, ideas on classroom activities and lessons and provide my vision of Middle Earth. This journal will be a living history of mid-level education through my eyes. I hope we all learn something new together. Enjoy.

--Dustin Dearman