American Sign Language as a foreign language

[inHistiming]

I didn't want to hi-jack the other thread so here I am...

Has anyone begun, or used in the past, American Sign Language with their kids? I am thinking about learning it and teaching my kids at the same time. It seems it could be a very useful tool in life and in ministry. Plus, it always enhances music if you can do the sign language with it, KWIM? Anyway, just wondering if anyone has a recommendation for what to use for this. I looked at our library, and there wasn't much that actually taught the signs...most books had a few signs and a LOT of history. I'd be interested in reading the history of it...but want to be able to follow that up with learning how to communicate. What have you used that worked?

[my3sons]

I don't have a book reference for you, but I just wanted to say that I took a college course called "signs and songs" and LOVED it! It was such an enjoyable way to learn sign language. I taught each ps classroom of mine a song in sign language to perform, and it was lots of fun. Combining music with sign language is a super way to teach it!

In Christ,
Julie

[yayadaisy]

I would love to see what others come up with here. I was thinking about doing the same thing with my kids. It is for any age and it could be so much more useful out in the world than learning another language I think! I don't have suggestions for you as I too, would love some ideas as what to use for this.

Sheila mom to five great kids, one angel and one on the way!

[Tabitha]

Oh yeah, I can help. My B.A. is in Sign Language/Interpreting....

For fun for kids and yourself...Signing Time is the best series hands down. Mom4life has the best prices, I think, on sets and free shipping.

http://www.mom4life.com/catalog.php

Then for more info, Harris Communications has some nice things.

Two recommends, Signing Naturally and The Green Book ASL Series on Grammar (teacher edition so you have all the answers). These materials are what lots of colleges use in their signing programs.

Green Book, Grammar:
http://www.harriscomm.com/catalog/produ ... cts_id=910

Signing Naturally:
http://www.harriscomm.com/catalog/produ ... s_id=17596

[inHistiming]

Thanks, Tabitha. I'll be checking out these resources. I appreciate that you went to the trouble to share your knowledge and the links!

[funkmomma71]

My dd and I have taken and will continue to take an ASL class with homeschooling mom who is a certified translater. My dd LOVES ASL, it helps her in so many ways. She will practice her signs when she comes across the word in her phonics program. So it is a reinforcement of what she is learning and it makes learning phonics and new words more fun for her. For more information you can check out www.asluniversity.com it has an actual person, a professor no less, demonstrating the signs. There are lots of everyday signs and of course the alphabet and numbers are also on this site. You can also check-out www.starfall.com for the ASL alphabet. Best wishes!

Nancy

[inHistiming]

Thank you...the online lessons look great. I'll have to try implementing this sometime soon.

[6timeboymom]

have fun! I always think sign language would be a great tool to have.
I would need a good video or personal instructor, though. I can never figure out the signs from the pictures in books!