Using American Sign Language Signs to Help Your Struggling Learners in Social Studies and Science



Posted: Sunday, March 22, 2009

by Kim Taylor-DiLeva
http://www.kimssigningsolutions.com

Science and Social Studies vocabulary are essential to the students' understanding of that subject. If unfamiliar words hinder their understanding of sentences, they will not be able to learn anything about that specific topic. Therefore, learning new vocabulary is the most important step to learning the material in its entirety. Unfortunately, many students struggle with learning vocabulary, usually because they learn best visually or kinesthetically. These struggling learners, as well as more advanced students, can better recall key Social Studies and Science terms more easily, if they are introduced to the American Sign Language signs that match those vocabulary words.

Many American Sign Language signs are iconic in nature, meaning that the signs are a visual representation of their meaning. For example, the word "independence" is used often in Social Studies and History courses. In American Sign Language, you would use the sign for "free." To show this sign, begin with both hands in fists facing toward you, crossed, and locked at the wrists. Then unlock your wrists, turn your fists around so they are out to the open and continue to open your arms so that they no longer touch and are separated from each other. Visually, your hands appear tied or bound and when your arms open, it represents freedom because your hands are no longer locked as before. For those who learn best visually, this representation is helpful because they are physically presented with the word's meaning. For students who are kinesthetic learners, they are able to use their bodies to express the definition of a new vocabulary word. Therefore, especially for these students, new words will be easier to understand than if you were to only say the new word and tell them what it means. This method of incorporating American Sign Language signs into vocabulary lessons will help all of your learners, but will especially benefit your struggling learners.

This example shows that as the teacher, you can create a more effective means of teaching to formulate better recall and recognition of new vocabulary words in your Social Studies and Science units, specifically among your visual and kinesthetic learners. By simply teaching sign language signs in conjunction with your daily routine and curriculum, struggling learners will become more confident in their knowledge of the material, leading to further success.

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