Visual Reading

Has anyone ordered materials from Signs Across America? The resources look phenomenal. There are interactive storybooks using voice and sign. Recently, I found out pop up books are a favorite of babies. I can only imagine how these interactive sign books can have a positive cognitive impact on babies. Below is a sample from the website. Share your thoughts if you order or have used these books!

Gallaudet University

Visiting Gallaudet University is the best experience. Get totally immersed in the deaf culture. Did you know it is the world's only university for deaf and hard of hearing students? One of many thanks for GU is to President Ab Lincoln signing the Act of Congress in 1864.

Football season is done, but next time cheer on the Bison team. That was one of my favorite experiences during my visit. 

Mapquest the location and drive on over...
800 Florida Avenue, NE
Washington, DC 20002-3695
www.gallaudet.edu

Presents!!! Sign Gifts...

Looking for a fun unique gift or know someone who signs or is deaf and looking for an awesome gift??? Here are my thoughts... click on the link to purchase. ***I receive zero profit from these sites. This is just my sign research I am sharing. 

For the guy who loves is girl ...   
Endless Love Ring is the name of the ring above. 












For the child or adult who loves board games ... 

See It and Sign It is the name of the game.


















For the ornament lover ....  
Cherub Ornament "Right hand signs "I Love You", as this innocent angel kneels as in diligent watchfulness, creating an atmosphere of guardianship and love. "




















For a best friend, interpreter, love ...                                                               Sterling Silver Charms that will never go out of style or lose their meaning. 

For the chef lover! Customize your own apron. There are different styles and colors. Here's an example: 

This apron says, "Kiss the Chef" in sign language.

For the t-shirt lover ... 
There are so many t-shirts to choose from so select the one that best fits your lucky gift receiver or especially for YOU!
There's also stickers, mugs, sweatshirts, journals, bags, mouse pads, coasters, magnets and sooo many more fun items! 
THIS IS A FUN WEBSITE TO BUY PRESENTS FOR YOURSELF OR FOR OTHERS!

Government Signs

Do you work for the government? Several family members of mine work for the government and I came across this site ... http://www.needsoutreach.org/Pages/sign-Gov.html

Excellent visuals and well organized. The vocabulary word is shown. Click on the picture again and you will see the English sentence with the ASL sentence signed. Watching the ASL sentence structure is a great learning tool. Check it out!

Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving: (version 1)
Do a "double handed" "double thank-you."

Abe Lincoln Signing?!?!

Have you ever been to Washington, D.C. to see the statue of Abe Lincoln? It was created by Daniel Chester French. If you look closely at his hands you will see one hand in the shape of the sign language letter "A" and the other hand lifted slightly into the sign language shape "L." Yes, Abe Lincoln supported higher education for all people during his Presidency, which supported the college for the deaf to be established, presently known as Gallaudet University! It is not directly stated by French that he created the statue on purpose to show the sign letters "A" and "L." However, since he was a creative artist with knowledge of the manual sign language alphabet, how could he have not intended to shape Lincoln's hands as such?!?!

 

After all, if you click on French's name above you will read that he created the statue below FIRST, before Abe Lincoln's statue above. The statue represents a teacher signing the letter "a" to a student who is modeling. 

 

Signing to Babies

Sign space is important when using American Sign Language as a second language (or first language). When teaching babies sign language or person who has limited mobility or fine motor skills, observe how the child interprets the sign. Signing the word water requires your dominant hand to be in the shape of the letter W using your pointer, middle and ring finger. Move the W shape to your mouth tapping your pointer finger underneath your bottom lip. You have now signed the word, water. Check out www.aslpro.com dictionary for a visual. As the parent or teacher, always sign the word correctly. However, if a child signs water closer to their nose or cheek, uses all five fingers instead of three or taps under their chin understand this non verbal communication as water. The formality of the word can be learned later as the child develops. In the meantime, allow flexibility with the sign.