Kindergarten Readiness for Deaf Children in American Sign Language

[@charkuyrkendall]

Toby O'Hara - there is a crucial difference between the signs for SENTENCE and LANGUAGE. the F handshape for both is used, with one hand in a static position and the other hand moving away for SENTENCE, and both hands moving away from each other simultaneously for LANGUAGE. In SENTENCE, we do not read sentences in both directions simultaneously, so hence that is why one hand stays in one place while other move away, just like we read in one direction. For LANGUAGE, both moving away shows the compassing factors that are all included in language. I hope that helps to clarify the difference between both signs.

[@chriswixtrom6514]

Charlene, That's a great bit of information about the signs! Thank you for explaining that! Check out my KZbin channel, English by Eye, which provides information about multiple-meaning words with ASL storyteller, Trix Bruce

[@ASLInterpreterSHansen]

Hmm...Thanks so much for posting..alot to think about. One thing that stands out to me as an educational interpreter is that the classroom teacher usually has a mix of kids with some kids having strong BICS and are ready for CALPS instruction, but the teacher has a large or larger group of kids who do not have BICS and therefore the classroom predominately functions in a BICS format. Mainstream Bilingual Bicultural programs need a critical mass of students with CALPS and the staff to teach that content in grade appropriate ways in addition to a BICS program for those students to truly receive a FAPE. Too often there is one TOD (Teacher of the Deaf) required to meet all those different skill levels and age levels and the CALPS becomes secondary to the primary task of a BICS program. Thanks for listening. ;o)

[@aslized]

+ASL [e-mail] Feel free to get in touch with Tim Riker via FB and share your thoughts with him.

[@laurelinterprets]

Excellent!

[@virgilioravino1186]

I am deaf.I was my experience my life to continue Prep, grades 6, and 4th years High School then my graduating from P.S.D. after M.c.c.i.d.Ohhh, my neighbor hearing informed me about same country and here in Philippines for K-12 i have PSD deaf Class in K-10 now.Deaf students enrolled at PSD there but I was graduated my 1st to 4th years High School since 2002. I was learning Philippine Sign Language few American Sign Language from my old book for study Home only then I am still traditional signed.My subjects liked to study ASL and English better. I just not done but still continue more learning somethings. My deaf Filipino friends chat with me enjoying it's getting fun and to make in hands. I just have Other Filipino Sign Langauge few not much because hard to understand on them and use to me Sign Exact English. I just watch American Sign Language Hearing and Deaf this video.

[@awti]

Amen!

[@kenthigpen3]

good job!!

[@IsmeldeiSedai]

Deaf people need to get involved in the education of Deaf and hard of hearing children. Most people in charge do not understand or won't see that group of children as a separate culture with their own language. They are seen as a disabled group instead of bilingual. Teachers of the Deaf and hard of hearing need more than one or two signed English classes when getting their education. As an interpreter these are a few things that are wrong with Deaf and hard of hearing education. If more people in the higher up were Deaf I think that would really improve the quality of Deaf and hard of hearing education.

[@mikelupo6142]

I believe fingerspelling should not be used when teaching English to Deaf students. Fingerspelling has its own rules on usage; proper names, titles, brand names, names of places, etc…and should not go beyond that scope. It is like saying that we need to spell in Japanese to teach English vocabulary. The letters in ASL are not shaped and do not look like the letters in written English. Just imagine trying to write out English words by using the Japanese characters. My students visually remember the spelling of English words by the shape of the letters and the words, just as hearing children remember how they sound. We, as adults have taken for granted fingerspelling English words for years but do not realize the mind of a kindergartner is fresh and will not acquire it in the same way we understand it because we already know and understand the differences in the languages. I have seen some research on it, but I need to seen a lot more to be convinced of its effectiveness in language acquisition.

[@DeafPoet2]

Am wondering if there's voice carry over for hearing people to hear this as I want to share this with some hearing people. I can't tell if it is or not cuz I'm deaf, lol! Thanks in advance for replying.

[@anitaheath9688]

DeafPoet2 Yes there is voice carry over

[@DefBlonde2]

Anita Heath Thanks so much Anita! I'm glad to know it's got translation for hearing people! Thanks again!! :-)

[@TobyOHara]

Excellent paper; really well done. I also like that this was a single take. One comment (apologies in advance): using SENTENCE for LANGUAGE was confusing to me. All throughout, I couldn't get used to F-shape instead of L-shape. Maybe I am behind the times.

[@mikelupo6142]

Otherwise, I agree with everything you have presented. :-)