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Category: How to Teach
This category is a compilation of all the “How to Teach” lessons.
How to Teach: Nouns
There are a few phases to teaching the signs for nouns. In this lesson, we’ll find out what they are.
Phase One
Step One
Sign “What is that?” :
Step one – point to the object
Step two – sign “what” with lowered, questioning eyebrows.Step Two
Point to the object and sign the corresponding sign.
After you do this for a week, start phase two of teaching. In phase two, the steps are as follows.
Phase Two
Step One
Sign “What is that?”
Step Two
Make them sign the object’s sign. Help them form the sign with their hand until they can do it on their own.
Step Three
Point to the object and sign the corresponding sign.
This is the final phase. This begins after the child regularly signs in response to the signed question and, hopefully, uses that sign independently to express their want/need.
Phase Three
Step One
Sign “What is that?”
Step Two
Wait till they sign it before smiling and giving Indian head-bobble ascent.
This can be a positive, game-like activity. You could teach the kids to play this as a game with each other.
For nouns to teach with this method, go to the category “Sign Language Dictionary – Topical” and then the subcategory “Nouns.”
Or click here.
How to teach: Hallelujah and Teaching Children to Worship
This is simple but profound. We were made for worship. The Bible commands us concerning worship: “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!” (Ps 150:6) We are all called to worship Him, for the sake of His glory: “Honor the Lord for the glory of his name. Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.” (Ps 29:2) And this command is even accompanied with raising up our hands: “Lift up your hands… and bless the Lord!” (Ps 134:2)
In this lesson, we’re going to learn the simplified version of “Hallelujah” (praise The Lord) and how to teach it to the children so they can partake in worship.
Phase One
Teaching this is simple. When a worship song is sung and/ or when the children are dancing in praise, sign “Hallelujah” with raised, questioning eyebrows and smiles.
Repeat the sign with neutral, statement eyebrows.
Phase Two
When a worship song is sung and/ or when the children are dancing in praise, sign “Hallelujah” with raised, questioning eyebrows and smiles.
Help the child sign it till they can do it on their own.
Phase Three
When a worship song is sung and/ or when the children are dancing in praise, sign “Hallelujah” with raised, questioning eyebrows, and smiles.
Require the child to respond with the sign.
How to Teach: Health (dirty, wash, clean)
Words hold concepts. By teaching words, we teach concepts to the children. An essential concept is that of health. By teaching them the concepts of dirtiness, washing, and cleaness, and the corresponding negativity of dirtiness and positivity of cleanliness, we give them, ultimately, the concept of good health.
There are a few phases to teaching the signs for dirty, wash, and clean. In this lesson, we’ll find out what they are.
Phase One
Step One
Before you wash the children, sign “dirty” with a negative expression on your face.
Then sign “wash” with raised, questioning eyebrows.
(This is asking them “Do you need to be washed?”)
Step Two
While you wash them, occasionally sign the word for wash with natural, statement eyebrows and a positive expression and attitude.
Step Three
When you have finished washing the child sign “wash finished.”
Then sign “clean” with raised, questioning eyebrows followed by “clean” with neutral, statement eyebrows.
After you do this for a week, start phase two of teaching. In phase two, the steps are as follows.
Phase Two
Step One
Before you wash the children, sign “dirty” with a negative expression on your face.
Have the child also sign “dirty.” Help them form the sign with their hands till they can do it on their own.
Step Two
Then sign “wash” with raised, questioning eyebrows.
And have the child sign “wash” in response.
Step Three
While you wash them, occasionally sign the word for wash with natural, statement eyebrows and a positive expression and attitude.
Step Four
When you are finished washing them, sign “wash finished.” And then “clean.”
Have the child sign “clean” too.
This is the final phase. This begins after the child regularly signs in response to the signed question and, hopefully, uses that sign independently to express their want/need.
Phase Three
Step One
Before you wash the children, sign “dirty” with a negative expression on your face.
Wait for the child to sign “dirty.”
Step Two
Then sign “wash” with raised, questioning eyebrows.
And wait for the child to sign “wash” in response.
Step Three
While you wash them, occasionally sign the word for wash with natural, statement eyebrows and a positive expression and attitude.
Step Four
When you are finished washing them, sign “wash finished.” And then “clean.”
Wait for the child to sign “clean” too, and wobble your head in approval.
How to Teach: Expressing Want
In this section, we will not only learn how to teach the word want, but also how to express who is the one wanting and what they want. This is the first explanation of a subject-directobject-verb sentence. In this section we will learn the following:
– You want that?
– You want that.
– I want that.
– No
– Ok
– Wait
Phase One
Step One
When you recognize they want something, sign “You want that?”
To do this:
1. Sign “you” (point to them)
2. Sign “that” (point to what they want)
3. Sign “want”Step Two
At this point, you have two choices for what to do:
1. If they are not supposed to have what they want. Sign “no”
2. If they are allowed to have what they want, bobble your head to show them you understand them and either give it to them (if you have it) or sign “wait,” get it, and give it to them.
After you do this for a week, start phase two of teaching. In phase two, the steps are as follows.
Phase Two
Step One
When you recognize they want something, sign “You want that?”
Step Two
Make them sign “I want that.” Help them form the signs with their hand until they can do it on their own.
Step Three
At this point, you have two choices for what to do:
1. If they are not supposed to have what they want. Sign “no”
2. If they are allowed to have what they want, bobble your head to show them you understand them and either give it to them (if you have it) or sign “wait,” get it, and give it to them.
This is the final phase. This begins after the child regularly signs in response to the signed question and, hopefully, uses that sign independently to express their want/need.
Phase Three
Step One
When you recognize they want something, sign “You want that?”
Step Two
Wait till they sign it before responding.
How to Teach: Expressing Beatings
In this section, we will not only learn how to teach the word hit, but also how to express who hit who and respond to that. We will also find out how to request and give forgiveness. In this section we will learn the following:
– He/she hit you.
– You hit him/her
– He/she hit me
– No
– Don’t hit
– You ask her for forgiveness
– Forgive me
– I forgive you
Phase One
Step One
When you see one child hit another child:
Sign to the child who was hit – “That person hit you.”
To do this:
1. Sign “that person” (point to the child who hit)
2. Sign “you” (point to the child who was hit)
3. Sign “hit”Step Two
Sign to the child who hit – “You hit that person.”
To do this:
1. Sign “you” (point to the child who hit)
2. Sign “that person” (point to the child was hit)
3. Sign “hit”Step Three
Sign to the child who hit: “No. Don’t hit.”
Do this by:
1. Signing “no”
2. Shaking your head no while signing “hit.”Step Four
Sign to the child who hit: “Ask for that person’s forgiveness.”
1. Sign “you” (point to the child you’re addressing)
2. Sign “him/her” (point to the child he/she hit)
3. Sign “ask”
4. Sign “forgive me.”Step Five
Help the child who hit sign “forgive me.” and help the child who was hit sign “I forgive you.”
“I forgive you” is signed:
1. Sign “me”
2. Sign “you”
3. Sign “forgive”
After you do this for a week, start phase two of teaching. In phase two, the steps are as follows.
Step One
When you see one child hit another child:
Sign to the child who was hit – “That person hit you.”
Step Two
Sign to the child who hit – “You hit that person.”
Step Three
Sign to the child who hit: “No. Don’t hit.”
Step Four
Sign to the child who hit: “Ask for that person’s forgiveness.”
Step Five
Wait for them to sign “Forgive me” and “I forgive you.” Help them as necessary.
Have them hug in reconciliation,
This is the final phase. This begins after the child regularly signs in response to the signed question and, hopefully, uses that sign independently to express their want/need.
Phase Three
Step One
When you see that a child is hit or that child expresses being hit, sign to the child who hit “No. Don’t hit. Ask forgiveness.”
Step Two
Variations:
“Stop hitting” variation: If the child is hitting another child as you are watching, sign the one-handed negatively expressed “finish.” to mean “stop it!” Then proceed to the asking forgiveness part.
Hitting is wrong Variation: This can be a great opportunity to teach them the difference between right and wrong. This can be expressed after their reconciliation by signing:
Hitting bad (with negative expression)
Hugging good (with positive expression)
In addition: This is also a great opportunity to teach them to ask God for forgiveness. See lesson entitled: “How to Teach: Asking God’s Forgiveness.”
How to Teach: Thanking God
There are a few phases to teaching the sign for “Thank You, God.” In this lesson, we’ll find out what they are.
Phase One
Step One
After a meal is served and after a meal is eaten, when a gift is received, or a beautiful lizard or sunset is seen… simply, in any situation where it is appropriate to thank God, sign “Thank You, God.”
After you do this for a week, start phase two of teaching. In phase two, the steps are as follows.
Phase Two
Step One
At appropriate times, sign “Thank You, God.”
Step Two
Make them sign the sign. Help them form the sign with their hand until they can do it on their own.
This is the final phase. This begins after the child regularly signs in response to the signed question and, hopefully, uses that sign independently to express their want/need.
Phase Three
Step One
At appropriate times, sign “Thank You, God.”
Step Two
Wait till they sign before you give it to them.
How to Teach: Signing Thank You
There are a few phases to teaching the for “Thank you.” In this lesson, we’ll find out what they are.
Phase One
Step One
After giving them something, changing their diaper, or helping them with something, sign “thank you.” with raised, questioning eyebrows.
(This essentially means “Say thank you.”)
Step Two
Sign “You’re welcome.”
After you do this for a week, start phase two of teaching. In phase two, the steps are as follows.
Phase Two
Step One
After giving them something, changing their diaper, or helping them with something, sign “thank you.” with raised, questioning eyebrows.
Step Two
Make them sign the sign. Help them form the sign with their hand until they can do it on their own.
Step Three
Sign “You’re welcome.”
This is the final phase. This begins after the child regularly signs in response to the signed question and, hopefully, uses that sign independently to express their want/need.
Phase Three
Step One
After giving them something, changing their diaper, or helping them with something, sign “thank you.” with raised, questioning eyebrows.
Step Two
Wait till they sign it before signing back “You’re welcome.”
How to Teach: The Sign for More
There are a few phases to teaching the sign for “more.” In this lesson, we’ll find out what they are.
Phase One
Step One
Before giving them more of something, sign “more” with raised, questioning eyebrows.
(This means “Do you want more?”)
Step Two
When you give them more, sign “more” again with neutral, statement eyebrow position.
Step Three
When they are finished, sign “finished.”
After you do this for a week, start phase two of teaching. In phase two, the steps are as follows.
Phase Two
Step One
Before giving them more of something, sign “more” with raised, questioning eyebrows.
Step Two
Make them sign the sign. Help them form the sign with their hand until they can do it on their own.
Step Three
When you give them more, sign “more” again with neutral, statement eyebrow position.
Step Four
When they are finished, sign “finished.”
This is the final phase. This begins after the child regularly signs in response to the signed question and, hopefully, uses that sign independently to express their want/need.
Phase Three
Step One
Before giving them more of something, sign “more” with raised, questioning eyebrows.
Step Two
Wait till they sign before you give it to them.
Step Three
When they are finished, sign “finished.”
How to Teach: Sign for Diaper Change
There are a few phases to teaching the sign for diaper change. In this lesson, we’ll find out what they are.
Phase One
Step One
Before giving them a diaper change, make the sign with your eyebrows up.
(This means “Do you need a diaper change?”)
Step Two
While changing their diaper, sign the word for diaper change.
Step Three
When they are finished, sign “finished.”
After you do this for a week, start phase two of teaching. In phase two, the steps are as follows.
Phase Two
Step One
Before giving them a diaper change, make the sign with your eyebrows up.
Step Two
Make them sign the sign. Help them form the sign with their hand until they can do it on their own.
Step Three
While changing their diaper, sign the word for diaper change.
Step Four
When you are finished, sign “finished.”
This is the final phase. This begins after the child regularly signs in response to the signed question and, hopefully, uses that sign independently to express their want/need.
Phase Three
Step One
Before giving them a diaper change, make the sign with your eyebrows up.
Step Two
Wait till they sign before you give it to them.
Step Three
When you are finished, sign “finished.”
Raising Hands Signs 