Using sign language in teaching a song is a great method to help teach and reinforce the words to the song, especially for the younger children. It also is a way to incorporate movement while the children keep their focus on you while concentrating on learning the song. "Stand for the Right" is a very easy song to teach with sign language.
Now, the true American Sign Language (ASL) has a different syntax than the spoken English, that is, the sentence structure is not spoken the same as the English speaking sentence structure a.k.a grammar. Because true sign language will not match up with how one speaks the spoken word, or in this case sings the words, it can sometimes be confusing for children who want to relate the sign they are doing to the word(s) they are actually singing. For this reason, I tend to teach sign language using what is known as Pidgin Signed English (PSE). This combines English syntax with ASL signs; in essence, combining many signs from ASL but using it with a sentence structure more closely related to English. This is actually a very common way for hearing signers whose first language is English and who doesn't sign on a regular basis as well, to sign with those who are deaf, and those who are deaf are very adept at understanding and using this form of English signing. At least, this is what I have been told by those I know who are deaf.
Being that English is my first language and I am not deaf and the children in my Primary being the same, I am comfortable with not teaching signing in its truest sense, but teaching it in a way that is easier for non-signers to understand with the way they speak by using PSE. The reason I am explaining this is so you know another way to sign and also can understand how I write out my cheat sheets I have made for songs that I teach signing for in case your preference is to teach true ASL; the cheat sheets are written in the order of PSE—signing in the order we sing the words—not ASL.
Here is a PSE cheat sheet file I have made for the simple signs for "Stand for the Right". It is laid out in a column format; you read down the first column of the page on the left and then down the right column before going to the next page. The JR's love to do things with their hands and the kiddos will pick it up quickly—well, as for me, that's another story.
Now, the true American Sign Language (ASL) has a different syntax than the spoken English, that is, the sentence structure is not spoken the same as the English speaking sentence structure a.k.a grammar. Because true sign language will not match up with how one speaks the spoken word, or in this case sings the words, it can sometimes be confusing for children who want to relate the sign they are doing to the word(s) they are actually singing. For this reason, I tend to teach sign language using what is known as Pidgin Signed English (PSE). This combines English syntax with ASL signs; in essence, combining many signs from ASL but using it with a sentence structure more closely related to English. This is actually a very common way for hearing signers whose first language is English and who doesn't sign on a regular basis as well, to sign with those who are deaf, and those who are deaf are very adept at understanding and using this form of English signing. At least, this is what I have been told by those I know who are deaf.
Being that English is my first language and I am not deaf and the children in my Primary being the same, I am comfortable with not teaching signing in its truest sense, but teaching it in a way that is easier for non-signers to understand with the way they speak by using PSE. The reason I am explaining this is so you know another way to sign and also can understand how I write out my cheat sheets I have made for songs that I teach signing for in case your preference is to teach true ASL; the cheat sheets are written in the order of PSE—signing in the order we sing the words—not ASL.
Here is a PSE cheat sheet file I have made for the simple signs for "Stand for the Right". It is laid out in a column format; you read down the first column of the page on the left and then down the right column before going to the next page. The JR's love to do things with their hands and the kiddos will pick it up quickly—well, as for me, that's another story.
Great! My primary kids love learning sign language with the songs. It is a great way to help cement the words in their body, mind and heart. :) I love your cheat sheets.
ReplyDeleteI stumbled upon your blog and have been "checking in" for awhile now. I was thrilled to read your post on ASL and teaching kids primary songs in ASL. My BFF's daughter is deaf and it is so fun when other kids can communicate with her, even if it is only in song.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to tell you about a fun incentive program my ward has begun using for our Primary kids. They are plastic tags, "brag tags" that have fun images on them to encourage participation in anything from saying prayers to learning the Articles of Faith. This program is so fun for kids and motivates them with a simple inexpensive reward they can keep and wear or show any day of the week. Several kids in my primary class have already earned tags for being reverent and for bringing their scriptures. I found them at www.boostpromotions.com/lds. I think your followers will love these for their primary kids also! Renee
Those look like fun. That would be cool if they came up with some that go along with the songs being learned. Now, you've got me thinking.
DeleteThank you, this is a much easier way for me to learn. Do you happen to have a PSE cheat sheet for Beautiful Savior, or can you tell me where to find one?
ReplyDeleteI too like a visual to help me learn, so I usually make me one so I can take it with me wherever I go so as I'm learning it I can take a look if I get stuck on one of them. I like to have my signing down before I teach the children. And, I just so happen to have one for "Beautiful Savior". I taught this song last year as one of the "your choice" songs to pick and we did the signing in the program. It was beautiful to watch the children do this with gracefulness while hearing them sing about our Beautiful Savior. It even brought tears to my eyes. When do you need it by? I was actually going to post it for April since the topic is about Jesus and that month is Easter time. I will probably need to clean up the file a little before I do. I do like to sign. It is probably the Hawaiian in me since it reminds me of the gracefulness of the "lovely hula hands" in telling a story to music.
DeleteThank you so much for coming up with the PSE cheat sheet! I wanted to do an easy song in sign language, and your cheat sheet makes it super easy to teach!! Can you make up a cheat sheet for President Hinckley's 6 B's also? I would like to teach that to the children too, since they will be learning the signs for Stand for the Right.
ReplyDeleteI don't have a cheat sheet for the 6 B's. Now that you mentioned it, it would be nice to have one, but unfortunately, I don't think I will have any time soon to make one. You could go to this site to look them up though. This is where I usually get the pictures from for my cheat sheets.
Deletehttp://www.signingsavvy.com/
Wonderful signing. . .I am a Hearing Impaired Assistant as a Middle School for a Hard of Hearing boy and we use pigeon all the time!! For Primary we have been using sign language and the children in both primary's pick up much quicker on the words when we use sign. Love everything you have on here and the use of 'Children Friends' pictures.
ReplyDeleteWe are working on Beautiful Savior this month along with Stand for the Right so that we can sing it for Easter (without the frills) we will then add the niceties in April as we continue to work on it for the Sac. Presentation. They did great yesterday singing it for the first time. I love this song. I will look forward to your post with the cheat sheet. Thanks a ton!
ReplyDeleteI noticed that on signingsavvy.com, where it looks like you got your pictures for the signs, they have different ones for darkness and light, but all the others are the same as you have. Do you know why they are different and which ones are better for this song?
ReplyDelete