SIGN LANGUAGE 101

You know I LOVE sign language! I’m certainly no expert, but if I can do it, anybody can do it. Let me give you a few reasons why I’m such a believer that sign language is the perfect vehicle for active learning.  It might be a great goal for your class for 2023.

It’s quiet.

It’s multi-sensory.

It’s engaging. (All I have to do is sing a song in sign language and I have children’s undivided attention.)

It’s good for differentiated instruction and for children who are non-English speakers.

It’s free and it’s simple.

It’s like bubblegum. Bubblegum? Yep! We need to figure out how to stick things in the brain, and sign language can provide that connection.

Sign language can be a powerful tool for classroom management.

Sign language can be a strategy to teach children how to communicate with friends and work through conflicts.

Sign language can provide ACTIVE LEARNING for skills and standards!

*Sign letters as you sing alphabet songs.

*Sign spelling words.

*Sign phonics.

*Learn signs for sight words.

*Learn signs for vocabulary words.

SIGN LANGUAGE CENTER

Make a SIGN LANGUAGE CENTER with a pocket folder. Glue a copy of manual signs for letters on the inside of the folder. Write alphabet letters on index cards and place in the pocket. Children choose a card and then try to reproduce that sign. For older children, write sight words or spelling words on index cards for them to practice spelling manually.

SONGS IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH

Here are some of my favorite songs in English and Spanish.

TODAY IS SUNDAY

English

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JsfKTNAL50

Spanish

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qye0EgZwPog

THE WEATHER SONG

English

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDyGRf8ChYc

Spanish

http://bit.ly/drjeanWeatherEspanol

OPPOSITES

English

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOOTu6O_fzw

Spanish

http://bit.ly/drjeanOpuestos

FIVE LITTLE MONKEYS 

English

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBGvyUG7uNY

Spanish

http://bit.ly/drjean_fivemonkeys_espanol 

COUCH POTATO POKEY

English

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jrvcblv1QVw

Spanish

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQuKU52JCnY

COLOR FARM

English

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlgZjI_K8vA

Spanish

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzRLebFyIIc

TRANSITIONS AND CHEERS IN SPANISH

I'm always thrilled when I can offer you translations. Although I can't do it, several years ago Claudia Hernandez translated my favorite attention grabbers and transitions for you. GRACIAS, CLAUDIA!

ATTENTION, PLEASE!

Tootsie Roll
Tootsie roll, (Roll hands around each other.)
Lollipop. (Pretend to lick a lollipop.)
We’ve been talking, (Open and shut fingers.)
Now let’s stop! (Make sign language sign for “stop.”)

Tootsie Roll
Tootsie roll, (Roll hands around each other.)
Chupete. (Pretend to lick a lollipop.)
Hemos estado hablando (Open and shut fingers.)
¡Ahora detengámonos! (Make sign language sign for “stop.”)


Hocus Pocus
Teacher says:
“Hocus Pocus!” (Stick out index finger and circle around like a magic wand.)
Children respond:
“Everybody focus!” (Children make circles with fingers and thumbs and place
around eyes like spectacles.)

Hocus Pocus
Teacher says:
“Hocus Pocus!” (Stick out index finger and circle around like a magic wand.)
Children respond:
“Todos concentrados!” (Children make circles with fingers and thumbs and place
around eyes like spectacles.)

H-A-P-P-Y
Teacher says: Is everybody happy?
Children repeat: Yes, ma’m. H –a- p – p – y. Happy! (Clap on letters.)

F-E-L-I-C-E-S
Teacher says: ¿Están todos felices?
Children repeat: Si, maestra. F-e- l- I -c- e -s. Felices! (Clap on letters.)


Give Me a Clap (Tune: “Addams Family”)
Give me a clap. (Clap twice.)
Give me a clap. (Clap twice.)
Give me a clap, give me a clap,
Give me a clap. (Clap twice.)
Give me a snap. (Snap twice.)
Give me a snap. (Snap twice.)
Now fold your hands and put them down
Into your lap. (Model putting your hands in your lap.)

Give Me a Clap (Tune: “Addams Family”)
Aplaudamos (Clap twice.)
aplaudamos (Clap twice.)
aplaudamos, aplaudamos,
aplaudamos. (Clap twice.)
Tronemos los dedos. (Snap twice)
Tronemos los dedos. (Snap twice)
Dobla tus manos y ahora bájalas
En tu regazo. (Model putting your hands in your lap).


Sit Down Chant
Clap your hands. (Clap 3 times slowly.)
Stomp your feet. (Stomp slowly 3 times.)
Put your bottom
in your seat!

Sit Down Chant
Aplaude. (Clap 3 times slowly.)
Marchando. (Stomp slowly 3 times.)
Siéntate
en tu lugar!


How Does My Teacher Feel About Me?
Teacher says: “How does my teacher feel about me?”
Children respond: “I’m as special as special can be because my teacher believes in me!”

How Does My Teacher Feel About Me?
Teacher says: “¿Qué piensa mi maestra de mí?”
Children respond: ¡Soy más especial de lo que especial puede ser,
porque mi maestro cree en mí!"





Hands on Top
Teacher says: Hands on top. (Place hands on head.)
Students respond: Everybody stop. (Place hands on head and freeze.)

Hands on Top
Teacher says: Manos arriba (Place hands on head.)
Students respond: Todos paramos. (Place hands on head and freeze.)


Criss Cross
Criss cross, (Sit on floor and cross legs.)
Be your own boss. (Fold your arms and nod head.)

Criss Cross
Cruza tus piernas. (Sit on floor and cross legs.)
Tu estás a cargo! (Fold your arms and nod head.)


Sitting Chant
1, 2, 3, 4 - glue your bottoms to the floor.
5, 6, 7, 8 - hands to yourself and sit up straight.

Sitting Chant
1, 2, 3, 4 - siéntate en el piso.
5, 6, 7, 8 - manos en tus piernas y sentado derechito.


I Think I Can
This is a great song to sing to encourage children to always give it a try. It goes to the tune of “If You’re Happy and You Know It.”
I think I can are words I like to say.
I think I can are words I like to say.
In time I’ll get it right if I try with all my might.
I think I can are words I like to say.

“Creo que puedo” son palabras que me gusta decir.
“Creo que puedo” son palabras que me gusta decir.
Con el tiempo lo haré bien, si lo intento y me esfuerzo.
“Creo que puedo” son palabras que me gusta decir.

CHEERS IN SPANISH THANKS TO CARLA URENO (El Paso ISD)

P.S. And thanks to Teacher Toni for updating the graphics. She made them the perfect size to put on a ring.

file:///Users/jeanfeld/Downloads/Class_Cheers_2020_Spanish.pdf

                                            

¡Que las disfruten! 




Here is a video where you can watch me demonstrate many of the cheers.

                                      

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWPA-jYdWe8

ELL GAMES

These games can easily be adapted for different languages. The advantage of a game is that two children can play them together and help each other. Repetition is also important and these games can be played multiple times or sent home for practice with parents.


Peeking Puppies
Cut puppies out of construction paper using the attached pattern. Write the word in Spanish on the body of the puppy. Fold down the ear and write the word in English under the ear. Children identify the word and then self-check by “peeking” under the ear.

Sock Match
Cut matching socks out of construction paper. Write a word in English on one sock and the Spanish translation on another sock. Mix the socks up in a bag. Children find the matching socks and clothespin them together.

Flippers
Cut 4” circles out of poster board or fun foam. Write the word in Spanish on one side and the English translation on the other side. Children will need a pancake turner/spatula to play the game. Spread the circles on the table. Children read the word and translate. Then they flip over the circle to check their response on the back. 

Stretch and Match
You will need heavy cardboard cut in 5” x 8” rectangles. Cut notches in each of the long sides as shown. Write a word in Spanish by each notch on the left side. Write a word in English by each notch on the right side. Children stretch rubber bands between matching words. Draw lines between correct answers on the back so children can self-check.

Poke and Peek
Cut simple shapes out of poster board (cars, animals, plants, etc.) Punch holes around the edge of the shape. Write a word in English by each hole on one side of the shape. On the reverse side write the word in Spanish by the appropriate hole. Children take a straw or pencil and insert it by a word. After translating the word, they flip the shape over and check their response on the back.
Hint! Children could also play this game with a friend. 

SIGN LANGUAGE
I would love to see someone do a study on using sign language as a strategy for learning a second language. Sign language could provide a physical and multi sensory bridge for making connections between two languages.

LANGUAGE LEARNING FUN

An ELL is defined as anyone who does not learn English as their first and primary language. According to the National Education Association, ELL learners are the fastest growing student population. It’s estimated that roughly one-fourth of all students in public school by 2025 will be ELLs.

Here are three keys for teaching a second language (or anything for that matter!):

1st TPR – Total Physical Response
The more senses you activate and the more you engage children physically and mentally, the more likely the message will get to the brain and stay in the brain. Say it, move it, sing it, act it!

2nd If You Want to Catch a Rabbit, You Have to Have a Rabbit Trap!
You’ve got to engage children’s attention and interest before you can teach them anything. Games and hands-on activities are one of the best ways to capture their interest.

3rd Hooks and Repeat
You have to hook new learning to something that is already in the brain to make those connections. And, you have to repeat things over and over and over again to make those pathways firm.


I Spy!
This is an old game, but it could easily be played using words for colors and shapes of a second language.
Example: I spy something rojo!

Touch Something
The teacher says a word (color, shape, object) and the children have to walk around the room and touch something that matches the word.


Simon Says
Change the words of Simon Says to reinforce body parts.
Example: Simons says put your hands on your cabeza.


Musical Words
Write vocabulary words on paper plates and place them on the floor. (You might want to write the word in Spanish in red on one side and the word in English in blue on the opposite side.) Play some catchy music and tell the children to dance around. When the music stops, the children find a plate and pick it up. The children silently read their word and translate it. The teacher randomly points to several children to identify their word and tell what it means. The children then put the plates on the floor and the dancing continues.

Four Square
Fold a sheet of paper into fourths. Open and trace over the creased line. In the upper right corner write the word in English. In the upper left corner write the word in Spanish. In the bottom right corner the children illustrate the word. In the last section they write sentences using the word.

Paper Plate Puzzles
Cut paper plates into thirds. Write a word in English on one third. Write the word in Spanish on another section. Draw a picture clue in the third section. Mix up pieces. Children put the puzzles together and read the words.
*Hint! You could use puzzlers for number words, color words, animals, foods, etc

FAMILY ACTIVITY CALENDARS EN ESPANOL

I'm so glad that a teacher sent an email asking about the activity calendars in Spanish because I had forgotten all about them.  I know many of you have children who speak Spanish in their homes and are looking for activities.  Gabriela Davila Anaya from St. Joseph School in El Paso translated these for my September, 2014, website. Please check it out and share!

           calendarios familiares en español

My webmaster (Alex May) has also created some videos with my songs in English as well as Spanish that some of your families might enjoy.

Weather Song in English
canción del tiempo en español

 

Opuestos

Opposites

Hoy es Domingo by Dr. Jean

 

Five Little Monkeys

Cinco pequenos monos por Dr. Jean

                                                                 Diverterse!

DIY FLIP THE PANCAKE

Here’s another self-check game that can be used at the beginning of the year for learning friends’ names and later on for phonics and math.

What? spatula or pancake turner, corrugated cardboard, fun foam, markers, students’ pictures

Why? names, letters, sounds, math facts, contractions, antonyms, etc.

When? Small group, center

How? Cut 3 ½” circles out of cardboard or fun foam. Write uppercase letters on one side and lowercase letters on the other. Place the circles on the floor or a table. Children name the letter on one side, and then flip it over to self-check.

*Write words on one side and glue matching pictures on the back.

*Write children’s names on one side and glue their picture on back.

    

                                                       
*Put pictures on one side and initial consonants or vowels on back.

*Write questions on the front and the answer on the reverse side.

*Write antonyms on opposite sides.

*Write two words on the front and the contraction on the back.

*Write the word in Spanish on one side and the English translation on the back.

DIY MY MESSY HOUSE

This game can be adapted to a variety of skills. It’s an activity your students will WANT to do over and over.

What? colored construction paper or card stock, spring clothespins, markers, scissors, string

Why? sight words, letters, numerals, shapes, etc.

When? Small group, learning center, partner

How? Cut clothes out of construction paper and write skills on them. Tie a string (clothesline) between two chairs. Spread the clothes on the floor as you say, “My house is so messy. Who can help me clean it up?” Children take turns choosing an item, identifying the information, and then hanging it on the clothesline.

https://www.drive.google.com/file/d/0B1SnEagA4jljSDk1Z2ZjUldqSlU/view?usp=sharing

*Put days of the week on the clothes for the children to hang up in order.

*Write numbers (1-10 whatever you are working on) for the children to put in order.

*Write words in Spanish on some clothes and words in English on others. Children hang up the ones that go together.

FELIZ NAVIDAD Y DECEMBER HAPPIES

Today you'll find the preview for our December Happies on my website.

                           

Start each day off right by singing “Feeling Fine” and doing a handshake like the hamburger or the 4-H hello.


Cheer your students on with a brain hug, rollercoaster cheer, or cheese and grater.
                                 

Grab their attention with “How does my teacher feel about me?”

And use “Open, Shut Them” and “Miss Molly” to engage their hands, eyes, and ears.

We’ve got videos of all of these, plus science experiments for the senses, a math game, and tips for scissor skills. And how could you get through December without “Jingle Bells”?
                                                                  
We hope you’ll be LAUGHING ALL THE WAY with these free activities!

FELIZ NAVIDAD

People frequently ask us for activities in Spanish. I’m excited to tell you that my webmaster (Alex May) had created two new videos just for you!

“Weather Song” http://bit.ly/drjeanWeatherEspanol

“Opposites” http://bit.ly/drjeanOpuestos

Here's my Facebook video I did on "December Happies"   http://bit.ly/drjeanDecHappies

SECONDS FOR LEL

Here are more center activities and games for learning a second language. Yep! You've seen them all before, but did you ever think about using them for practicing a second language?

By the way, have you found this website? (Finding a useful, meaningful, and free website is like finding a gold nugget, isn't it?)
https://esl.brainpop.com
Peeking Puppies
Cut puppies out of construction paper using the attached pattern. Write the word in Spanish on the body of the puppy. Fold down the ear and write the word in English under the ear. Children identify the word and then self-check by “peeking” under the ear.        

                               

Sock Match
Cut matching socks out of construction paper. Write a word in English on one sock and the Spanish translation on another sock. Mix the socks up in a bag. Children find the matching socks and clothespin them together.

Flippers
Cut 4” circles out of poster board or fun foam. Write the word in Spanish on one side and the English translation on the other side. Children will need a pancake turner/spatula to play the game. Spread the circles on the table. Children read the word and translate. Then they flip over the circle to check their response on the back.        

                                                      

Stretch and Match
You will need heavy cardboard cut in 5” x 8” rectangles. Cut notches in each of the long sides as shown. Write a word in Spanish by each notch on the left side. Write a word in English by each notch on the right side. Children stretch rubber bands between matching words. Draw lines between correct answers on the back so children can self-check.

Poke and Peek
Cut simple shapes out of poster board (cars, animals, plants, etc.) Punch holes around the edge of the shape. Write a word in English by each hole on one side of the shape. On the reverse side write the word in Spanish by the appropriate hole. Children take a straw or pencil and insert it by a word. After translating the word, they flip the shape over and check their response on the back.
Hint! Children could also play this game with a friend.    

                                    
Memory
Use 3” x 5” index cards to make this game. Write a word in English on one card and the corresponding word in Spanish on another card. Place the card face down on a table. Children take turns choosing two cards at a time and trying to match up words.

LANGUAGE LEARNING FUN

The number of English Language Learners is growing rapidly in our schools.  I’m certainly no expert at this, but these are some activities that I think could easily be adapted to learning a second language. Often when I do workshops a teacher will say, “Do you have any ideas for LEL students?” It’s funny, but almost every project I demonstrate I say, “You know you could use this by….”

Here are three keys to teaching a second language (or anything for that matter!):

1st TPR – Total Physical Response
The more senses you activate and the more you engage children physically and mentally, the more likely the message will get to the brain and stay in the brain. Say it, move it, sing it, act it!

2nd If You Want to Catch a Rabbit, You Have to Have a Rabbit Trap!
You’ve got to engage children’s attention and interest before you can teach them anything. Games and hands-on activities are one of the best ways to capture their interest.

3rd Hooks and Repeat
You have to hook new learning to something that is already in the brain to make those connections. And, you have to repeat things over and over and over again to make those pathways firm.

I Spy!
This is an old game, but it could easily be played using words for colors and shapes of a second language.
Example: I spy something rojo!
              
Touch Something
The teacher says a word (color, shape, object) and the children have to walk around the room and touch something that matches the word.

Simon Says
Change the words of Simon Says to reinforce body parts.
Example: Simons says put your hands on your cabeza.

Musical Words
Write vocabulary words on paper plates and place them on the floor. (You might want to write the word in Spanish in red on one side and the word in English in blue on the opposite side.) Play some catchy music and tell the children to dance around. When the music stops, the children find a plate and pick it up. The children silently read their word and translate it. The teacher randomly points to several children to identify their word and tell what it means. The children then put the plates on the floor and the dancing continues.
                                     
Show Me
Each child has a set of vocabulary cards that they place on their desk or on the floor. As the teacher calls out a word, the children find it and hold it up in the air. (You could vary this by calling out the word in English, saying it in Spanish, giving a definition, and so forth.)        
                      Flip Books
Fold a sheet of paper in half lengthwise (hotdog). Fold in half widthwise (hamburger). Fold once again (juice box). Open. Cut down on the three creased lines to the center fold.  Fold in half. Write the word in Spanish on the front of the flip and the word in English under the flip.                                                                                                                  

 





     







Four Square
Fold a sheet of paper into fourths. Open and trace over the creased line. In the upper right corner write the word in English. In the upper left corner write the word in Spanish. In the bottom right corner the children illustrate the word. In the last section they write sentences using the word.
                                       

Paper Plate Puzzles
Cut paper plates into thirds. Write a word in English on one third. Write the word in Spanish on another section. Draw a picture clue in the third section. Mix up pieces. Children put the puzzles together and read the words.
*Hint! You could use puzzlers for number words, color words, animals, foods, etc