Description

Download the requirements for the sign language award by clicking on the download link above.

Level: Helping Hand (4th grade)
Category: Arts and Crafts
Section: My World

Sign Language

1. Learn the manual alphabet used by the deaf, and the rules pertaining to it.
2. Learn how to send and receive words using the manual alphabet.
3. Learn at least 50 words.
4. Learn and present at least one simple Christian song.
5. Where possible, have the Adventurers meet a deaf person and sign with them.
6. Sign a simple Bible verse.

Helps
1. As available (from your local Association of the Deaf), use two-sided manual alphabet cards. That way the children can see what the signs look like from both the sender’s and receiver’s angle.
2. First they can have fun learning to spell their names. Print words on a sheet of paper and then have the children take turns spelling and receiving the words. Have children get in groups of two and send and receive words of their choice.
3. Words young people really like to learn are the animals and foods. TheJoy of Signing is a good book for learning these signs, as well as other signs. It gives both a word and a picture description of each sign. It also tells the sign’s origin (example: Jesus—origin: indicating the nail prints).
4. “Jesus Loves Me” and “Into My Heart” are two examples. Remember to explain the origins when needed.
5. Have someone from your deaf community come in and share a bit of their life with the children, and teach them a few words. This will really bring this award to life.

Resources

• nad.org
  Website for the National Association of the Deaf
• The Joy of Signing by Lottie Riekshof (Gospel Publishing, 1987)