A training sequence is presented for teaching the manual alphabet beginning with the hand shapes that look most like the letters they represent. Each manual letter is then paired with an associated word. (CL)

The manual is intended as a course resource to help hearing secondary students learn to communicate with deaf peers or family members. The total communication approach is described and reasons for its use advanced. An introductory section explains the philosophy, general goals, and program objectives of the course. Ten lesson plans are then…

The authors describe the results from a study using sign language and the manual alphabet to improve spelling skills of learning disabled second graders. (SBH)

Aspects considered include whether and when to initiate auxiliary communication skill instruction, which auxiliary communication systems should be taught, which vocabulary items should comprise the initial communication content, and what instructional considerations should be made when attempting to teach auxiliary communication skills to severely…

The manual teaches SignFont, a written form of sign language. Following a brief introduction, the first of three major sections describes the SignFont alphabet, structured according to the parts of every sign that is written (handshape, action area, location, movement). The second section discusses in greater detail how the SignFont characters are…

The article describes an assessment and instructional strategy for teaching severely handicapped individuals manual communication skills. (DLS)

The manual alphabet was used as an adjunct to a linguistic reading system to achieve the following goals with primary grade learning disabled children: (1) ensure attention, (2) reinforce the learning of phonemes, (3) guide the student if he had difficulties, (4) introduce prefixes and suffixes, and (5) provide the child with an independent…

Development of three individualized education programs (IEPs) to establish manual communication skills with severely and profoundly retarded nonverbal normal hearing students resulted in identification of areas of concept formation, long range goals, short range objectives, strategies, and evaluative techniques that were generally effective for…

Use of sign language for numerals is used to teach basic facts. Counting is first described, followed by sections on addition and subtraction facts and on reinforcing activities. (MNS)

Discusses background information about the deaf that may be useful to reading teachers working with older deaf students; suggests additional sources of information on sign language and reading instruction for the deaf. (MKM)

Seven steps by which an interdisciplinary team can decide whether to initiate an auxiliary (nonvocal) communication program for severely handicapped students are examined. Auxiliary programs include three categories: manual communication, communication aids, and communication codes. Factors in evaluating commercial systems and examples of…

A bilingual education program for deaf children (ages 13-16) in American Sign Language (ASL) and English is described. Using a team-teaching approach, a deaf teacher taught social studies using ASL while a hearing teacher taught language arts using Signed English and speech. Follow-up activities are summarized and a teaching unit outlined. (VW)

Notes that sign language is the third most used second language in the United States and that early childhood is an ideal language-learning time. Describes the experiences of one preschool where American Sign Language has become an integral part of the curriculum. Includes guiding principles, classroom do's and don'ts, and a resource list of…

Learning activities are presented to promote awareness of hearing impairments and to help children understand and accept people with disabilities. Through games, stories, information, and personal dialogue, students learn about hearing loss and communication methods as well as the broader issue of differences and the experience of being disabled.…

The curriculum guide was developed to serve hearing impaired children at the Kendall Demonstration School elementary/middle school in Washington, D.C. An introductory section explains the philosophy/rationale of the language arts curriculum which emphasizes the development of spoken, signed, or written language. The next section offers suggestions…