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       Newspapers have been enjoyed for decades. They entertain, enlighten, and educate. You are invited to read this latest publication of "The Sign Times." Hopefully, this newspaper will entertain you with exciting games and activities, which will also teach you the basic signing skills needed to communicate with the deaf world. So, grab a seat, and a mouse . . . and get with the Times.



 

The Tasks:

This Webquest is designed for grades four through six.

You will:

  • recognize the sign language alphabet,
  • learn to sign your name,
  • communicate in sign language,
  • learn how to sign your favorite food, color, and sport,
  • learn to sign different animals, 
  • understand deaf patterns of speech,
  • watch a sign language story being told,
  • chat with deaf kids, and
  • read jokes from the deaf community.


 

The Resources:

Extra! Extra! You can read all about these resources which will be able to help you meet the tasks above.
1. Commonalties:  Before you learned to read books, you had to learn the basics of the English language. You had to learn your ABC's--the alphabet. When learning sign language one must first learn the Sign Language Alphabet.

2. Consistency:  While you were learning your alphabet, you had to practice writing those ABC's over and over. Then, when you had that down, you began to link letters to form words.

3. Confidence:  You then began learning all kinds of words: foods, colors, sports, and animals.

4. Composition:  After you learned many words, then you began to form sentences. The words that make up a sentence in sign language are not always found in the same order that one would speak them.

5. Construction:  In a spoken language, sentences form stories. It is the same with sign language. You learn letters, words, sentences, and then you can read stories.

6. Communication:  Sign language is just that--a language. It allows one to communicate with those who are deaf. 

7. Comedy:  It does not take someone long to realize that the deaf community enjoys many of the same things that the hearing community does, including a good joke.



 

The Process:

       Hot off the press! Here are some tips that will help you work through the Webquest more effectively and efficiently. Be sure that you print off a copy of the Sign Language Alphabet to assist you in moving through the process. Spending some extra time with the alphabet will enable you to finish the Webquest with ease.

1. The Sign Language Alphabet is the foundation that we build on. Learn how to sign your name and hello. Sign on now, and get started. 

 2.  Now, link the letters you have learned to form words. What are you waiting on -- a sign?!

3. Check out the sign for your favorite food, your favorite color, your favorite sport, and some cool animals. These sites are deaf!

 4. Notice how the order in which we speak words is not in the same order that one would sign  them. Play this game and see.

5.  Newspapers tell stories. Read this front-page story.

 6.  Communicate with kids your age, even when they are deaf. 
Find a deaf friend here.

7.  The comics are the funniest section of the newspaper. 
Click here for the funniest section of "The Sign Times". 

 8.  Go play this game that reviews the main words from this Webquest.
 



 

Conclusion:

       Tapping into a culture that is foreign to your own is extremely exciting. Having completed this Webquest, you should have the basic communication skills and understanding to do just that. Maybe you do not want to stop here. What would it be like to speak to a deaf person using your new-found skills? How do deaf people read lips? What places in your community need interpreters for the deaf? These are some questions you may want to research on your own.



 
This page was originally written by Daniel Green and last updated on May 7, 2001. 
It was written for Dr. Bruce Lewis as a requirement for
EDU506 Computer Applications in Education.