I’m delighted to share this interview with Melody over at the ASL Picture Books Blog, where I got to discuss some of my favorite ways to share ASL with kids!
Category Archives: Signing with Young Children
Register Now for Upcoming Webinars for Educators & Librarians
Click on the graphics below for more information and registration.
Find out more about booking a private webinar for your group here. FAQ: eCourses and Webinars Click here to purchase recording access to past webinars.
Find out more about booking a private webinar for your group here. FAQ: eCourses and Webinars Click here to purchase recording access to past webinars.
Little Hands and Big Hands 2nd edition releases today!
Releasing today from Hands Up Press:
Little Hands and Big Hands: Children and Adults Signing Together, second edition
by Kathy MacMillan
Photography by Kristin Brown
Research shows that using American Sign Language with young children can
- reduce frustration for both caregiver and child
- increase IQ
- stimulate language learning
- enhance bonding
- raise a child’s self-esteem
- improve everyday life and communication!
Little Hands & Big Hands: Children and Adults Signing Together offers solid background information on signing with children ages birth to six, along with hands-on games, fingerplays, songs, and more that caregivers, librarians, and educators can use to smooth transitions, calm a fussy child, or engage a stubborn one. Each activity is accompanied by photos of the relevant signs.
“Author and ASL educator Kathy MacMillan has brilliantly combined the world of ASL with early literacy activities…Explanations and research support are seamlessly woven into each activity…I highly recommend this resource to anyone working with children from birth to age six.” -Betsy Diamant-Cohen, creator of the award-winning Mother Goose on the Loose early literacy program
Order now from the Deaf Camps, Inc. Online Bookstore (autographed copies that support a great cause!) | amazon.com | barnesandnoble.com | bookshop.org
Join me for an online book launch event for all ages:
Little Hands and Big Hands: Children and Adults Signing Together, 2nd edition
Online Book Launch Event with Kathy MacMillan
Thursday, January 12, 2023
6:00 pm Mountain Standard Time
Hosted by Clearview Library District
Sign, sing, read, and play together in this online storytime for all ages! American Sign Language interpretation and automatic captioning will be provided.
Register now!
Autographed copies of the book may be purchased here, with all proceeds supporting Deaf Camps, Inc.’s scholarship program. To request personalization, email deafcampsinc@gmail.com.
Little Hands Signing Professional Development on demand
Little Hands Signing Professional Development Series Season Pass
Add some American Sign Language to your storytime toolbox! Learn how to incorporate ASL into storytime songs, rhymes, and stories in a respectful and effective way.
Your Season Pass registration includes on-demand recording access to all 6 webinars through August 31, 2022!
- Winter Signs
- Lovey Dovey Signs
- Spring Signs
- Weather Signs
- Ocean Signs (Summer Reading Special)
- Summer Signs
Register now for the Little Hands Signing Professional Development Series Season Pass
Recommended Viewing (and program!): “Calvin Can’t Fly: An ASL Storybook”
“Calvin Can’t Fly: An ASL Storybook” is a new, innovative film presented in American Sign Language by Crom Saunders, animation, enhanced text, music and narrated English. The 25-minute video is based on the book about a little bird who can’t fly because he spends all his time reading and dreaming. Though his differences set him apart, his knowledge ultimately saves his flock from disaster.
Director Sarah Michaelson wanted to create something where everyone can share this heartwarming story in the same space no matter their background, ability, or learning style. The screening event is perfect for Deaf and hearing audiences, students of sign language, and young readers who benefit from experiencing stories in a visceral way.
After a successful premiere last fall, the Calvin team is now focused on bringing more interactive events to libraries, school groups, and organizations around the country. Find out more, see video samples, and learn how to request a screening for your organization at https://calvinaslstorybook.com/
Hands-on feedback on your signing activities for storytime or the classroom!
Little Hands Signing Professional Development: Group Coaching Session
Wednesday, September 15, 2021, 2:00-3:15 PM Eastern/1:00-2:15 PM Central/12:00-1:15 PM Mountain/11:00AM-12:15PM Pacific. 1 hour and 15 minutes, Online via Zoom.
Here’s your chance to get live feedback on your storytime activities using American Sign Language! In this interactive small-group session, each participant will demonstrate a story, song, rhyme or other activity they plan to use with signs in storytime, and storyteller and nationally certified ASL interpreter Kathy MacMillan will give live feedback on vocabulary choices, sign production, presentation, and introducing ASL vocabulary in context. Expand your storytime toolbox with ideas from your peers and enhance your storytime confidence!
Each session is capped at 12 participants, so register now!
Pricing:
- Individual: $40 (includes live webinar and recording access for 30 days after the live event)
- Group rates available for groups of 10 or more. Contact me for details.
- Optional Add-on: Individualized video feedback: $25. Submit a video (up to 10 min) demonstrating your planned signing activities for storytime and receive individualized feedback on sign choices, production, and more from Kathy MacMillan via return video within 14 days. Must be used within 6 months of purchase.
Register for Little Hands Signing Professional Development: Group Coaching Session
About the Instructor:
Kathy MacMillan is a nationally certified American Sign Language interpreter, librarian, and storyteller. She is the author of the Little Hands Signing series from Familius Press, Little Hands and Big Hands: Children and Adults Signing Together (Huron Street Press) as well as many other books for children, teens, librarians, and educators.
Interested in a session just for your library? Find out more about booking a private webinar for your group here!
Trainings for Library Staff: eCourses and Webinars
I’ve been getting several questions lately about my various training offerings for library staff, so I thought I would write up an FAQ about the different offerings and how they complement one another.
How are eCourses and webinar series different?
My eCourses offered through ALA Editions (ASL for Library Staff, Levels 1 and 2; American Sign Language for Children in Storytime or the Classroom) are asynchronous, meaning that you work through the lessons on your own time and at your own pace. Each eCourse contains 6 lessons that will take you approximately 5-6 hours each to complete, for a total of 30 learning hours. Course material is presented through videos, readings, and quizzes. You have 12 weeks to complete each course. The Level 2 and ASL for Children in Storytime or the Classrooom courses also include video projects that allow you to get individualized feedback from the instructor on your signing. These eCourses address the big picture of serving Deaf patrons, discussing cultural mediation, accommodations, and other policy issues in addition to basic vocabulary.
Webinars and webinar series are conducted live online via Zoom, and all include access to the recording if you cannot attend live or want to review the material after the live session. Participants are encouraged (though not required) to share their video for a truly interactive experience and real-time feedback and assistance in learning the signs.
- The Hands Up! Live ASL Practice for Library Staff webinar series (Beginner, Intermediate, and Review levels) is designed to provide interactive practice and reinforcement of ASL vocabulary and grammatical structures relevant to the library setting, to help library staff gain confidence in their abilities to serve ASL users. These webinars focus on preparing library staff to provide direct service to Deaf patrons.
- Each Little Hands Signing Professional Development series webinar focuses on a specific storytime theme, allowing participants to register for the areas most relevant to their training needs.
Would the eCourses benefit me if I already took the webinar series?/Would the webinar series benefit me if I already took the eCourses?
The answer to both questions is yes! The eCourses and webinar series have been designed to complement one another and allow those who have taken either of them to expand their knowledge by moving to the other. The eCourses provide a broad overview of the topic, touching on multiple facets and introducing a wide range of vocabulary. The webinar series cover less material but in much greater depth, allowing for interactive practice to develop your confidence in signing in the library setting.
Which training should I take if…
…I am totally new to signing in the library and I want to better serve Deaf and hard of hearing patrons?
If you enjoy learning on your own and setting your own pace, start with ASL for Library Staff, Level 1 (eCourse). If you would prefer a more interactive, guided introduction, start with Hands Up!: Live ASL Practice for Library Staff (Beginners) (webinar series).
…I want to start using ASL vocabulary in my storytimes and I am totally new to the topic?
Start with American Sign Language for Storytime or the Classroom (eCourse) or the Little Hands Signing Professional Development series.
…I have taken one or two ASL classes in the community, but I am not familiar with vocabulary for the library setting?
If you enjoy learning on your own and setting your own pace, start with ASL for Library Staff, Level 1 (eCourse). If you would prefer a more interactive, guided introduction, start with Hands Up!: Live ASL Practice for Library Staff (Beginners) (webinar series).
…I can conduct a basic ASL conversation in the library setting (greeting a patron, discussing basic library locations and services, conducting a basic reference or circulation transaction), but I want to develop my skills more?
To expand your library ASL knowledge and explore ways to improve your library service to deaf and hard-of-hearing patrons, continue on to ASL for Library Staff, Level 2 (eCourse). If you want to focus on practicing and reinforcing your signing skills alone, take Hands Up!: Live ASL for Library Staff (Intermediate) (webinar series), which you can then follow with Hands Up!: Live ASL for Library Staff (Review series) (webinar series).
…I have completed the ASL for Library Staff eCourses, Levels 1 and 2, and I want to keep up my signing skills for the library setting?
Practice and reinforce your signing skills with Hands Up!: Live ASL for Library Staff (Intermediate) (webinar series) and/or Hands Up!: Live ASL for Library Staff (Review series) (webinar series).
…I have completed the Hands Up!: Live ASL Practice for Library Staff, Beginner and Intermediate series, and I want to continue growing my skills?
Practice and reinforce your signing skills with Hands Up!: Live ASL for Library Staff (Review series) (webinar series) or expand your knowledge of serving Deaf patrons with ASL for Library Staff, Level 1 (eCourse) and ASL for Library Staff, Level 2 (eCourse).
…I took the old Basic ASL for Library Staff eCourse, and I want to continue to grow my skills?
Depending on how long ago you took the course and how much you remember, you may wish the start with ASL for Library Staff, Level 1 (eCourse) OR get a refresher with interactive guided practice in Hands Up!: Live ASL for Library Staff (Beginners) (webinar series). If you feel you retained what you learned in the basic course, continue on to ASL for Library Staff, Level 2 (eCourse) or Hands Up!: Live ASL for Library Staff (Intermediate) (webinar series) or Hands Up!: Live ASL for Library Staff (Review series) (webinar series),
…I have completed the American Sign Language for Children in Storytime or the Classroom eCourse and I want to expand my vocabulary for storytime?
Take the Little Hands Signing Professional Development webinars (offered as standalone webinars and series). Each webinar is focused around a storytime theme to help you grow your ASL vocabulary in different areas.
…I have taken one or more Little Hands Signing Professional Development webinars and I want to deepen my understanding of signing with children in storytime?
Take the American Sign Language for Children in Storytime or the Classroom eCourse, or select others in the Little Hands Signing Professional Development webinars series. Each webinar is focused around a storytime theme to help you grow your ASL vocabulary in different areas.
Don’t see your particular situation on this list? Have other questions about these trainings? Contact me to find out the best fit for your learning needs!
Guest Post: Garden-themed Signing Storytime with Dawn Babb Prochovnic
Today I’m featuring a guest post from Dawn Babb Prochovnic, author of the excellent Story Time with Signs and Rhymes series (more about that here), about her just-released picture book, Lucy’s Blooms, and blooming garden-themed storytime plan for you!
Take it away, Dawn!
Hello readers and signers!
Kathy was kind enough to invite me back to her blog to write a guest post to celebrate the upcoming release of my latest book, Lucy’s Blooms, a multigenerational story about a young girl who learns from her grandmother about the enduring nature of love, the strength in rejecting labels, and the wisdom in standing with those who are different.
I thought the best way to celebrate would be to share an American Sign Language story time lesson plan that incorporates the gardening themes in the book. So let’s dig in!
Gardening-Themed Signing Story Time Lesson Plan featuring Lucy’s Blooms
NOTE: This lesson plan is geared for a digital/remote storytime format. Feel welcome to modify appropriately once remote services are no longer necessary in your service area.
Welcome, Icebreaker, and Introductions
Screen share and/or share the link for a resource that illustrates the handshapes of the ASL alphabet.
Introduce yourself by fingerspelling your name. Invite participants to introduce themselves by fingerspelling their names. Practice fingerspelling L-U-C-Y.
Introduce Five Words that Participants Can Listen for and Sign Along With When You Read the Book
Here are links to some reputable video-based resources for the selected ASL vocabulary words, along with some brief reminder notes to help jog your memory as you are learning the signs:
- BLOOMS (flower): Fingers move from one side of nostril to the other
- DANCE: Two fingers dance on palm of other hand
- GRAM (grandmother): Five handshape moves away from chin
- WATER: “W” handshape taps on chin
- WHISTLE: “F” handshape makes whistling gesture near mouth
Read: Lucy’s Blooms by Dawn Babb Prochovnic. Illustrated by Alice Brereton
West Margin Press
Invite all participants to sign the American Sign Language signs for Gram, blooms, water, whistle, and dance each time they hear these words in the story.
Introduce/Review ASL Vocabulary Words in Preparation for Song
- BLOOMS (flower): Fingers move from one side of nostril to the other
- GROW: Like a plant growing out of the ground
- SOIL: Like feeling granules of sand between your fingers and thumb
- SUNSHINE: Like a ray of sunlight coming down from the sky
- WATER: “W” handshape taps on chin
- YES: Closed fist “nods” yes
Sing! (to the tune of “Where is Thumbkin?”)
(sign the words in capital letters)
BLOOMS need SOIL. BLOOMS need SOIL
YES they do. YES they do.
Plant your BLOOMS in SOIL. Plant your BLOOMS in SOIL.
Watch them GROW. Watch them GROW.
BLOOMS need WATER. BLOOMS need WATER.
YES they do. YES they do.
Feed your BLOOMS with WATER. Feed your BLOOMS with WATER.
Watch them GROW. Watch them GROW.
BLOOMS need SUNSHINE. BLOOMS need SUNSHINE.
YES they do. YES they do.
Set your BLOOMS in the SUNSHINE. Set your BLOOMS in the SUNSHINE.
Watch them GROW. Watch them GROW.
Prepare to Read Book Another Book:
You can find a collection of logical book pairings for this story time theme here.
Example: Read the poem about spring from Four Seasons! Five Senses! by Dawn Babb Prochovnic and Stephanie Bauer (Abdo).
Introduce/Review ASL Vocabulary Words in Preparation for Book/Poem #2:
- SPRING: A double movement, similar to GROW
- BLOOMS (flower): Fingers move from one side of nostril to the other
- BUMBLEBEES (Bee): Like swatting a bee away from your face
- LOVE: Cross arms over chest
- RAIN: Like sheets of rain coming down
- TREE: Bent arm with five handshape moves, like top of tree waving in the wind
Here is the text of the poem:
(sign the words in capital letters)
It is SPRING!
I see pink BLOOMS on bright green TREES.
I hear the buzz of BUMBLEBEES.
I feel wet puddles with my feet.
I smell the air. It’s fresh and sweet.
I LOVE the taste of homemade bread on a RAINY SPRINGTIME day.
Create a Rainstorm
Start by slowly rubbing the palms of your hands together and gradually getting faster. Next, snap your fingers together, gradually getting faster and faster. Now pat your thighs with one hand then the other, first slowly, then faster. Now stomp your feet until they are stomping like crazy. The rainstorm is full-on now! I like to end by doing all of the hand motions in reverse to return the storm to a soft sprinkling of rain, and then quiet. This is most fun with a large group, but it’s something you can do all by yourself…go ahead, try it!
It’s not quite the same group experience in a digital environment, but it is still fun!
Dance a Little Dance
In the book, Lucy’s Blooms, Lucy dances for her blooms. Set a timer for two minutes and dance a little dance of your own. If it helps to turn on some music to go along with your dancing, play the book trailer for Lucy’s Blooms with the original music composed and performed by Maiah Wynne.
Conclude
Conclude by encouraging an at-home activity such as:
- Planting and tending to seeds and observing them as they grow into plants.
- Counting the dandelions currently in each participant’s own yard or a nearby park.
- More themed activity ideas for Lucy’s Blooms will be added at this link over time. Check it out!
Connect with the author:
- Web: www.dawnprochovnic.com
- Instagram: @DawnProchovnic
- Twitter: @DawnProchovnic
- Facebook: @DawnProchovnicAuthor
.Dawn Babb Prochovnic is the author of Lucy’s Blooms, Where Does a Cowgirl Go
Potty?, Where Does a Pirate Go Potty?, and 16 books in the Story Time with Signs & Rhymes Series, including one title that was selected as an Oregon Book Awards finalist. She is a contributing author to the award-winning book, Oregon Reads Aloud. Dawn is a vocal advocate for school and public libraries and was honored as a 2015 Oregon Library Supporter of the Year by the Oregon Library Association. She is a frequent presenter at schools, libraries and educational conferences, and the founder of SmallTalk Learning, which provides American Sign Language and early literacy education. Dawn lives in Portland, Oregon with her husband, two kids, two cats, and a feisty dog. Learn more at www.dawnprochovnic.com.
5 Little Flowers: A Flannelboard Rhyme to Sign
I’ve posted before about my friend Dawn Babb Prochovnic, author of the Story Time with Signs & Rhymes series (Abdo) and many other great books for kids. (See my previous posts about Dawn’s books and storytime signing resources here!)
Well, Dawn has a new picture book coming out next week from West Margin Press: Lucy’s Blooms. I was lucky enough to get an early copy. (See my full review of the book below). I was inspired to share this storytime rhyme using ASL that would pair beautifully with the book:
5 Little Flowers: A Flannelboard Rhyme to Sign
Lucy’s Blooms by Dawn Babb Prochovnic. Illustrated by Alice Brereton
West Margin Press, 4/13/21
This is a beautiful story of the nurturing power of love – Grams’ love for Lucy, and Lucy in turn pouring that love and care into her blooms. Like many children, Lucy must confront the reality that not everyone will see the magic she sees in the things she loves – some people might even dismiss them as weeds. But buoyed by the security and affection of her grandmother, Lucy knows that her blooms have something none of the prize-winning flowers can boast. Dawn Babb Prochovnic’s lyrical text skips along like Lucy’s twirling dance in the meadow, perfectly paired with Alice Brereton’s exuberant art. A celebration of connection – human to human, and human to nature – that shines with all the warmth of a sunny summer day in the garden. Click here for more info about the book!
Watch this space for more Lucy’s Blooms content! Next week, I will be hosting Dawn for a guest post with a gardening-themed signing storytime plan!
Nita’s Holidays Storytimes in ASL and English
Happy Hanukkah! Merry Christmas! Happy Kwanzaa! Celebrate the holidays with Kathy MacMillan, author of NITA’S DAY and NITA’S FIRST SIGNS as we share stories, signs, and songs! How does Nita celebrate with her family? Watch one of the storytime videos below to find out!
Nita’s Holidays Storytime in English
(presented in spoken English with closed captions)
Nita’s Holidays Storytime in American Sign Language
(presented in American Sign Language only with no voiceover)
Stories by Hand with Kathy MacMillan 