Learn and practice signs for library settings

Posted on January 11, 2023 by kathymacmillan

Please feel free to share the information and coupon codes below with your colleagues! Discounted group rates and direct invoicing available for groups of 10 or more. Contact info@storiesbyhand.com for details.

Hands Up!: Live ASL Practice for Library Staff | Interactive webinar series presented by Kathy MacMillan, NIC, M.L.S. | Beginner: Tuesdays, January 24-February 28, 2023 from 11 AM-12 PM Eastern/ 10 AM-11 AM Central/ 9 AM-10 AM Mountain/8 AM-9 AM Pacific | StoriesByHand.com/webinars | Words appear over a drawing of upraised hands in bright pastel colors against a white background.

Hands Up: Live ASL Practice for Library Staff (Beginner)

Tuesdays, January 24-February 28, 2023, 11 AM-12 PM Eastern/ 10 AM-11 AM Central/9 AM-10 Mountain/8 AM-9 AM Pacific

Online sessions via Zoom (6 weeks, 1 hour per week). Includes recording access for all sessions through March 29, 2023.

Learn and practice American Sign Language for library settings in this interactive series.

Individual: $240. Get 20% off individual registration when you enter promo code READANDSIGN at the top of the ticket form. Group rates available.

Hands Up! Live ASL Practice for Library Staff (Review Series)

Tuesdays, January 24-February 28, 2023 from 2:30 PM-3:30 PM Eastern/ 1:30 PM-2:30 PM Central/ 12:30 PM-1:30 PM Mountain/11:30 AM-12:30 PM Pacific.

Online sessions via Zoom (6 weeks, 1 hour per week)

Review and practice your ASL for the library setting in these interactive sessions! This series will focus on review and deep practice of vocabulary and concepts introduced in the Hands Up!: Live ASL Practice for Library Staff Beginner and Intermediate series and in the ALA eCourse ASL for Library Staff, level 1. Recording access will be available through 30 days after the final session.

Individual: $240. Get 20% off individual registration when you enter promo code READANDSIGN at the top of the ticket form! Group rates available.

Hands Up!: Live ASL Practice for Library Staff | Interactive webinar series presented by Kathy MacMillan, NIC, M.L.S. | Intermediate: Tuesdays, March 21 to April 25, 2023 from 11 AM-12 PM Eastern/ 10 AM-11 AM Central/ 9 AM-10 AM Mountain/8 AM-9 AM Pacific | StoriesByHand.com/webinars | Words appear over a drawing of upraised hands in bright pastel colors against a white background.

Hands Up: Live ASL Practice for Library Staff (Intermediate)

Tuesdays, March 21 to April 25, 2023 from 11 AM-12 PM Eastern/ 10 AM-11 AM Central/ 9 AM-10 AM Mountain/8 AM-9 AM Pacific

Online sessions via Zoom (6 weeks, 1 hour per week). Includes recording access for all sessions through May 26, 2023.

Practice and gain confidence in your American Sign Language skills for library settings in this interactive series.

Individual: $240. Get 20% off individual registration when you enter promo code READANDSIGN at the top of the ticket form. Group rates available.

Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hands-up-live-asl-practice-for-library-staff-intermediate-registration-441394271147

For information about my eCourses through the American Library Association, see https://storiesbyhand.com/ecourses/

FAQ: eCourses and Webinars

Little Hands and Big Hands 2nd edition releases today!

Posted on January 10, 2023 by kathymacmillan

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.

Add Some Winter Signs to Your Storytime Toolbox!

Posted on January 6, 2023 by kathymacmillan

Little Hands Signing Professional Development: Winter Signs (1 hour webinar)

Friday, January 13, 2023 at 11 AM Eastern/10 AM Central/9 AM Mountain/8 AM Pacific

Online session via Zoom (1 hour webinar). Includes recording access through February 14, 2023.

Learn basic American Sign Language for winter storytimes in this interactive online session!

Individual: $40. Get 20% off individual registration when you enter promo code READANDSIGN at the top of the ticket form! Group rates available.

Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/little-hands-signing-professional-development-winter-signs-registration-440674438107

For information about my eCourses through the American Library Association, see https://storiesbyhand.com/ecourses/

FAQ: eCourses and Webinars

FREE online program for all ages: Little Hands and Big Hands 2nd edition book launch

Posted on January 5, 2023 by kathymacmillan

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 and Big Hands: Children and Adults Signing Together, second edition. Hands Up Press.
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!

Pre-order now from the Deaf Camps, Inc. Online Bookstore (autographed copies that support a great cause!) | amazon.com | barnesandnoble.com | bookshop.org

In the Community: Online ASL Classes from the Hearing and Speech Agency

Posted on December 28, 2022 by kathymacmillan

Learn American Sign Language from a Deaf instructor in these online courses from the Hearing and Speech Agency, a highly-respected Baltimore non-profit.

Registration now open for

Spring 2023: January 23-March 27, 2023
Summer Session 1: April 17-May 15, 2023
Summer Session 2: May 29-June 26, 2023

2-hour classes meet once a week online.

Class Descriptions

Beginning Conversational ASL 1

In this first class, you will learn the basics of sign articulation. Proper articulation will help you communicate with native users of the language. You will also learn how to produce the manual alphabet. ASL uses the same alphabet as English and words are spelled the same in both languages. This class wraps up with some grammatical tips, stressing smooth transitions from one sign to another, and linking signs together to effectively convey topics such as introducing yourself, exchanging personal information, discussing surroundings, and explaining where you live.

Beginning Conversational ASL 2

In this class, you will use all the sign execution skills learned in the Beginning Conversational ASL 1 class in real sentences. You will start with some basic information and a few rules. This class will move to common words and some easy sentences. Finally, you will try out these new skills to sign about the weather, basic numbers, your family, telling about activities, giving directions, and describing others.

Beginning Conversational ASL 3

The third class in the series starts with a review of a few key points, such as articulation and linking signs. Then, you will practice making your own simple sentences. All you will need to do is plug in the signs you need. Next, you will learn how to ask questions and additional simple sentence structures. Finally, you will learn some fun slang in addition to making requests, signing about family and occupations, attributing qualities to others, and discussing routines.

Beginning Conversational ASL 4

Whether it is your first time in this course, a repeat to refresh your skills, or because you simply wanted to maintain the language you learned in previous classes, this class fosters the needed practice to master the art of conversation while perfecting the finer points of ASL. Students learn through fun and varied ASL activities in this course to improve ASL skills. It’s an excellent way to take your language learning to the next level, maintain your current skills, and develop new ones. Students are encouraged to take this course multiple times.

Conversational ASL

This five-week course is designed to help students develop and mature foundational communicative skills to prepare them for everyday conversations in ASL. In addition, students will further master their fluency through the interactive stylized nature of the course. Students should have taken at least one ASL class before taking this class.

ASL Fingerspelling

Fingerspelling (spelling out words by hand using the ASL manual alphabet) is an important part of ASL and a valuable tool if you do not know signs in ASL. You will also find an increase of fluency with your ASL execution after completing the fingerspelling lessons taught in this class. This is because proper nouns are fingerspelled in ASL and have been deemed to be part of the foundation of the language. This class will take you through fingerspelling practice sessions on various topics and you will leave the class understanding and executing the manual alphabet in ASL.

Specialized Deaf Culture Topics

This is a five-week course providing a historical overview of the American Deaf community and its evolving culture. Deafness as a culture and not a disability is explained as participants are guided into the world of Deaf culture.

To see the complete schedule and register, click here.

Program offerings featured in “In the Community” posts are not affiliated with Stories by Hand and are shared to spread the word about other ASL learning opportunities.

Register now for Winter/Spring webinars and series for library staff!

Posted on December 19, 2022 by kathymacmillan

Little Hands Signing Professional Development: Winter Signs (1 hour webinar)

Friday, January 13, 2023 at 11 AM Eastern/10 AM Central/9 AM Mountain/8 AM Pacific

Online session via Zoom (1 hour webinar). Includes recording access for though February 14, 2023.

Learn basic American Sign Language for winter storytimes in this interactive online session!

Individual: $40. Get 20% off individual registration when you enter promo code READANDSIGN at the top of the ticket form! Group rates available.

Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/little-hands-signing-professional-development-winter-signs-registration-440674438107

Hands Up: Live ASL Practice for Library Staff (Beginner)

Tuesdays, January 24-February 28, 2023, 11 AM-12 PM Eastern/ 10 AM-11 AM Central/9 AM-10 Mountain/8 AM-9 AM Pacific

Online sessions via Zoom (6 weeks, 1 hour per week). Includes recording access for all sessions through March 29, 2023.

Learn and practice American Sign Language for library settings in this interactive series.

Individual: $240. Get 20% off individual registration when you enter promo code READANDSIGN at the top of the ticket form. Group rates available.

Hands Up! Live ASL Practice for Library Staff (Review Series)

Tuesdays, January 24-February 28, 2023 from 2:30 PM-3:30 PM Eastern/ 1:30 PM-2:30 PM Central/ 12:30 PM-1:30 PM Mountain/11:30 AM-12:30 PM Pacific.

Online sessions via Zoom (6 weeks, 1 hour per week)

Individual: $240. Get 20% off individual registration when you enter promo code READANDSIGN at the top of the ticket form! Group rates available.

Little Hands Signing Professional Development Series 3: Babies and Toddlers (6-webinar series)

Wednesdays, January 25 to March 1, 2023 from 11 AM-12 PM Eastern/10-11 AM Central/9-10 AM Mountain/8-9 AM Pacific

Online sessions via Zoom (6 weeks, 1 hour per week). Includes recording access for all sessions though November 21, 2022.

Join us for weekly interactive workshops that teach basic American Sign Language vocabulary and demonstrate how to use the signs in storytime activities and the early childhood classroom. This series will focus on vocabulary and best practices for baby and toddler programs. Each session will focus on specific thematic vocabulary: Getting Started, Playtime Signs, Mealtime Signs, Diaper and Potty Signs, Safety Signs, Our Signing Day.

Individual: $240. Get 20% off individual registration when you enter promo code READANDSIGN at the top of the ticket form! Group rates available.

Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/little-hands-signing-professional-development-series-3-babies-and-toddlers-registration-441335455227

Hands Up: Live ASL Practice for Library Staff (Intermediate)

Tuesdays, March 21 to April 25, 2023 from 11 AM-12 PM Eastern/ 10 AM-11 AM Central/ 9 AM-10 AM Mountain/8 AM-9 AM Pacific

Online sessions via Zoom (6 weeks, 1 hour per week). Includes recording access for all sessions through May 26, 2023.

Practice and gain confidence in your American Sign Language skills for library settings in this interactive series.

Individual: $240. Get 20% off individual registration when you enter promo code READANDSIGN at the top of the ticket form. Group rates available.

Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hands-up-live-asl-practice-for-library-staff-intermediate-registration-441394271147

Pink and white flowers appear above the text: Little Hands Signing Professional Development: Spring Signs. Wednesday, March 29, 2023, Wednesday, March 29, 2023, 11 AM-12 PM Eastern. Presented by Kathy MacMillan, NIC, MLS. Register at StoriesByHand.com/webinars

Little Hands Signing Professional Development: Spring Signs (1 hour webinar)

Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at 11 AM Eastern/10 AM Central/9 AM Mountain/8 AM Pacific

Online session via Zoom (1 hour webinar). Includes recording access for though April 30, 2023.

Learn basic American Sign Language for spring storytimes in this interactive online session!

Individual: $40. Get 20% off individual registration when you enter promo code READANDSIGN at the top of the ticket form! Group rates available.

Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/little-hands-signing-professional-development-spring-signs-registration-461545303427

Hands Up!: Live ASL Practice for Library Staff | Interactive webinar series presented by Kathy MacMillan, NIC, M.L.S. | Beginner: Wednesdays, March 29-May 3, 2023 from 1 PM-2 PM Eastern/ 12 PM-1 PM Central/11 AM-12 PM Mountain/10 AM-11 AM Pacific | StoriesByHand.com/webinars | Words appear over a drawing of upraised hands in bright pastel colors against a white background.

Hands Up: Live ASL Practice for Library Staff (Beginner)

Wednesdays, March 29-May 3, 2023 from 1 PM-2 PM Eastern/ 12 PM-1 PM Central/ 11 AM-12 PM Mountain/10 AM-11 AM Pacific

Online sessions via Zoom (6 weeks, 1 hour per week). Includes recording access for all sessions through June 4, 2023.

Learn and practice American Sign Language for library settings in this interactive series.

Individual: $240. Get 20% off individual registration when you enter promo code READANDSIGN at the top of the ticket form. Group rates available.

Hands Up! Live ASL Practice for Library Staff (Review Series)

Wednesdays, May 17-June 21, 2023, 11 AM-12 PM Eastern/ 10 AM-11 AM Central/ 9 AM-10 AM Mountain/8 AM-9 AM Pacific. Online sessions via Zoom (6 weeks, 1 hour per week)

Individual: $240. Save 20% with code READANDSIGN. Group rates available.

Register at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hands-up-live-asl-practice-for-library-staff-review-series-registration-486847412717

Little Hands Signing Professional Development: Summer Reading Special (1 hour webinar)

Tuesday, May 23, 2023 from 12 PM -1 PM Eastern/11 AM-12 PM Central/10 AM-11 AM Mountain/9 AM-10 AM Pacific.

Online session via Zoom (1 hour webinar). Includes recording access for though June 24, 2023.

In this interactive session, we’ll focus on basic ASL vocabulary for friends and togetherness, to go with the Collaborative Summer Library program theme, All Together Now: Todos Juntos Ahora.

Individual: $40. Get 20% off individual registration when you enter promo code SUMMER at the top of the ticket form! Group rates available.

Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/little-hands-signing-professional-development-summer-reading-special-registration-461915841717

Illustrations of a sun, watermelon, beach ball, sunglasses, beach umbrella, and flip-flops appear against a green background. Text reads: Little Hands Signing Professional Development Webinar: Summer Signs. Wednesday, May 31, 2023, 2-3 PM Eastern. Presented by Kathy MacMillan, NIC, M.L.S. Register at StoriesByHand.com/webinars

Little Hands Signing Professional Development: Summer Signs (1 hour webinar)

Wednesday, May 31, 2023 at 2 PM Eastern/1 PM Central/12 PM Mountain/11 AM Pacific Online session via Zoom (1 hour webinar). Includes recording access for 30 days.

Learn basic American Sign Language for summer storytimes in this interactive online session!

Individual: $40. Get 20% off individual registration when you enter promo code SUMMER at the top of the ticket form! Group rates available.

Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/little-hands-signing-professional-development-summer-signs-registration-482665273827

For information about my eCourses through the American Library Association, see https://storiesbyhand.com/ecourses/

FAQ: eCourses and Webinars

Little Hands and Big Hands 2nd edition launching soon!

Posted on December 12, 2022 by kathymacmillan

Coming January 10, 2023 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!

Pre-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:

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.

Book now for Summer Reading 2023: Let’s Sign Together!

Posted on December 7, 2022 by kathymacmillan

The Collaborative Summer Reading Theme for 2023 is: All Together Now : Todos Juntos Ahora (Kindness/Friendship/Unity).

Stories by Hand has you covered with a high-energy, interactive program for multiple age groups:

Let’s Sign Together!

Share stories, songs, and rhymes and learn basic American Sign Language vocabulary about love and friendship as we celebrate our connections with one another. Presented by Kathy MacMillan, author of the Little Hands Signing series and Little Hands and Big Hands: Children and Adults Signing Together.

This program can be presented as an all-ages program or adapted to a baby, toddler, preschooler, or school-age audience.

Indoor, outdoor, and online programs available.

Single program (45 minutes): $400 plus travel expenses.
Additional same-day sessions: $300 plus travel expenses.

Book a program for Summer 2023 by February 1, 2023 and get 15% off the single program rate!

Availability calendar

Complete booking details

Interested in a different program theme? Check out all Stories By Hand program offerings here.

Every Thursday! Online Little Hands Signing Storytimes with Queens Public Library

Posted on December 1, 2022 by kathymacmillan

Queens Public Library Online Storytimes:

Little Hands Signing: Feeling Sign Stories By Hand With Kathy MacMillan

Sing, sign, play, and learn basic American Sign Language! These fun, hands-on

storytimes for the whole family are presented by Kathy MacMillan, author of “Nita’s First Signs” and “Little Hands & Big Hands: Children and Adults Signing Together.”

These storytimes will be streamed live at 12 PM each Thursday December 1- February 1 on Facebook and YouTube. We also invite you to join us at Astoria Library to watch the livestream with fellow library customers! Can’t watch live? Check out the recordings and sign and play anytime!

December 1: Friendship Signs

December 8: Family Signs

December 15: Celebration Signs December 22: Giving Signs

December 29: Countdown to Fun (and New Year’s) Signs

January 5: People Signs

January 12: Sing and Dance Signs

January 19: Togetherness Signs

January 26: Manners Signs

February 2: In My Community Signs

Join on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/QPLNYC

Join on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/QueensPublicLibrary

This program is funded by NYC Council Member Tiffany Cabán. Click here for more information.

In the Community: Meet Signing Santa at the DCI Christmas Party!

Posted on November 30, 2022 by kathymacmillan

Deaf Camps, Inc Annual Christmas Party

Saturday, December 17 from 2-5 pm

Christ United Methodist Church of the Deaf
1040 S Beechfield Ave
Baltimore, MD 21229

Admission includes:

Signing Santa
Snacks
Crafts
One free picture with Santa per child. (Additional pictures available for a small fee.)
ASL Storytelling

All ages and signing levels welcome!
Admission: $5
Caregivers free with child’s admission

All proceeds benefit Deaf Camps, Inc’s scholarship fund.

Click here for more information.