Clay, Kathryn. Signing at School: Sign Language for Kids.

Clay, Kathryn.  Signing at School: Sign Language for Kids.  Capstone Publishers  2014  32p  ISBN 978-1-62065-052-3      series: Time to Sign  elem    E-Bnes  Nonfiction          

Elementary-level, single words relating to school are taught in this extraordinarily well-organized book on sign language.  After briefly introducing sign and its use by members of a culture of deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals, author Kathryn Clay provides a collection of topical vocabulary words on each two-page spread, limited to only the most important words.  For example, in the chapter about the library, the words are: “book”, “read”, “librarian”, “quiet”, “computer” and “student.”  Clay’s choices appear to be specifically tailored not to overwhelm younger learners.  The addition of text to describe each visual aid in the book makes it particularly user-friendly.  The visual aids show a computer-generated young girl performing each sign alongside an actual picture representing the targeted word.  In addition, there are arrows on each illustration to show which direction to guide the hands, and they are spot on.  Soft colors serve to bring the reader aboard as well as to help him or her focus on each new word.  In total, there are thirteen lessons followed by a short glossary and a list of books to consult for further information.  

This series provides visual aids with supporting text to teach early learners of sign language the basics, including the alphabet, numbers, and colors.  The targeted vocabulary in the four volumes of this set includes words pertinent to town, home, school and the world.  

Summary: Bus stop vocabulary, subjects in school, and cafeteria-related words are just a few of the topics covered in this volume about signing in which visual aids combine with the text to creatively instruct early learners in this useful language.

Sign language                                         --Martha Squaresky