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
