1. AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE
Introduction to Handshapes
By Jennifer Armstead
Introduction
Lesson
Quiz

2. Introduction
This lesson is designed for 2nd grade students as an introduction to American Sign Language handshapes. Handshapes are very important, as they are more than just letters, they are whole words with very different meanings. After this lesson, the students should be able to:
Identify different handshapes used in ASL and their purpose
Match the shape with the sign that it is used to make
Have an understanding in the differences of handshapes versus letters
Recognize that the same shape has multiple meanings based on location and palm orientation.

3. Introduction
These objectives are based off of the Ohio Department of Education Content Standards for Language Arts:
Demonstrate an understanding in ASL handshapes and their meanings
Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown or multiple meaning signs and handshapes.
Identify real-life connections between words and their use.

4. Lesson
For this lesson, we will be learning some of the basic handshapes in ASL that are associated with different words and their palm orientation. Palm orientation and handshape are key components in words because when they are changed, a new word is shown. The handshapes we will be learning about today are:
Open 5 H S B

5. Lesson Open 5 Signs for this handshape are:
Mom- by placing thumb on chin
Dad- by placing thumb on forehead
Fine- by placing thumb on center of chest

6. Lesson H Signs for this handshape are:
Thursday- holding H out and moving in counterclockwise movement
Cute- placing fingertips on chin and pulling down
Funny- placing fingertips on nose and rubbing downward

7. Lesson S Signs for this handshape are:
Saturday- turning S facing you and moving in counterclockwise movement
Ice cream- holding S (thumb facing side) and do a swiping motion
Suitcase- holding S downward and double bounce

8. Lesson B Signs for this handshape are:
Brown- Sliding B down cheek once
Blue- Holding B in front of you and waving twice
Hello- place B at side of forehead and moving it forward while smiling

9. Are you ready for the quiz??

10. Question 1 Handshape open 5 is for which sign? Saturday Mom Cute
Next ?

11. Correct!
Next Question

12. I’m Sorry. That is incorrect. Please try again.
Back to Question

13. Question 2 Handshape B is for which sign? Dad Brown Ice Cream
Previous ?
Next ?

14. Correct!
Next Question

15. I’m Sorry. That is incorrect. Please try again.
Back to Question

16. Question 3 Handshape S is for which sign? Thursday Fine Suitcase
Previous ?
Next ?

17. Correct!
Next Question

18. I’m Sorry. That is incorrect. Please try again.
Back to Question

19. Question 4 Handshape H is for which sign? Funny Dad Hello Previous ?
End

20. Correct!
End

21. I’m Sorry. That is incorrect. Please try again.
Back to Question

22. CONGRATULATIONS!! You have finished the test!

23. Credits Ohio Department of Education- www.ode.state.oh.us
Amercian Sign Language Handshape dictionary images on Bing
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