A few weeks ago, I wrote a post about Using Silence in the Music Room and shared that I often used sign language in my instruction.  Sign language can be a powerful tool for instruction in many ways.  It can be a way to reduce talking in your room, communicate while singing or teaching without interruption, or communicate with non-verbal or special education students.

My journey to using sign language was quite by accident.  Many years ago, I came across an American Sign Language (ASL) book at a local book store and bought it.  I made a list of all the things I said repeatedly in the classroom and began learning the signs for them.  Here are some of the signs I use most frequently.  (Please note – I am not an ASL expert in any way.  These are simply signs I learned from the book.)

Sit

Stand

Thank you

Please

Bathroom

Yes

Sing/Music

Think Music (Audiate)

Stop

I start by introducing sign language during the first few weeks of school in every grade level – even Kindergarten!  My students learn sit, stand, and bathroom first.  We practice them together in class and then use them for each activity (e.g. asking students to stand for a movement activity, etc.)  As my student become familiar with the first few signs, I layer new ones on as necessary.  As a Music Learning Theory practitioner, our favorite sign is “audiate” or think music.  That could easily be adapted for “inner hearing” for Kodaly practitioners.  I’ve since created a Sign Language for the Music Room resource which is available on TpT!

Sign language is such a powerful tool for instruction.  I often use it in assemblies or dismissal as my entire school knows these basic signs.  I love that my students respond in silence rather than responding with a clap or saying.   Leave me a comment below and let me know if you use sign language in your instruction.  Is there a sign that you find particularly useful?  Let me know!

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