Materials:
- Optional: Mirror (to check your own signing)
- Optional: Access to online BSL dictionary/videos (like BSL SignBank or YouTube tutorials for specific signs if needed)
- Your hands and enthusiasm!
Lesson Activities (30 Minutes)
Warm-up: Fingerspelling Fun! (5 mins)
Hi Phoebe! Since you're already a pro at the BSL alphabet, let's warm up those fingers! Fingerspell these words:
- Your name: P-H-O-E-B-E
- H-E-L-L-O
- G-O-O-D-B-Y-E
- F-U-N
New Signs: Greetings! (15 mins)
Today, we'll learn how to say hello and introduce ourselves. Let's learn these signs:
- Hello/Goodbye: (Often a wave-like gesture, but specific signs exist. Let's use a common simple 'hello' sign - tapping the temple with flat hand, moving outwards slightly, or a simple wave). We'll also learn the formal 'goodbye' sign.
- How are you?: (Sign 'HOW' then point 'YOU'. 'HOW' involves rotating clasped hands outwards at chest level. 'YOU' is pointing index finger forward).
- My name is...: (Sign 'MY' - flat hand on chest. Sign 'NAME' - tap index and middle finger of dominant hand twice on forehead. Then fingerspell your name). Let's practice: MY NAME P-H-O-E-B-E.
- Pleased to meet you: (Sign 'PLEASED' - rub flat hand in circle on chest. Sign 'MEET' - bring index fingers up vertically, knuckles touching. Sign 'YOU' - point index finger forward).
Practice each sign slowly. Look in the mirror if it helps! Let's try signing them back and forth.
Game Time: Sign & Guess! (7 mins)
Okay, let's play a quick game. I'll fingerspell a word from our warm-up list, or perform one of the new greeting signs. You guess what it is! Then, you sign one, and I'll guess!
Wrap-up (3 mins)
Great job today, Phoebe! You learned some really useful signs. Can you show me:
- Hello?
- How are you?
- My name is...? (fingerspell your name!)
Keep practicing these signs this week! Maybe you can greet someone in your family using BSL!