How to sign the alphabet in American Sign Language

1. 6th Grade English class Cultural Unit How to sign the alphabet in American Sign Language By Kristen Goracy

2. American Sign Language American sign language is a visual spatial language that uses hand gestures and hand shapes to communicate in the deaf community In this lesson you will learn the ASL alphabet!

3. Navigation … Select this button at any time to move to the next slide Select this button a any time to move back to the main menu Select this button at any time to move to the previous slide

4. Main Menu A-L M-Z Learn Letters A-L Learn Letters M-Z Quiz Practice Test your new skills Practice your new skills

5. Letters A-L The next slides will show a picture of each letter and a brief explanation. Each slide contains two letters Look at the picture and read the explanation. Make the sign with your own hand When you feel comfortable with the two letters on the slide you may click the forward button to the next two letters

6. A closed fist, all fingers folded against the palm, thumb is straight, alongside the index finger B All fingers are straight. Thumb is folded across palm A

7. Hand is turned slightly to the left so viewer can see backward "C" shape formed by thumb and index finger. Hand is turned slightly so viewer can see "d" shape formed by thumb, middle and index fingers C D

8. All fingers are partially folded with the tips of index, middle and ring fingers touching the thumb between the knuckle and the tip. E Tip of index finger is touching tip of thumb. Middle, ring and little fingers are straight and slightly spread F

9. Index finger and thumb make a pinching shape. Palm faces towards you. Ring and pinky finger fold against your palm with your thumb over it. Index and middle point straight out. H G

10. Index, middle and ring fingers are folded against palm. Thumb is folded across index middle and ring fingers. Pinky finger is straight. Hand shape is the same as letter I, but pinky moves to draw the letter J I J

11. Ring and Middle finger make a peace sign. Thumb sticks between the ring and middle finger Thumb and index finger form a 90 degree angle in an “L” position. All other fingers are down K L

12. Great Job! You have completed the lessons on letters A-L of the American Sign language Alphabet If you feel ready to move on to letters M-Z click to the next slide If you are uncomfortable with any of the letters A-L click back to the previous slides

13. Letters M-Z The next slides will show a picture of each letter and a brief explanation. Each slide contains two letters Look at the picture and read the explanation. Make the sign with your own hand When you feel comfortable with the two letters on the slide you may click the forward button to the next two letters

14. Make a fist with your thumb underneath your index, middle, and pinky finger Make a fist with your thumb underneath only your middle and pinky finger M N

15. Index and middle finger create a 90 degree angle facing down. Thumb touches middle finger All fingers come together and touch at finger tips, forming an “O” shape O P

16. Make the same hand shape as letter “G” and then tilt it so your pointer and thumb are facing the floor Cross your pointer and middle finger, the others bend against palm Q R

17. Make a fist shape with your thumb in between your pointer and middle finger facing up Make a fist with your thumb in front resting on your other fingers S T

18. Pointer and middle finger point up the rest stay against palm Same handshape as letter U, but pointr and middle finger spread apart and form a “v” shape U V

19. All fingers stay in a fist shape except the pointer finger which makes an arch shape. Index, middle, and ring finger point straight up. Pinky and thumb stay against palm W X

20. Point with your index finger and draw a “z” in the air. Pointer, middle, and ring finger fold on palm. Thumb and pinky stick straight out. Y Z

21. Great Job! You have completed the lessons on the alphabetical letters of the American Sign Language! Now you can spell your name, your parent’s names, and your friend’s names! Now you should practice your new skills by clicking to the next slide

22. Practice makes perfect! Click on the button that says alphabet video This button will bring you to a website that has a video of someone signing the alphabet Watch once, and play it a second time and try to sign along Alphabet Video

23. Practice! Sign your name four times using the ASL alphabet Sign your best friend’s name four times

24. More Practice Click the practice website button Practice Website When the website opens, click slow speed and maximum of 3 letters On the website someone will sign a word and you are to type in what they spelled Do ten words

25. Great Job Practicing! You now have completed the practice section of the ASL alphabet lesson If you feel you are not comfortable with the whole alphabet return to the previous practice slides If you are comfortable with the alphabet click to the next slide for a 3 question quiz

26. QUIZ Question #1 What letter is being shown? S L M

27. Quiz Question #2 What name does this spell? Bob Rob Bill

28. Question #3 What two letters in the American Sign Language Alphabet have movement to them? J and Z L and B K and P

29. Sorry that is the wrong answer Click the Try Again button Try Again

30. Correct! This is letter M! Click the Question#2 button to return to the quiz Question #2

31. Sorry that is the wrong answer Click the try again button Try Again

32. Correct! The letters are B-O-B This spells Bob! Click the Question #3 button to go back to the quiz Question #3

33. Sorry that is the wrong answer Click the try again button Try Again

34. Correct! J and Z both have movement to them! Click the forward arrow to see what is next

35. Congratulations! You have completed the lessons, practice, and quiz on the American Sign Language alphabet! Now you know the ASL alphabet and can sign numerous words! Click the arrow button to return to the beginning of the lesson