The Art of Sign Language

Before the meeting: 

1. Become familiar with American Sign Language. This video introduces 25 signs in American Sign Language and basic sentences and may provide some help.  
2. Learn how to sign your name in American Sign Language.  

During the meeting: 

1. Gather the Cub Scouts and adult partners and introduce yourself using American Sign Language (ASL.) 
2. Share with the Cub Scouts that sign language is a form of communication for those who are hard of hearing or deaf.  Unlike written words where we use letters to spell words, American Sign Language uses hand motions.  It’s like a very useful form of art as you paint words using your hands. 
3. Share with Cub Scouts that when introducing ourselves to one another, we will say our name. For the hearing impaired, names are typically spelled when first meeting someone. Demonstrate how to sign your name. 
4. Next, demonstrate how to say “Hi, I am (Name)”, “Thank you”, and “See you later”. 
5. Have Cub Scouts and adult partners practice signing their name and then move on to other phrases.